Obama Visits Iraq

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama arrived in Iraq this morning for talks with Iraqi officials and U.S. commanders. It is Obama's second trip to Iraq, following a visit in 2006.

His arrival follows a weekend visit to Afghanistan, part of a overseas trip for the Illinois senator that will include other stops in the Middle East and Europe. Sandra Endo in Washington with more.

BARACK OBAMA FOCUSING ON THE WAR... HE ARRIVED IN IRAQ TODAY AFTER A VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN. HE SAYS MILITARY FOCUS SHOULD SHIFT AWAY FROM THE CONTROVERSIAL WAR IN IRAQ.

The situation is precarious and urgent here in afghanistan. And I believe this has to be our central focus, the central front on our battle against terrorism.

OVER THE WEEKEND OBAMA MET WITH U.S. TROOPS AND AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI. HIS TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND EUROPE IS AIMED AT PUSHING HIS MESSAGE AND BOLSTERING HIS FOREIGN POLICY PROFILE. OBAMA WON OVER AT LEAST ONE SOLDIER IN AFGHANISTAN.

He is in tune with the people and the great part is that he took time out of his schedule to come visit us.

OBAMA HAS CAMPAIGNED ON THE PROMISE TO END THE WAR IN IRAQ IF ELECTED PRESIDENT... PULLING OUT COMBAT TROOPS WITHIN 16-MONTHS OF TAKING OFFICE. A PLAN REPUBLICAN RIVAL JOHN MCCAIN IS CRITICIZING AS NAIVE.

MCCAIN PRAISES PRESIDENT BUSH'S SURGE TACTIC...SAYING IT HAS WORKED IN IRAQ AND SERVES AS A MODEL and it's precisely the success of the surge in iraq that shows us the way to victory over the taliban.

SANDRA TAG: AFTER VISITING IRAQ, OBAMA IS SCHEDULED TO GO TO JORDAN, ISRAEL, GERMANY, FRANCE AND ENGLAND. IN WASHINGTON, I'M SANDRA ENDO.