Obama: Trip tied to issues back home

As Barack Obama traipses across Europe, some critics and commentators have wondered aloud about whether his popularity across the pond might backfire back home -- whether the adoring crowds in Berlin will be matched by votes in Berlin, N.H., and Berlin, Pa.

He was asked on CNN this afternoon about the connection between the trip and the issues facing the nation he wants to lead: "What’s the message to Americans? Because if they’re sitting back there going, what is my foreclosure on my house, the gas prices, have to do with him giving a speech in Berlin?"

"Well, it’s very specific, if we have more NATO troops in Afghanistan, then that’s potentially fewer American troops over the long term, which means that we’re spending fewer billions of dollars, which means we can invest those billions of dollars and making sure that we’re providing tax cuts to middle class families who are struggling with higher gas prices," Obama replied.

"If we’ve got serious commitments from Europeans to deal with these energy issues in the same ways that we need to deal with them, that will have an impact on our economy. Issues of trade, issues of the economy -- all these issues are now connected in this globalized economy," he added.

"But I also wouldn’t underestimate the degree to which people in Ohio or people in Michigan or people in Missouri recognize that our long-term safety and our long-term security is going to depend on how we can interact with key allies, and you know, it’s amazing how I often I get questions from people about, where are going to be able to reassert respect in the world? And that’s part of the message that we’re sending here."