Obama Overseas Tour Overshadowing McCain Campaign AMES, IA (kuni) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's Middle East tour has captured the media's attention and left Republican challenger John McCain struggling for press, according to Iowa State University political science professor Steffen Schmidt, speaking on "Talk@12" on Iowa Public Radio.

"McCain has been left on the sidelines" by the media, Schmidt said.

On a recent campaign stop in New Hampshire, McCain was greeted by only one reporter, according to New Hampshire radio and television talk show host Arnie Arnesen.

"The problem for John McCain is that he's old. He's an old story," Arnesen said.

To win back press coverage, McCain may soon announce his vice presidential pick, according to Schmidt.

"I think McCain needs to do something dramatic," Schmidt said.

"Before this week is over, [McCain] may make an announcement, and it may be... somebody not conventional," he added.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina may be top unconventional VP picks for McCain, according to Schmidt and Arnesen. Jindal has publicly stated he will not accept a vice presidential nomination.

Despite major coverage of Obama's overseas trip by national media, mainstream voters may not be paying attention to the Senator's travels, according to Schmidt.

"I'm not sure that by November of this year, this trip will have affected a large enough numbers of voters. The summer is the doldrums, and most people are vacationing or working or checking out gas prices," Schmidt said. © Copyright 2009, kuni