Odds And Ends -- Trippin'

As the dog days of summer descend and a pre-convention lull in the action settles in, both candidates are heading abroad to beef up their foreign policy creds and show the nation and the world that they have the stature (read gravitas) to be president.

Barack Obama's campaign announced over the weekend that he will travel to France, Germany, Israel, Jordan and the United Kingdom to speak with those nations' leaders about terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change, among other matters. For security reasons, dates haven't been released. Note also that Iraq isn't on the itinerary.

Obama on the journey: “This trip will be an important opportunity for me to assess the situation in countries that are critical to American national security, and to consult with some of our closest friends and allies about the common challenges we face. Israel is a strong and close friend of the United States, and is confronting grave threats from Gaza to Tehran. Jordan has been a close partner in the peace process and a host of other issues of common concern. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are key anchors of the transatlantic alliance and have contributed to the mission in Afghanistan, and I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our partnership in the years to come. This will be an important opportunity to have an exchange of views with leaders in these countries about these and other issues that are critical to American national security -- and global security -- in the 21st century.”

John McCain, meanwhile, heads to Mexico and Colombia this week to talk trade and drug policy.

McCain also met over the weekend with evangelical leader Billy Graham and his son, Franklin. NBC/NJ's Matthew Berger's report is available after the jump. On Call Aside -- Neither endorsed the GOP nom ...

In Sunshine State news, McCain announced his Hispanic leadership team. Honorary state co-chairs: Sen. Mel Martinez, and Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and Mario Diaz-Balar. tLatinos compose 17% of FL's pop.

John McCain met Sunday with evangelical leader Billy Graham and his son Franklin, discussing his experience during the Vietnam War and praying for "God's will to be done in the upcoming election."

"I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Billy Graham and his son Franklin," McCain said after the meeting in Asheville, N.C. "We had a very excellent conversation, I appreciated the opportunity to visit with him. Reverend Billy Graham recalled that during the Vietnam War when I was in prison he visited my parents in Hawaii twice, and he and my father and mother prayed together for me, and I expressed my appreciation for that a long time ago."

The 45-minute meeting was expected to be just with Franklin, who is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. But the frail elder Graham attended as well.

"My father and I were pleased to have an opportunity to meet and visit with Sen. John McCain today," Franklin Graham said in a statement. "Sen. McCain's office had requested a meeting in recent months, and we appreciate the effort he made to travel to my father's home. The senator and I both have sons currently serving in the military, and also have a common interest in aviation. I was impressed by his personal faith and his moral clarity on important social issues facing America today."

The candidate and evangelical leaders reflected on McCain's time in Vietnam, when McCain's father invited Billy Graham to Honolulu to pray for the captured McCain. Franklin Graham said the group "had an opportunity to pray for the senator and his family, and for God's will to be done in this upcoming election."

Speaking to reporters at Asheville Regional Airport, McCain said he asked for the meeting because the Grahams have known of him and his family for years.

"They're great leaders of this nation," he said. "I appreciate the opportunity to, to visit with them, and I am very grateful for the time they spent with me."

Asked how Billy Graham looked, McCain said "fine, fine."

McCain also met country music singer Ricky Scaggs, who had lunch with the Grahams and arrived early to meet the presidential candidate. They chatted and shook hands in the driveway as McCain was leaving.

McCain also said he would be "surprised" if the United States was sending troops and personnel to Iran, as has been recently reported. McCain said he had no information about that.

(NBC/NJ's MATTHEW BERGER)