McCain makes unexpected visit to Iraq

[tpsbmam]

Source: AP

Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party's presumptive nominee for president, arrived in Baghdad on Sunday for an surprise visit with Iraqi and American diplomatic and military leaders, a U.S. official said.

A defiant supporter of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and President Bush's troop increase last year, McCain has touted last year's drop in sectarian violence as a turning point in five-year war.

The details of his visit were not being released for security reasons. The trip was not announced, and he was believed to have been in the country for several hours before reporters were able to confirm his presence.

"Senator McCain is in Iraq and will be meeting with Iraqi and U.S. officials," said Mirembe Nantongo, spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080316/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_mccain;_ylt=A9G_Rz6G_9xHZTQAJh6s0NUE

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Feeling presidential, already?

Trying on the shoes of CIC.

[liberal N proud]

2. You ever noticed these trips are always "unexpected"

Like they are going to announce the visit of a candidate for President to a war zone.

[Supersedeas]

8. Condi must have put tons of planning into this -- think our US Generals get the message?

[ohio2007]

13. maybe Hillary should announce a fact finding trip and schedule it for mid July ?

Of course, that would get a surge in US GI deaths.....
/sarc

[santamargarita]

3. Did McBush bring his rubber Turkey? Another Political Stunt!

I hope he stays there and the troops leave!

[anniebelle]

4. How is it the president of Iran can travel freely in Iraq?

When anyone of our "ambassadors of freedom" visit, it's in the dead of night, in secret and so clandestine. What was this loss of American treasure making our interests safer? Hmmmmmmmmmmm?

[stellanoir]

5. One time during one of these publicity stunts more than 80 people were killed in the market

he had visited on the following day as a reprisal for their complicity.

I wish he'd just stay there for "100 years."

[fasttense]

6. Using the American military as a backdrop for his political campaign.

That is just so bush like.

[Supersedeas]

7. CONDI and the WH get involved in '08 US Elections--do Dems get a fact finding mission too?

[humbled_opinion]

9. Wouldn't it set the stage if Obama did the same...

Just my Opinion.

[Oleladylib]

10. I don't think this is what it's all about.

[Oleladylib]

11. The Red, White and Bluers are waving their flags, folks and all

persons having influential power towards our candidates need to program an end game..a surprise if you will, where we can battle the true opponent..McCain, War, Occupation!

[ohio2007]

12. Cheney heading to Mideast

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080316/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cheney

It's the economy stupd !


Iraq has to pump more oil into the world supply and take back thier own security while Cheny threatens our friends that this Iraq situation is going to happen if THEY don't do something about lowering the price to western europe. ( we get our crude from this hemisphere of course )

[Tab]

14. Ah yes, good Republicans all

He's accompanied by Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Have a nice stroll, John?

Speaking of taxpayer dollars, wouldn't it have been cheaper to go to Indiana in the summertime?

[bemildred]

15. "Unexpected" visits are so much safer. nt

[BentleyJD]

16. Looking for some new carpets?

As far as I'm concerned, he can stay there.

[choie]

17. goddamn disgusting

using the troops to further his campaign? What a piece of shit..

[alfredo]

18. His plane's left turn signal was on all the way over there.

[FVZA_Colonel]

19. And of course he's gonna come back and say the surge is working, the government is making progress,

and the hacks in the media will paint him to be some kind of hero for going over there while being a presidential candidate (nevermind, of course, that even David Petraeus is saying the Iraqi government is coming along quickly enough.) It's a fucking publicity stunt.

[fshrink]

20. Hello!? I'm here!

That's going to be his number 1 problem.

[scarface2004]

21. i dare him to visit the east side of detroit!

i would be impressed if he ran naked through sadr city