Via CNN: Bush makes surprise visit to Iraqi air base
President Bush arrived at an air base west of Baghdad Monday on an unannounced visit, the White House said.
He plans to meet face-to-face with top military commanders, the U.S. ambassador, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and provincial tribal leaders. It is the president’s third trip to Iraq.
[...]
The president was spirited out of the White House late Sunday and driven to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Sixteen hours before he was scheduled to leave for the summit, Bush boarded Air Force One as it sat in a hanger and the aircraft departed after dark.
While the White House made a big deal about the use of an airbase in Anbar as a landing point, the real symbolism is that even after all these years, it still isn’t safe enough for the President to visit without it being a secret.
Update: James Joyner is likewise unimpresed:
My guess is that the time when publicity stunts like this could have much impact on the debate has long past. When the president went for that Thanksgiving visit in 2003, it was greeted with euphoria, generating a substantial amount of good buzz. At this point, though, it may just come across as desperate.It also serves as another example of presidents using the troops, especially those deployed to war, as political props. It’s a time honored tradition, going back to at least Harry Truman, but one that raises questions of politicization of the military.
I think that that is right on all counts.
Sphere: Related Content
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:53 am
President Bush Visits Iraq
President Bush arrived at Asad air base in Anbar province Monday to meet with top military commanders, the U.S. ambassador, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and provincial tribal leaders: The president stopped in Iraq en route to an economic summit …
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:48 am
[...] For an alternate view: Steven Taylor and James Joyner are unimpressed. [Print This Post] [permalink] [Trackback URI] [...]
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:07 am
[...] As Dr. Steven Taylor points out, one should also pay attention to the sad fact that even in 2007, four years after the start of the war, the American president can only visit Iraq secretly. Having said that, one cannot realistically expect the surge to work that fast and that well. [...]
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:14 pm
or more aptly titled:
“Karl’s Last Hoo’rah”
We all understand the traditional roles a President must play, but this is the first administration to perversely dress up each event into pure unbelievable propoganda.
I just caught the “Breaking News” preface to Bush’s ‘Live from Iraq’ speech and saw this sadly staged introduction:
A young African American male at the podium, calling out to pre-staged audience groups representing each of the armed services, and all forced to answer back with the well known call of the Marines, ‘hoo’rah’.
Well that will surely boost the moral of the Navy and the Army!
But, who cares about ..traditions. Right?
The African American’s males next script is to read a speech he’s obviously not at all familiar with. Beginning with a quote from…Ronald Reagen. Not someone most of the troops, especially African Americans, would choose to idolize.
It then descended into … we love our jobs..
we’re making progress.. etc. etc. and more of the same etc.
That poor serviceman is probably about to have his tour extended, again.
But, the show must go on,