Obama To Visit Iraq Before The Election

[babylonsister]

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/obama_to_visit_iraq_before_the.php

Obama To Visit Iraq Before The Election
By Greg Sargent - June 16, 2008, 1:25PM

On the trail moments ago, Obama confirmed that he will be visiting Iraq before the November election:

The presumed Democratic presidential nominee said he spoke with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Monday about the war and told him he looks forward to seeing him in Baghdad.

Obama has said before he was considering a trip, but his comment to reporters Monday was his first firm declaration that he will be making the trip. He said more details will be announced shortly.

This of course will do nothing to stop the McCain/GOP attacks on Obama for not visiting the country, since reality has nothing to do with such stuff, but the news will certainly blunt any effects the attacks were having, if they were having any at all.

Either way, it'll be interesting to see how the campaign handles the timing, optics, and politics of the trip. We'll bring you more detail when we get it.

[anonymous171]

1. Obama should practice wearing military garb (flak jacket, helmet.) We can't have a Dukakis moment.

[beachmom]

4. All VIPs must wear those things, and it is a bit jarring seeing them outfitted that way.

They don't always look that great, but since it is necessary, I don't know how you get around it. What do you mean by practising? You put it on, and you do what the security detail tells you to do in order to stay safe.

[anonymous171]

5. He needs to look natural in it. I don't want him Dukakis'd

[Cha]

2. Be safe Obama and give them

hope. Wasn't there discrepancy when mccain was in Baghdad about him saying it was safe as he was wearing a helmet and the poor market was blown up?

mccain needs to shutup about Obama not being there yet like some school yard freakin' taunt.

[babylonsister]

3. I can't wait to see Obama in this kind of environment, and the

reactions he'll get. This is gonna be fun!

[Cha]

6. We so

deserve it and I mean the whole country whether some know it or not.