Obama spokesman: "We weren't going to have wounded men & women become involved in a campaign event"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Obama Camp: Visit to Troops Would Have Seemed Too Political
by FOXNews.com
Friday, July 25, 2008

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/07/25/obama-cancels-visit-to-us-troops-in-germany/

Barack Obama was not prohibited from visiting U.S. troops at military facilities in Germany, but it would have been awkward.

That was the suggestion from both the Obama campaign and the military Friday, after the Illinois senator drew criticism from Republicans for canceling his scheduled visits while in Europe.

Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday the campaign was initially given clearance to land at Ramstein Air Base, but were told by the Pentagon Wednesday that the trip “would be viewed as a campaign stop.”

Obama also had plans to visit the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Gibbs said on the flight from Tel Aviv to Germany, Obama made the call not to go.

“Senator Obama made the decision that we were not going to have wounded men and women become involved in a campaign event or what would be perceived as a campaign event,” Gibbs said.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told FOX News the Pentagon did not tell Obama he couldn’t visit, but explained that he would be under specific restrictions.

“We do have certain policy guidelines for political campaigns and elections and what is appropriate and what is not appropriate in those situations,” he said. “The issue here is that if you are both a sitting senator and a political candidate … you need to do it in your capacity as a sitting senator or you have to do it with the restrictions that apply to any other candidate out there that might be running for office that is not a sitting senator.”

[NYC_SKP]

1. He'd have been smeared. Smart move.

He'd be damned if he didn't visit them and accused of exploiting a photo op if he did.

Another lose-lose set-up, skillfully avoided.

He reportedly made a few phone calls instead.

One sharp cookie, that Obama!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

2. It was absolutely the smart thing to do.

Whatever fallout will come from the Hannitys and Limbaughs asking "Why does Obama hate out troops," it will be nothing compared to the mud that would have been slung if he'd made the visit.

:patriot:

[speedoo]

4. "He reportedly made a few phone calls instead."

Can you elaborate?

[NYC_SKP]

10. Here: "Obama phones wounded soldiers"...

From NBC's Jim Miklaszewski

Obama made phone calls to wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Germany this morning, in lieu of a personal visit to the forces that was canceled by the Obama campaign.

Obama was expected to speak to a number of soldiers individually.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/07/25/1222409.aspx

[speedoo]

11. Ah, thanks. Well done, Senator Obama. nt

[onenote]

3. he should have insisted on a "no-press coverage" visit, so there'd be no photos

And if the press yelped about it, then cancel.

Its not a big deal the way it was handled, but there might have been a somewhat better way.

[Doctor_J]

5. Why do so many DUers post links from Fox News?

:shrug:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

6. Are you asking me directly, or posting the question as if I'm invisible?

And as soon as you find a DUer qualified to elaborate on the intentions of everyone else posting here, let me know. That kind of mind reader probably has some amazing stock tips.

[hiaasenrocks]

9. Get over yourself.

[Barack_America]

7. McCain, OTOH has no qualms with such things...

McCain praises Colombia's drug interdiction

By Chris Kraul, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
July 3, 2008
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA -- Fresh from a ride on a fast boat used to chase narcotics traffickers, John McCain on Wednesday praised this nation's efforts to crack down on its illicit drug trade.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee, on the second day of a Latin American tour, also continued touting a proposed free-trade pact between the United States and Colombia that faces stiff Democratic opposition in Congress.

-snip-

McCain also visited a Colombian naval hospital in Cartagena. He talked with, and pinned medals on, three Colombian soldiers who lost limbs to land mines.

-snip-

And lest you doubt that this was 100% a campaign trip

The economic focus of McCain's trip was repeatedly underscored, however, with McCain as well as his traveling companions and campaign supporters, Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), all emphasizing the potential benefits of a free-trade agreement with the Colombian government.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-mccain3-2008jul03,0,1198079.story

But, you know, they weren't American soldiers, so it's perfectly fine to exploit them for political advantage. :eyes:

[Virginia Dare]

8. Neither does his good bud, the shrub..

[indie_voter]

12. But TPM said the Pentagon said this:

"We informed the Obama staff that he was more than welcome to visit as Senator Obama, with Senate staff. However, he could not conduct the visit with campaign staff," a Pentagon spokesperson tells EC.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/205654.php