http://www.politico.com/playbook/Capitol Hill aides tell Playbook that as part of a new White House offensive to enlist support on Iraq, all senators and select House members (100 to 150) have been invited to the Pentagon today for a pair of videoconference briefings by Army Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, and Ryan Crocker, the U.S ambassador to Iraq.
Lawmakers will be taken across the river by bus, with House members getting the early session and senators going right after them. The lawmakers will get the chance to ask questions. Later in the morning, Crocker will appear by videoconference at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Democratic aides downplayed the trip, with one saying, "They do these periodically."
LOOK FOR: Reporters to check how the turnout was for the field trip, especially among Democrats. If it’s spotty, look for Republicans to say the majority has its mind made up and doesn’t care about the facts.
ECHO EFFECT: In a critique that you're going to hear more of from Republicans, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told CNN's Wolf Blitzer yesterday: "I think many of my Democratic friends have already made up their minds. They don't care what the facts are. They want to get us out of there immediately, no matter what the consequences. I think most Republicans are interested in the facts."
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