"I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere. Thanks for inviting me."

President Bush made a surprise Thanksgiving visit to American troops in Baghdad Thursday, flying secretly to violence-scarred Iraq on a trip tense with concerns about his safety.
It was the first trip ever by an American president to Iraq.
In a ruse staged in the name of security, the White House had put out word that Bush would be spending Thanksgiving at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, with his wife, Laura, his parents and other family members. Even the dinner menu was announced.
Instead, Bush slipped away from his home without notice Wednesday evening and flew to Washington to pick up aides and a handful of reporters sworn to secrecy. Plans called for the trip to be abandoned if word had leaked out in advance.
That is just cool.
UPDATE: I know I shouldn't have looked here, but my curiosity got the best of me. Now, I'm sorry I did. My appetite has been ruined. Meanwhile, I have nothing but praise for Hilary Clinton for spending Thanksgiving in Afghanistan. Couldn't expect the same from the nuts over at DU.
Comments
It's VERY cool. And I bet the moonbats are already carping about how it was all just a big publicity stunt. By tomorrow, some jackass Democrat legislator will be all over tv demanding to know how much it all cost the taxpayers.
Posted by: dave | November 27, 2003 02:18 PM
Way cool! Bravo!
Posted by: John Thompsen | November 27, 2003 02:25 PM
I thought it was good war psychology. To go to Iraq to celebrate a quintessentially American secular holiday - what better way to say "Baathists? Terrorism? That's soooooo 2001..."
Posted by: perletwo | November 27, 2003 03:53 PM
Oorah! Hilary!
It's a stand tall thing for her to do. I'm sure the troops appreciate it.
Posted by: bobh | November 27, 2003 03:56 PM
Happy Thanksgiving :)
Posted by: Annmarie | November 27, 2003 04:15 PM
It is very cool. I walked by my TV when Sky posted it suddenly and then had to turn around and look again. I mean, it's wonderful and all, but... well, it's either a very brave move or a very stupid one. We'll see tomorrow.
Posted by: Chrissy | November 27, 2003 05:08 PM
What a bunch of IDIOTS at DU. Show of hands - how many people knew Hillary was in Afganistan ?
Yeah, thought so. The president really needs to risk his life to go to Iraq to counter a move NOBODY knows about. That is the most asinine thing I've ever heard.
My favorite quote there was that this is a "4th quarter desperation move". I'm assuming that refers to the upcoming election. Only "minor" problems with that theory are 1) Bush would MOP THE FLOOR with whatever nimrod the Dems nominate, and 2) the damn election is a YEAR away, thus making it the "1st" quarter. Man what a bunch of lunatics.
Posted by: Sherard | November 27, 2003 06:58 PM
Wish you hadn't suggested the DU peek...man, it's been a long time since I've seen that many bitter people.
Hey, me and Sen. Clinton wouldn't agree on much, but I can't see anything wrong with her maknig a trip halfway around the world to see the troops. It's commendable.
Same for President Bush. They are performing brilliantly and deserve the attention and recognition from the Commander in Chief. Good for him.
Happy t-day y'all. My Cowboys are getting stuffed right now...
Dave
Posted by: Dave in Texas | November 27, 2003 07:15 PM
I always said Hillary had more balls than her husband.
Posted by: Jeff | November 27, 2003 07:18 PM
With this visit, President Bush became the first president to simultaneously visit Iraq and turkey.
;)
Posted by: ScottC | November 27, 2003 07:37 PM
"You are who are about to die, we feed you" - Bush is like Caesar with a jet.
Posted by: sean | November 27, 2003 07:58 PM
That is cool, it's too bad the troops had to be in iraq for thanksgiving and not safely at home.
Posted by: Amanda | November 27, 2003 08:45 PM
There are more subtle coolneses here...
The fact that the POTUS did not announce his visit saved the enlisted types from the pre-VIP hell of days spent cleaning heads, polishing brass, and getting the uniforms just so. Since I got called up I've learned that VIP visits are major increases in workload. While the security advantages are obvious, rest assured that the enlisted types TRUELY appreciate the lack of warning :)
The fact that he just showed up and then handed out Turkey and "vittles" gave the troops a genuine treat without the aggrivation and the symbolic act of feeding the troops sends an important and positive message.
The speech rocked too...
Oh, and I'm not looking at DU 'till Friday cause I'm off duty this weekend and it won't matter if I'm all bent out of shape.
BTW Michelle, fine, funny and creative posts lately, I think I'm a barking moonbat righty, but I really like your Blog.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Ken T | November 27, 2003 08:55 PM
I thought that Bush going to Iraq was a great thing. It made me tear up as I listened on the radio while driving home from Thanksgiving dinner.
Bush does have a natural connection with "guys", and that's a good thing. I can't imagine Gore going to 9-11 to talk to the firemen, or talking to soldiers, and having either group be excited about it.
Posted by: snore | November 27, 2003 09:08 PM
I heard Bush was gonna swing by the 'stan and offer hillery a ride home but his Steward complained. He claimed it took him 2 years to gather up a set of matched silverware and he didn't want to lose it so soon.
919
Posted by: ableiter | November 27, 2003 09:35 PM
According to some news accounts, this mission has been in the works since August. Only 5 people on the ground in Baghdad knew Bush is coming (Ambassador Bremer and General Sanchez are two who knew). Since the missiong is always been planned for Thanksgiving, Clinton will just have to blame her booker for getting her spotlight taken away.
Posted by: BigFire | November 27, 2003 10:05 PM
Fucking moonbats. I almost read that stuff, but then decided I'd rather enjoy my Thanksgiving. ;-)
Posted by: Dean Esmay | November 27, 2003 10:36 PM
The big difference I see here is that even the people who are critical of Hillary are not hoping she dies in the air.
What does that say about the quality of humanity of those here, and those over at DU?
Posted by: datarat | November 27, 2003 10:41 PM
I was just upset that he interrupted my dinner.
I was barred from the DFAC until late last night. I had a Turkey MRE instead.
Posted by: David Earney | November 27, 2003 11:59 PM
So a contractor had to eat an MRE. shrug
Posted by: Lee | November 28, 2003 12:39 AM
I've said it befoere, and I'll say it again - the DU has the same staure for liberals that the Christian Coalition has for conservatives. A bunch of whiny little fuckers.
Posted by: Joseph J. Finn | November 28, 2003 01:01 AM
Please see also this.
Posted by: Francis W. Porretto | November 28, 2003 08:07 AM
Show of hands - how many people knew Hillary was in Afganistan ?
Darn liberal media....
(FTR, it was in the New York papers on Tuesday.)
Posted by: Thlayli | November 28, 2003 08:11 AM
Bush and his minions were in Iraq only to ceremoniously pick up the first check from the stolen oil and consficated land. They also flew low to pick off ragheads because he wanted to get in on the fun.
Why were there no African-Americans in that hand-picked dinner sham?
Posted by: Bob | November 28, 2003 11:15 AM
What I can't figure is why Bob went to the trouble of copy-and-pasting that silly-ass comment into multiple blogs.
Posted by: Charlie | November 28, 2003 11:46 AM
What I can't figure is why Bob went to the trouble of copy-and-pasting that silly-ass comment into multiple blogs.
So that everyone can see what a stupid jackass he is?
One of the things I love most about President Bush, is his ability to make Dimocrats nuts. Okay, they were already nuts, but Dubya makes them go apeshit in public, where everyone can see it.
Riyadh delenda est!
Posted by: Cato the Youngest | November 28, 2003 12:17 PM
Cato, it might just be my favorite thing about Bush. You can actually see them banging their head against the wall in frustration. I shouldn't enjoy it
but I do.
Posted by: Dave in Texas | November 28, 2003 12:56 PM
I am very happy, to find a site like this. I hope
that i can learn a lot for my children. Many greatings from germany.
Ben
Posted by: Zweiteinkommen | November 28, 2003 01:47 PM
Michele, I told you you couldn't stay away that long.
Posted by: Crank | November 29, 2003 01:01 AM
Bob, look at the pictures, bro.
Oh, he couldn't see and brothers because they are soldiers and airmen and don't count.
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