Bush in Iraq
NPR reporting he’s landed, enroute to an econmic summit in Australia. Web reports now coming in. Â
AP: He’s in Anbar, landed at Al-Asad.
CNN here, BBC here. More on-air from Beeb, currently reporting he’s expected to meet with al-Maliki and Sunni tribal leaders who’ve joined the United States and the Iraqi government against al-Qaeda. Condoleezza Rice and Stephen Hadley flew in with him. Robert Gates was waiting to meet him, along with al-Maliki and other top Iraqi pols. A major American-Iraqi leadership summit and symbolic moment ahead of this month’s debate in Congress.
NYT:
“He has assembled essentially his war cabinet here, and they are all convening with the Iraqi leadership to discuss the way forward,” said the Pentagon Press Secretary, Geoff Morrell. “This will be the last big gathering of the president before the president makes a decision on the way forward.”
…
Mr. Bush’s one-day stop at this desert air base in Anbar Province, underscored the administration intention as part of the strategy review to boost support for the Sunni region, where former insurgents are increasingly cooperating with American forces.
But the dramatic summit-like meeting also had a clear political goal — to shift the focus this away from Congress, where a series of hearings on reports critical of the progress of the administration strategy are planned, and to buttress White House claims that its efforts in Iraq are beginning to produce results.
Stroll through downtown Fallujah or Ramadi? Could happen, not likely. Would be a major, almost unprecedented move for a President of the United States. Madison exposed himself to British fire in the sacking of Washington, 1814, when he left the White House to check on American soldiers.* Slightly different circumstances. Do it, George.
Whether he does, whether he doesn’t, stay tuned for the mockery. Visit comes ahead of this month’s showdown in DC.Â
But forget the lefty walk mockfest. It’s Labor Day. Keep an eye out for fake hot dogs.**
* Can’t find Madison’s bravery on the Internet. Dolly Madison’s presence of mind under fire gets all the attention, and not undeservedly so. My kid found the account of James Madison under British fire in a library book and included it in his third-grade biography project. Another wartime president much despised in his time for a difficult war that had the effect of confirming the sovereignty of the United States and ending the British threat to Americans at home and abroad. Also gave us The Star-Spangled Banner and unlikely heroes such as Abigail and Rebecca Bates.
** Tim Blair’s exemplary fake turkey scholarship here.
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 7:57 am on Monday, September 3, 2007
13 Responses to “Bush in Iraq”
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September 3rd, 2007 at 9:53 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 10:10 am
Hi, Jules–
Abraham Lincoln was under fire at the Battle of Fort Stevens (during Jubal Early’s campaign) on 11 July, 1864. While Lincoln was taking a peek over the rampart as the Minie balls whistled overhead, Oliver Wendell Holmes said “Get down you Goddamned fool!”
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:32 am
Would be a major, almost unprecedented move for a President of the United States.
And would win the hearts and minds of Iraqis forever. But it’s probably not a good idea.
Thanks for the link to the Bates daughters. I’d never heard that story before.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:41 am
Bush Goes to Iraq, Left Seethes
I imagine if he just flew over Iraq on his way to Australia, these twits would say he doesn’t care about the troops. Well, President Bush stops and visits Anbar, and they whine like babies anyway.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:54 am
[...] Jules Crittenden has a roundup. [...]
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:55 am
[...] roundup at Jules Crittenden [Print This Post] [permalink] [Trackback [...]
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:01 pm
[...] Crittenden has the roundup, as well as a pre-emptive strike against rubber turkey propagandists in case anyone so inclined [...]
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:07 pm
[...] at Outside the Beltway, Captain’s Quarters and The Newshoggers. Also be sure to visit Forward Movement and Wake Up [...]
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Walter Lord’s history of the War of 1812, The Dawn’s Early Light, gives a excellent account of the battle of Bladensburg. President Madison was indeed on the scene, under fire, and nearly captured. He declined to exercise his constitutional authority as Commander in Chief stating that military matters should be handled by military men. James Monroe, who, as Secretary of State and out of the chain of command, did take spontaneous tactical command of a segment of the battle line, alas to no avail as the British won the day and marched on to Washington to sack the town.
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Reflections In A Bloodshot Eye
Hot Air: “The military’s showing me what they want me to see, says Couric”. Katie, CBS’s reputation precedes you. When dealing with a network that makes its bones attempting to nuke presidents (Cronkite versus Johnson, Dan Rather versus every Republ…
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:53 pm
George Washington was not President yet, but he was called His Excellency when he lead troops into battle against the British.
I think Bush showed some courage going over there. Needless to say the left will mock. After all that is all they are good for.
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:09 pm
[...] to Jammie Wearing Fool and Jules Crittenden for additional sources. Much more at [...]
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Happy Labor Day: Bush in Anbar!
The President visits the former Sunni “heart of darkness” …