The Turkey is Real This Time, Too
President Barack Obama went for the defining television shot in Iraq and got it — pictures of hundreds of U.S. troops cheering wildly as he told them it was time for the Iraqis to take charge of their own future.
The war zone photo opportunity produced a stunning show of appreciation for Obama from military men and women who have made great sacrifices, many serving repeated tours in a highly unpopular war.
And the televised outpouring of affection likely will prove critical to the credibility of a new and liberal commander in chief as he tries to sell U.S. warriors and the American public on the grim prospects now facing them in Afghanistan.
Good for him. He should have gone, and he did go. I’m sure the troops were bucked up to see him.
Just like the last president, right?
Flashback: AP chief: Bush turned military into global propaganda machine.
The Bush administration turned the U.S. military into a global propaganda machine while imposing tough restrictions on journalists seeking to give the public truthful reports about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Oh yeah, the AP is big on “truthful reports”.
PS: Krauthammer’s useful distinction on the Iraq stop-over:
I think what he did was necessary, but in a way it was a way to undo what he did in Europe, where he referred to Iraq in one of his speeches as a distraction. If you have a loved one who died in Iraq or who is now risking a life in Iraq, and your commander in chief is calling the effort a distraction, it’s a bit of a blow.
You can say that again.