The Political Chase

Bush visits Iraq - so what?

President Bush, Condoleezza Rice, and Robert Gates made a surprise visit to Iraq today to “meet with Gen. Petraeus and top Iraqi officials.”

Why?

The dramatic summit-like meeting also had a clear political goal ? to shift the focus this week 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. (Emphasis added.)

As I noted last week, Bush met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to “hear their views on Iraq and the path forward for the U.S. military.” And Bush’s statement to the press immediately after that meeting is worth repeating.

The stakes in Iraq are too high and the consequences too grave for our security here at home to allow politics to harm the mission of our men and women in uniform. (Emphasis added.)

Bush just met with Petraeus via video-conference last week to discuss the pending reports to Congress. But in spite of that meeting, Bush has to have a face-to-face meeting at the most dangerous location on the planet that includes the two top members of his cabinet?

I suppose I’m way too cynical, because this appears to me to serve two purpose. First, I fully expect Bush to say in the next few days, “I went to Iraq and saw the conditions on the ground. I have met with all the military leaders,” and blah, blah, blah. All lines he’s used before, deceitfully I might add, to say he is adhering to the advice of the military experts. Meeting, and listening has absolutely nothing to do with accepting advice given.

Second, it’s a perfect opportunity to exploit the media to polish his claim of “intensive, strategic” meetings. Let’s look at the New York Times’ photo covering The Decider’s landing.

Are they at Grand Lido in Negril or in Iraq? Could Norman Rockwell have done any better? Click the image for an enlarged view.

No flack jackets, no security in sight, no helmets, etc. How many times have we seen senior administration officials absent any protection. The last time Cheney went to Iraq, which was recently, he had so much protective gear on under his clothing, he looked like a fully-packed suicide bomber.

Any bets on how long it will be before Bush starts thumping his fist on a podium and says he’s been to Iraq, has seen the conditions there, and he’s met with all the military leaders?

Late update:

No monkey business here. All serious work.

President Bush looks at a map of Iraq during a briefing upon his arrival in Anbar province. (Reuters)