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Sen. Joe Biden, unidentified U.S. official, Sen. Chuck Hagel and Sen. Richard Lugar in Iraq, 2004. AP Photo/Bullit Marquez
by Christi Parsons
Nothing suggests authority on Iraq war policy like the anecdote that begins, "When I was in Anbar province the other day . . . "
That's why so many members of Congress are traveling to the war zone this summer, in anticipation of a stepped-up debate set to begin in September.
But when the leading presidential candidates talk about what's going on in Iraq, very few are speaking from recent eyes-on experience.
In fact, the passport stamps break down pretty much like this: the veteran members of the Senate have been several times. The newcomers have been less often.
And those candidates who aren't sitting members of Congress are having a hard time getting to Iraq at all, because the right of travel accrues mainly to those with the ability to go as part of a congressional delegation.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who has been to Iraq six times, says his travel has been important to "inform my opinions with facts."
Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), a seven-time visitor since 2002, has said the trips showed problems that he wasn't hearing about in military reports.
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) has been to Iraq three times, most recently in January.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has been once.
Aides to John Edwards, a former member of the Senate, and Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor, say they'd like to go but that they've had a hard time setting it up.
They may yet pull it off, of course, and others may visit Iraq between now and September. Citing security concerns, most of the campaigns declined to discuss pending travel plans.
Comments
Gimme a break. Who believes that these drive by, nickel tours that politicians receive on their visits to Iraq do any thing. We saw what happened when Saint McCain took a leisurely Sunday stroll through the local flea market and came back with glowing reports about how safe Iraq is. If they want to really give us some meaningful insight let them bunk down in the hot sand for a couple of months and go on night patrols along treacherous roads. Isn't that a great photo of four senior citizens on a stroll to the golf course?
Posted by: GW | August 22, 2007 9:57 AM
If Rudy goes, will he come back and claim he's spent as much time or more in Iraq as the troops?
Posted by: Tony | August 22, 2007 11:02 AM
GW,
Although individual politicians may have ulterior motives, it does however demonstrate to the troops that we're paying attention.
When I was active duty there was the occasional dog and pony stuff but we figured it was better than nothing.
Also, in the case of these three senators all of them to one degree or another have been turning up the heat on Dubya to get his Iraqi crap together.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 22, 2007 11:17 AM
Having politicians touring Iraq is as useful as getting an unbiased press release from Tony Snow.
Posted by: RomanB | August 22, 2007 11:37 AM
Our mission has been accomplished in Iraq. It's time for the (puppet, corrupt, and powerless) Iraqi government to step up and handle things now AND for our troops to be redeployed.
Posted by: Doug R. | August 22, 2007 11:47 AM
Cristi, where is a 2007 picture of the senator/congress persons with their protective gear on....you know the helmet and bullet proof vest?????
Posted by: jerri | August 22, 2007 12:25 PM
Yes friends, freedom and democracy are on the march. Just look at the freedoms we have:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082101662.html?hpid=topnews
This sounds exactly like something they would do in North Korea or Argentina. I despise those regimes. Why is the Republican party allowing this to happen? What happened to the 1st Amendment?
Posted by: jethro | August 22, 2007 12:27 PM
"SHOCKING, SHOCKING, SHOCKING, COME ON MS. PARSONS WE COULD HAVE CHOSEN A BETTER PICTURE FOR SUCH A NOBLE CAUSE."
IT'S AS THOUGH THINGS ARE PEACHY KING ON THE STREETS OF BAGHDAD. WHEN WE ALL KNOW 14 PEOPLE DIED YESTERDAY. ITS NOT A DIRECT ATTACK BECAUSE YOU ARE AN AWESOME JOURNALIST. AWESOME BUT THE PICTURE COULD HAVE DEPICTED SOMETHING A BIT LESS WRECKLESS!
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 22, 2007 1:29 PM
I love how politicians think people won't vote for them unless they visit Iraq, when Iraq war veterans like Tammy Duckworth get defeated in elections.
Posted by: Paul | August 22, 2007 1:29 PM
Those trips to Iraq are dog & pony shows, just ask John McCain.
Posted by: John E | August 22, 2007 1:32 PM
Hillary in Iraq? She never got beyond the mess tent according to the photo ops at the time.
Posted by: Devon | August 22, 2007 1:39 PM
I hate the war, I say the no war and came down the peace of Iraq.
Posted by: Attin | August 23, 2007 1:28 AM
"Unidentified U.S. official" for president.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | August 23, 2007 11:45 AM