Spontaneous Bush

Surprise!!!
I love unexpected day trips. They keep life interesting.

Actually, President Bush's "surprise" trip to Baghdad today had been in the works for a while; but it was a well-kept secret.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- President Bush traveled to Iraq under exceptional security and secrecy _ even for a president who is pressing a war on terrorism.

Without notice, he left Camp David, Md., Monday night in a helicopter _ not the distinctive green and white one he usually uses _ and flew to Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington. He boarded Air Force One from the back rather than the front, wearing a ball cap, slacks and a shirt with no tie.

"The POTUS is on board," he called out, a term meaning President of the United States."

Eleven hours later, while the world and even most aides thought he was still at Camp David, he was landing in hazy daylight at Baghdad Airport and boarding a Black Hawk helicopter for the six-minute trip to the Green Zone. That short hop across a dangerous city _ skipping low over homes, mosques and palm trees _ was considered the most risky of the entire trip, a prime reason for all the secrecy in the previous hours.

"Good to see you," exclaimed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who had expected to be talking to Bush today in a videoconference to Camp David.

This is such a "Bush moment," surprising al-Maliki like that.

A June 2, 2006 New York Times article quoted al-Maliki as saying that violence against innocent civilians by American and coalition troops in Iraq is a "daily phenomenon." He claimed that the troops "do not respect the Iraqi people." He said that Americans "crush them with their vehicles and kill them just on suspicion."

I hope the President discusses that matter with al-Maliki.

How can the Iraqi people claim that the U.S. has no respect for the Iraqi people when President Bush himself visits them?

They can't.The Associated Press quotes Bush:

"I've come to not only look you in the eye. I've also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it keeps its word."

..."I have expressed our country's desire to work with you, but I appreciate you recognize the fact that the future of the country is in your hands."

"The decisions you and your cabinet make will determine as to whether or not your country succeeds, can govern itself, can defend itself, can sustain itself."

"I am impressed with the cabinet you have assembled."

White House Transcript

I am impressed with President Bush. Really impressed.
I wonder. Did David "WE HAVE BLACKBERRIES" Gregory know about Bush's trip? Was he one of the fourteen journalists sworn to secrecy about the Baghdad trek?

I hope so. Gregory blew a gasket when he didn't find out about Vice President Cheney's hunting accident within minutes of its occurrence.

This could destroy him if he was out of the loop on this one.