U.S. Troops Across Iraq Cheer Surprise Bush Visit

Wired News ^ | November 27, 2003 | Dean Yates

[Ex-Dem]

TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. soldiers throughout Iraq were in high spirits on Thursday after President Bush made an out-of-the-blue, morale-boosting visit to Baghdad on Thanksgiving Day.

"That is absolutely awesome," said Sergeant Aaron Hildernbrandt, from Claremont, Florida, as he watched news of Bush's 2-1/2 hour swing-through on television in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit.

[sgtbono2002]

I havent seen this on the news , Football games I guess.

[Allegra]

"I think that shows real personal courage," said his companion Sergeant Gilbert Nail of Oklahoma, both of whom had just returned from a patrol through Saddam Hussein's hometown.

Yep.

What a guy!

[secretagent]

I saw it twice on the news, with short excerpts of his remarks. He looked sharp.

Said no way would the US back down to the thugs behind the bombs.

[Ex-Dem]

This is first you've heard of his surprise visit? Wow.

The thread over in Breaking News is up to something like 1,000+ posts. I'd say you're a bit out of the loop.

[Ronin]

Wow! Check out the pic on Drudge!

Someone better put Dashole on a suicide watch. He is going to be beyond deeply saddened!

[Cicero]

Hmm. This makes me wonder whether Bremer's last quick trip back to Washington wasn't about this visit? It would be the safest way to discuss the security measures to be taken. The NY Times, of course, spun it as a sign that Bush was about to back out of Iraq.

[Ex-Dem]

Since when has NYT ever been a good judge of character :)?

[crz]

The first time I saw this on here I thought it was someones sick joke. The joke was on me, and, the best president ever did what great men do..and thats show up on the front lines for the boys and girls who serve under him.

[RusIvan]

He learned it from Putin:). Vlad did such a thing few times.

[RonDog]

See also some of the OTHER threads about this:

GOTTA SEE THIS-WarEnduring Freedom 11/28/03-Baghdad,Pres.Bush
			Posted by Diogenesis On 11/27/2003 2:36 PM PST with 3 comments ahoo, AP, Reuters, and the usual suspects | 11/28/03 | President Bush in Iraq with the valiant Armies of Good
U.S. Troops Across Iraq Cheer Surprise Bush Visit
			Posted by Ex-Dem On 11/27/2003 2:14 PM PST with 7 comments Wired News ^ | November 27, 2003 | Dean Yates
Reuters: Some Iraqis Welcome Bush, Others Wish Him in Hell
			Posted by Pokey78 On 11/27/2003 2:11 PM PST with 17 comments Reuters ^ | 11/27/03 | Khaled Oweis
Bush appearance stuns troops gathered at airport for Thanksgiving
			Posted by Maria S On 11/27/2003 1:25 PM PST with 31 comments AP ^ | 11/27/03 | JIM KRANE
Bush Iraq text (Full transcript of Bush's Thanksgiving Speech to the troops in Iraq)
			Posted by FairOpinion On 11/27/2003 12:29 PM PST with 30 comments Ledger Enquirer.com -- AP ^ | Nov. 27, 2003 | President George W. Bush
(President)Bush Iraq Quotes
			Posted by kattracks On 11/27/2003 11:45 AM PST with 9 comments AP | 11/27/03
Bush Trip to Baghdad Kept Top-Secret
			Posted by kattracks On 11/27/2003 11:25 AM PST with 51 comments NewsMax.com Wires ^ | 11/27/03 | AP
DFU SONG: Air Force Hymn (Pres. Bush in Baghdad!!!)
			Posted by doug from upland On 11/27/2003 11:24 AM PST with 11 comments DFU SONG PARODIES | 11-2003 | Lyrics, Doug from Upland
Bush Makes Secret Thanksgiving Visit to Iraq
			Posted by AmericanMade1776 On 11/27/2003 10:48 AM PST with 125 comments wireservice.wired.com ^ | nov 27,2003 | steve holland
Bush Makes Surprise Visit to Baghdad
			Posted by Pro Consul On 11/27/2003 9:42 AM PST with 14 comments Fox News ^ | 11/27/2003 | Associated Press
Bush Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq
			Posted by PeteFromMontana On 11/27/2003 9:42 AM PST with 172 comments mywaynews via Drudge Report ^ | 11/27/2003 | TERENCE HUNT
President Bush is eating in my undisclosed location (UPDATE: Undisclosed location is IRAQ!)
			Posted by ChiefKujo On 11/27/2003 7:37 AM PST with 1,137 comments Eyes on ^ | 271830(C)NOV03 | ChiefKujo

[Ex-Dem]

You wouldn't be the only one. A bunch of people thought it was a DUer hoax when it first broke (right here at FR, I might add). I'm not really all that surprised that he would take such a risky trip, I'm more surprised at the timing.

[bandleader]

I was coming home and heard this BREAKING NEWS!!This Is TRULY HISTORIC!!!I predict that El Rushbo WILL broadcast LIVE tomorrow!!!!!!!!

[My2Cents]

Thanks Ron for posting the various links. Good service.

[RonDog]

Thanks!

I personally like ChiefKujo's MONSTER thread the best. :o)

Check the post time - he scooped EVERYONE!

(FReepers rule.)

[Bringbackthedraft]

But, leave it to CNN to find a couple of troops that were gripers.

[Bubba_Leroy]

If you want a good laugh, check out the posts on DU about Bush's trip. They are all saddened, deeply saddened.

[autoresponder]

POWERED BY MY DINKY MSNTV+ 56K DIALUP

A 9 DWARVES PRODUCTION

[crz]

I am really glad that this president could provide them with a thanksgiving they'll always remember.

[MeekOneGOP]

Great article ! Thanks for the ping, AR ! ...