I re-read the article and all I got out of it was that Kerry was greeted "warmly" (meaning he wasn't shot at or hounded out of town) by the troops and an Iraqi restaurant manager at the Rashid Hotel. I don't know where Lucianne got the "cheering" part. I'll have to go over the article again.
From those photos, Kerry's presence was about on par with Hillary's visit. Some of the troop's expressions don't look as if they are really, really glad to be in the company of the wimpy waffler.
Remember this article is written through the view of this San Francisco reporter and they will play his reception up. I love the responses Kerry got in what frustrated the soldiers when they said the good they do is not being reported. Kerry won't say anything good. This is nothing but a photo opportunity and attempt to rehabilitate his pathetic image for 2008 when he runs again. He will always be a smarmy traitor.