Huge cheers: U.S. President Barack Obama was swarmed by his
own troops as they greeted him joyfully at Camp Victory in Baghdad this afternoon\\
Posted on 04/07/2009 9:37:20 PM PDT by yankeedame
The last time his predecessor visited Iraq, he had a pair of shoes thrown at him. But all that Barack Obama was in danger of being hit by yesterday were digital cameras as delighted U.S. troops swooped in to greet their commander in chief.
One even hugged Mr Obama, who was making a surprise first visit to the country as President.
Huge cheers: U.S. President Barack Obama was swarmed by his
own troops as they greeted him joyfully at Camp Victory in Baghdad this afternoon\\
Mr Obama received an
overwhelming welcome from troops at Camp Victory today
[snip]
Enlarge President Barack Obama is greeted by General Ray Odierno, the
top U.S. commander in Iraq, as he arrives in Baghdad this
afternoon
...The trip was Mr Obama's third to Iraq, and his first since taking office. He met with U.S. commanders and troops last summer while seeking the presidency.
Because of security concerns, the White House made no prior announcement of the visit, and released no advance details for his activities on the ground.
It was the last stop of an eight-day trip to Europe and Turkey during which Mr Obama sought to place his stamp on U.S. foreign policy after eight years of the Bush administration.
Barack Obama calls for peace with Islam during a town hall style meeting in
Turkey today shortly before flying to Iraq?
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
You have just got to be kidding me. I don’t remember seeing any pictures of soldiers doing that with Bush.
Photo op-setup. Hand picked pro-Obama troops (oxymoron I know).
Get a barf bag for this one, Sandrat.
Ayup. A last second call goes out to the base “who wants to see El Presidente?” Only the moonbats do, so he gets his cheering roomful.
Yep. I spent a long time today IMing my youngest who really vented his true feelings on budget cuts. Was he invited. Heck no!
Probably orders from the base commander. Show respect and excitement!
Remember the roar when Pres. Bush visited Iraq the first time. It was overwhelming...and very emotional.
This is the biggest gag and hurl and Barbra Streisand on top of that.
Missing barf alert.
Yes, and yes. There's a good 15-20% of the Army that's entirely pro-Obama. If you take a post the size of VBC (Victory Base Complex), and make it optional to show up and see President Obama if you want to, you'll get full cheering crowds without any problem at all. All you have to do is make it optional, and the pro-Obama troops will gravitate there as fast as the not-so-pro-Obama troops will avoid it.
Like any good lie, the cheering troops picture has an core element of truth to it.
F***ing sicking! Even our Miltary has turned. America is no more.
RIP USA (1776-2009)
I think this is for the international community’s consumption. Military families here at home are pretty clearly aware of who and what this Poseur is all about.
Thanks I needed to hear that. From the press and pictures of this event I have been throughly sickened.
Most of our Military does not love Obama.
Maybe they were just excited over the fact that their “messiah” wants them to be covered by their own private health insurance. It’s hard to tell with kids these days.
Serious? That's like a platoon sized element in that picture. You could pack that many Carrot Top fans into the MWR center and get the same picture.
When you're spending 12+ months watching the paint peel in the 120 degree Baghdad weather, seeing a VIP that's not a pro-wrestler or country music star can be the highlight of your month.
They only have one CIC and I cannot understand why they would give him a poor reception. I think all these reactions to a visit to the troops are pointless. It’s a plus that he went and didn’t blow off the troops for the gym.
Note the disproportionate number of non-white soldiers, about half? Just like most photo-ops with Barry or Michelle, the background is often “dark.”
In talking with a military officer that just came back from Iraq duty, it is my understanding that most soldiers are not hip on the Messiah. In fact, he said they loved Bush!
Put the president in a non selected forum of troops after a formal march past and review. You won't see any "hugging" of the president. Even NOW Zero will not admit that the surge worked and that he was DEAD WRONG about it, all for the sake of his reach around Muslim friends.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.