Thread: Bush makes surprise trip to Baghdad

Bush makes surprise trip to Baghdad
By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent
26 minutes ago



President Bush, seeking to bolster support for Iraq's burgeoning government and U.S. war policy at home, made a surprise visit to Iraq on Tuesday to meet newly named Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and discuss the next steps in the troubled, 3-year-old war.

It was a dramatic move by Bush, traveling to violence-rattled Baghdad less than a week after the death of terror chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a bombing attack. The president was expected to be in Baghdad a little more than five hours.

Bush met with al-Maliki in heavily fortified green zone at a palace once used by Saddam Hussein. It now serves temporarily as the U.S. Embassy.

"Good to see you," exclaimed al-Maliki, who didn't know Bush was in Baghdad until five minutes before they met.

"Thanks for having me," Bush responded. They smiled broadly and gave each other a two-handed handshake in the high-domed marble room.

The trip was known only to a handful of aides and a small number of reporters sworn to secrecy because of obvious security threats for Bush and members of his entourage.

It takes a true leader with courage to do such a thing.

I love it!! The media was so surprised!! You had to see Charlie Gibson's face this morning... they were all waiting and expecting him in the Rose Garden today at 2:30. See why I like this man?!!?!

Not really...
give me more reasons

"W" probably is walking zigzags lately too! ~Inky

I don't have to prove anything to anyone here. I'm not going to get into a slinging match with anyone because you all know full well that whatever I say is going to be twisted and dismissed and I'm not really in the mood to argue.

So you don't want to say anything because you don't want to argue? (is more like discussing though) I thought that was the porpose of a forum..
I didn't tell you to prove me anything, just asked why did you like Bush. Since you asked if we could see why you liked him, and it wasn't clear for me!

Because I have yet to see what G.W. has done for anyone other than his rich cronies and the funeral parlors in Iraq. ~Inky

It wouldn't matter what I said anyawy. It wouldn't change your mind... just like what you say about Bush doesn't change my mind. 8)

I would think you'd want to promote G.W., so tell us what has this man done to better mankind? Not a sarcastic response, just wondering why you can't give us some positive feedback for 'ol "W"... ~Inky