Amazing Bush Secret Kept With Iraq Visit

AP ^ | 11/28/03 ^6:30am est. | Terrence Hunt

[STARWISE]

Amazing Bush Secret Kept With Iraq Visit

Nov 28, 6:30 AM (ET

By TERENCE HUNT

President Bush holds up turkey during a surprise visit to troops at Baghdad airport Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003.

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) - Three hours from landing on a high-risk visit to Baghdad, President Bush was most anxious about keeping it a secret. "I was fully prepared to turn this baby around, come home," Bush said later aboard Air Force One. To everyone's amazement the secrecy held.

The world did not learn that Bush had spent 2 1/2 hours Thursday on a Thanksgiving Day visit to troops in Baghdad until his jumbo jet was again in the air, flying back to the United States, where he arrived early Friday, making it back to his ranch in Texas shortly before daybreak.

As the president was cheering up soldiers in a mess hall in Baghdad, newscasters back home were reporting that he was enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with his family at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. That was what reporters had been told by White House officials.

Bush said he thought Americans would be understanding about the deception because it was important for soldiers at risk to know that the commander in chief and the country supported them and appreciated their sacrifices.

President Bush arrives in Waco, Texas, after his secret flight to Iraq to have Thanksgiving dinner with U.S. troops. Bush arrived early Friday morning, Nov. 28, 2003, aboard Air Force One at TSTC airfield in Waco before returning to his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

He told reporters that Americans understand that if the trip had been announced "it would have put me in harm's way. It would have put others in harm's way, including yourselves."

The bold nature of the trip, with television networks broadcasting the news on a day when most Americans were at home with families watching football or parades, could give Bush a PR boost at a time of steadily increasing casualties among U.S. troops and polling that shows postwar Iraq becoming more of a liability for the president.

Behind the trip were weeks of top-secret planning, doubts and last minute questions. It began in mid-October when chief of staff Andy Card asked Bush whether he would be interested in going to Baghdad for the holiday.

"Yes, I would," Bush replied. "Except I don't want to go if it puts anyone in harm's way. I said it's very essential I understand all aspects of the trip, starting with whether or not we could get in and out safely."If word leaked out of the trip, Air Force One could become a prized target for terrorists and Saddam Hussein loyalists.

President Bush smiles as he walks toward Marine One after landing at TSTC airfield in Waco, Texas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2003. Bush landed early Friday morning on Air Force One after his secret trip to Iraq to visit U.S. troops for Thanksgiving.

Bush said he was "the biggest skeptic of all" about whether the trip could be pulled off. He questioned military commanders and the civilian administrator in Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, and even sat down with the pilot of Air Force One, Col. Mark Tillman, to go over details.

Three hours from Baghdad, Bush still was concerned about secrecy.

He questioned his secret service agents and they checked with officials on the ground. No leaks. Bush said he had been prepared to pull the plug if the secret were out.

Air Force One, with its lights off and window shades pulled down, landed in darkness. Bush's motorcade from the plane sped across the unlit tarmac at Baghdad airport, to a mess hall where 600 soldiers were waiting impatiently for Thanksgiving dinner.

Bremer told the soldiers it was time to read a Thanksgiving message from the president, a task reserved for the most senior official present.

President Bush waves after landing at TSTC Airport Friday, Nov 28, 2003, in Waco, Texas. Bush returned to the U.S. after a whirlwind, surprise visit with U.S. troops stationed in Iraq for Thanksgiving holiday. "Is there anybody back there more senior than us?" Bremer said, standing alongside Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of coalition forces in Iraq.

With that, Bush stepped from behind the stage and electrified the crowd.

"I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere," he joked to the cheering crowd.

Addressing troops from the 1st Armored Division and the 82nd Airborne, and other units, Bush said he brought a message from home: "We thank you for your service. We're proud of you and America stands solidly behind you."

Bush said the terrorists and insurgents were testing America's resolve and "they hope we will run" from Iraq.

"We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost of casualties, defeat a ruthless dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins," the president said.

The remarks brought the soldiers to their feet.

"It was a pleasant surprise," said Master Sgt. Michael Johnson of Turlock, Calif. "They had us waiting so long I started to get (mad). But it's not so often you get to meet a president."

Bush served mashed potatoes for 10 minutes and then ducked into a meeting with national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, who had accompanied him to Baghdad, along with Bremer, Sanchez and four members of the Iraqi Governing Council.

Five reporters, five photographers and a camera crew and producer, sworn to secrecy, accompanied the president on the trip. Bush surreptitiously left his ranch in an unmarked car with tinted windows, riding with Rice and secret service agents.

Other Secret Service agents left at the ranch were not told the president had departed. Rice and the president wore ball caps; Bush said he pulled his low on his face and slouched down in his seat to avoid being recognized by an airfield guard.

"We looked like a normal couple," Bush said of himself and Rice.

Air Force One landed at Andrews Air Force Base just outside Washington and was pulled into a huge hanger. Out of view, Bush then boarded an identical jumbo jet, used alternately with the other aircraft as Air Force One.

Reporters who joined the trip at Andrews had their cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices taken away by security officials until the plane was headed toward Iraq.

[STARWISE]

I LOVE THIS MAN!!! Thank you, Lord, for letting this happen safely. Our troops there will remember this forever ... I will too.

[friendly]

Bush is well on his way to being one of the great presidents. I certainly don't always agree with his politics and policies, but you cannot help but admire his dignity, personal courage, high moral character, humility, and charisma. I LOVE this guy!

[STARWISE]

Enjoy your rest and your homegrown pecan pie, Mr. President. You did one he** of a gutsy thing .. glorious, breathtaking and awesome! If I hadn't been so inspired and pumped up by this stunning feat .. I wouldn't still be up .. up all night and into the morning .. too thrilled to go to sleep, SO touched for the troops, watching every replay of the stunning moment, watching all the news updates .. until now. BIG GRIN will still be on my face when I finally doze off. Thank God .. home safe and sound.

[XtreMarine]

Hail to the Chief. This is why America needs Mr. Bush. I stand squarely behind my President.

Semper Fidelis "Always Faithful"

[MEG33]

I just watched CSPAN replay but this time with much more interaction with troops shown.I slept a bit but got up to relive the day.It was the reaction of the troops one on one that made my screen fog up.Wonderful.

[Dr Warmoose]

As the president was cheering up soldiers in a mess hall in Baghdad, newscasters back home were reporting that he was enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with his family at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. That was what reporters had been told by White House officials.

Headline in NYT and Washington Post:

White House Admits Telling Brazen Lie to the World
Women and minorities most effected

[STARWISE]

LOL .. dontcha just love it??? They're squirming, they're twitching, they're gonna be trying SO hard to diplomatically spin their chagrin, it's gonna be FUN FUN FUN!!!

[xp38]

Women and minorities most effected

That would be Condoleeza who also missed Thanksgiving at home in the US. :)

[PGalt]

Outstanding President. Terrific Administration.

[Adder]

What a fantastic and Commander-in-Chief-ish move!
Not only were the troops thrilled, but the entire country has to be gaga over this.
I'm sure the dumblecrats will demand that this not be mentioned in the campaign...or even the news. What can they possibly offer in response that helps them. Answer: NOTHING! So they will minimize and carp and denigrate it. I hope I am wrong. But I sorta doubt it.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Isn't it nice to have a man of character in the White House after 8 years of Bubba?

[TheRightGuy]

Teeny Tiny Tommy Dasshole is deeply saddened.

[Lokibob]

This is the first time I read that Rice went with him.

I wish she had been in some of the pictures, but understand why. It was the Presidents party. He and the troops were the stars.

[Las Vegas Dave]

President Bush, he da man!

[DCPatriot]

The TODAY SHOW this morning saw Matt Laurer interviewing Chris Matthews, who gave our President an unequivical 10 rating about the trip.

He said that sure, the trip had political perks, but only as an aside.

Chris Matthews said that Bush just completed one helleva week, with the terrific economic news and now this.

Laurer was smart enough not to show his disdain.

[michwm]

WHAT A PRESIDENT!!!
As one who did serve oversees during peacetime and missing Thanksgiving at home, I know just what this visit did do for the troops. The fact that he thought of others before himself shows to all just where his heart and soul is.

Our President is a man that others in congress need to measure themselves by.

[friendly]

Headline in NYT and Washington Post: White House Admits Telling Brazen Lie to the World Women and minorities most effected

Yes the sworn enemies of the United States (domestic and foreign) are outraged that this trip's itinerary was not broadcast in advance.

[chainsaw]

Bremer told the soldiers it was time to read a Thanksgiving message from the president, a task reserved for the most senior official present.

With that, Bush stepped from behind the stage and electrified the crowd.

This brings happy tears to my eyes. What a surprise for the troops.

[Salvation]

**Five reporters, five photographers and a camera crew and producer, sworn to secrecy, accompanied the president on the trip**

Excepting Jim Angle of FoxNews, who else went along here? I am amazed that they kept their traps shut!

[chainsaw]

Isn't it nice to have a man of character in the White House after 8 years of Bubba?

Eight years of treason and sex. Thank god it's over.

[STARWISE]

I believe they were "well chosen." They know who they can trust. ;-)

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

If the story leaked out that President Bush was going, they would have had to turn around and cancel the trip, so the reporters would have had no story at all.

[MizSterious]

Meg, up early this morning, and watching some of this too. Did you by any chance notice the differences in the body language and facial expressions with the Bush visit, compared to the Hillary visit in Afghanistan? Hubby and I were commenting on how enthusiasitically the President is received--it appeared to us that Hillary was politely tolerated. Or is it our bias?

[vanmorrison]

Reading about this wonderful gesture by our courageous president and how it was received by our troops, who have the most at risk of all of us, made my eyes tear a bit, too.

[michwm]

This one is for the troops

Psalm 145:18-19
New International Version
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

[MEG33]

I have a swivel chair at my desk..I manage to miss all TV of Hillary.The difference,though is real.He is the CIC.She is a military hating Senator.I think they were more excited about the turkey than Hillary.

[Salvation]

Amen!

[samtheman]

Amazing Bush Secret Kept With Iraq Visit

The first two words say it all.

[Skibane]

If the story leaked out that President Bush was going, they would have had to turn around and cancel the trip, so the reporters would have had no story at all.

LOL - Bush to reporters: "You kids behave, or we'll turn this plane around RIGHT NOW!"

[MizSterious]

NY Times' Philip Taubman says briefing about President being in Crawford was "deliberate deception"

I'm sure I'm not the first who predicted that the 'rats would now cry, "See? Bush LIED!" Sure 'nuff...

[MEG33]

Believe it or not it is a daily pool,chosen by the news people.Brian Lamb corrected that on CSPN when a caller said Allen from the WaPo was "chosen" because he is supportive of the President.

[mystery-ak]

You are right in your comparison...the troops reaction to Hitlery compared to Dubya is obvious....most in the military knows the Clintons disdain for the military...we never forget who our friends are.

[thesummerwind]

.It was the reaction of the troops one on one that made my screen fog up.Wonderful.

Yes, and I was watching footage of the wide load's visit in Afghanistan, and my screen went dark. Go figure!

[thesummerwind]

it appeared to us that Hillary was politely tolerated. Or is it our bias?

It wasn't your bias, it was your cognitive perceptions working quite correctly.

I am surprised they made the troops take the clothespins off their noses in Afghanistan. They were up on the tables cheering in Iraq for G.W., on the other hand the troops were hiding UNDER the tables in Afghanistan for that unwanted visitor!

[genefromjersey]

This morning's (pro-Democrat Gannett published) newspaper told the story:

President Bush's surprise visit.........PAGE ONE

Hillary's visit to Afghanistan..........Page 20,below the fold.

[yoe]

Bush said the terrorists and insurgents were testing America's resolve and "they hope we will run" from Iraq.

By Insurgents, does he mean Mrs. Clinton, Howard Dean, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy and all the others who would see the War on Terrorism fail?

President Bush shows all again what a powerful leader he is. I am so proud of him, this plain spoken man of honor and love for and of his country. Thank you President Bush!

[yoe]

....I understand that Dan Rather is up and taking sustenance now...crow is so hard to digest 'ya know..........

[WorkingClassFilth]

The great regret I have is that there seems to be no tape showing the precise moment when the beast learned of his arrival. I'd also love to have the audio when she is alone with her entourage. I'll bet that I, even I, a veteran working class filth, could learn something about swearing from that little lady at that little moment.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I had an international flight schedule similar to his, one day way back when...in the day. Over and back, 29 hours.

I can tell you this, that is going to be one jet lagged dude in cowbody boots. Thats close to going through 15 time zones.

'Course, he wasn't crunched up in economy like I was back then.

Quite admirable and I cannot say enough about the good it did and how the liberals must be waking up with migraines all across the fruited plain today.

Let's initiate a Democrat Candidate quote watch today. Wonder what that pipsqueak Kucinich or charlatan Dean will have to say about this in Iowa. I'll bet not much--initially.

[HenryLeeII]

The president's interaction with the troops was great. By contrast, did anyone see Hildebeast interact with any soldiers in a natural and human manner? Didn't think so. She's an icy, robotic, non-human, and the difference between her and the man who's job she wants to steal is apparent for all to see!

[chiller]

Katie apparently couldn't bear to show up to preside over W's PR coup.

Speaking of NBC, has this day--the Friday after T-day--ever been referred to as "Black Friday"?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I was feeling pretty low yesterday morning, looking at news of THE BITCH in Afghanistan, wondering why the Hell our president wasn't with the troops on Thanksgiving.
My next prescience ?

[William McKinley]

Yeah, I've always called it that. I think anyone who ever has to try to brave the shopping traffic calls it that.

[AmericanInTokyo]

REMEMBER the Hildabeast being laughed and booed off a stage in New York by firefighters and policemen back after 9-11? And the media coverup/spin?

The NYC heroes know as much about that dragon lady as the American troops in Afghanistan did. Only the troops had to tolerate her due to decorum and protocol. No loud boos or hisses for Hitlary, except perhaps deep in their hearts.

Wonder how many "lost" their turkey dinners after seeing that cold hearted, insincere, machiavellian phony b...h?

[DCPatriot]

Yes, it is the day that most retail companies go from being in the "red" to being "in the black" on their bottom lines.

[AGreatPer]

The HillBilly is actually in Iraq today. Notice we have no news on it or at least I haven't seen it.

[JIM O]

We must all withold judgement on how we feel about this until Senator Kennedy tells us how we should feel.

Ted is expected to sober up enough by 2:00 today to let us know.

[jocon307]

"Laurer was smart enough not to show his disdain."

LOL, I always get the idea that Laurer at least understands that most Americans do NOT think like the NYTimes, etc. I always think he's angling to keep his job after the Right wins the Culture War.

[DCPatriot]

Maybe he'd like to get a contract with FOXNEWS!

I see a Republican in there somewhere.

It's just that I have this memory of him trying extra hard to trap any Conservative being interviewed.

[JimRed]

Excepting Jim Angle of FoxNews, who else went along here? I am amazed that they kept their traps shut!

Just guessing, but first their cell phones were confiscated, and they were held "incommunicado" unitl permission to disclose the trip was granted, probably somewhere westbound over the Atlantic.