Posted on 07/31/2008 5:11:07 PM PDT by kristinn
LANDSTUHL, Germany – Although news outlets have reported charges that Sen. Barack Obama canceled his trip to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany because the media weren’t allowed to cover the event, U.S. European Command officials say plans were in place to allow limited press coverage.
All media, including local press and the more than 40 journalists accompanying the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee on his eight-day international trip last week, would have been able to photograph the Illinois senator entering and leaving the hospital, said Air Force Lt. Col. John Dorrian, a U.S. European Command spokesman.
Defense Department public affairs policy guidance on media coverage of candidates visiting military installations states "under no circumstances may a candidate receive approval to make a campaign or election-related statement or to respond to a campaign or election-related media query."
The guidance also states that "the candidate may appear on camera and in photographs as an official participant and may make a statement or answer questions about the official business being conducted."
Obama’s canceled July 25 visit to Landstuhl sparked a strong and lingering reaction from presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain over allegations that Obama canceled the trip because media could not cover the event. The McCain campaign has since aired a TV commercial blasting Obama for his no-show at Landstuhl.
An ongoing back-and-forth has ensued, with McCain accusing Obama of canceling the hospital trip because he wasn’t allowed to bring reporters.
Obama responded on Saturday, telling reporters he nixed the hospital visit because it would have been perceived as political since he sought to have a campaign staffer accompany him to Landstuhl, according to The Washington Post.
Defense Department policy guidance states that candidates cannot use military facilities for political campaign or election events.
Obama’s visit would have been unique because he would have been the first U.S. Congress member to visit the hospital alone this year.
In 2008, Landstuhl has hosted eight congressional delegations, and each of those delegations was composed of three to eight Congress members, Dorrian said.
McCain last visited Landstuhl on April 5, 2007, as part of a congressional delegation.
McCain’s visit was closed to the press.
Obama couldn't face the wounded warriors without a retired two-star to act as a human shield for him, and to protect him from any impertinent questions.
LOL! Obama is so busted!!!
Obama and his minions are liars. They have said outright that no press or photographs were planned for the cancelled visit. And now we find out that they lied.
obama,the shallow one.
If only this was literally true...
Osama Obama was afraid to meet Our Brave Heros because he is a Liar, a Traitor, an Anti-America Freak, and a Coward!
Other than that, there is nothing else that one can say thats good about Osama Obama Bin Ladin Barry HUSSEIN!
Obama is starting to make President Clinton look angelic.
There was nothing in it for him at Landstuhl. It was never about the soldiers, it was about recording images he can use in his campaign. He figures why waste his precious time when there isn’t an end product. He didn’t count on the backlash.
Wanna bet this doesn’t end up in the MSM?
The obvious answer is usually correct.
From the New York Times to MSNBC and beyond...
Well, whaddya know, it was a photo-op after all. (kristinn)
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The DoD would only allow photos of Barry’s entering the hospital and leaving it. Barry the New Age Messiah wanted to be photographed as he lay hands on the wounded troops and healed them. What’s the use of being a messiah if there are no cameras to record one’s miracles?
Has anyone here heard whether or not either of the other two Senators that were traveling with Illinois Jr. went on into the hospital and visited with any injured servicemen?
Just wondering.
Nice!
OTOH he is supposed to be the campaign worker who threw a tantrum when he couldn't go which caused the Messiah to cancel, also allegedly wants/wanted to be BHO's VP.
I think we dodged a bullet. His combat experience and extended command experience might neutralize McCain's military resume. He never had to endure McCain's experience as a POW, but his resume (at least on paper) is more extensive than McCain's. It also somewhat makes up for BHO's total VOID in any possible qualification for CINC. At least his back up could show some understanding and qualifications.
Fortunately (apparently) the general's irrational overreaction to the interruption of his political ambition path overwhelms his creds. Basically I think the guy cut his own throat TG.
good grief!
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