CNN: McCain lauds security during Baghdad visit

[Kadie]

McCain lauds security during Baghdad visit
POSTED: 1:15 p.m. EDT, April 1, 2007

Story Highlights
• Sen. John McCain says media failing to report improving security conditions
• Congressman: Lawmakers encouraged to remove helmets during Baghdad tour
• Military investigating how explosives-laden suicide vests ended up in Green Zone
• Roadside bombs in Salaheddin province kill four, wound eight

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) --

snip...
McCain, a presidential hopeful, was among a delegation of Republican lawmakers that made an unannounced trip to Iraq this weekend, the details of which were withheld for security reasons.

The delegation traveled in armored Humvees with a military escort.

After going to a market in Baghdad's al-Sharqi district -- the site of a January twin car bombing that killed 88 people and wounded 160 -- McCain told reporters at a Green Zone news conference that the recent surge of U.S. troops gives the military "a very good chance of bringing security." (Watch how Congress and the White House are tussling over a deadline to bring troops home )

"The American people are not getting the full picture of what's happening here. They are not getting the full picture of the drop in murders, the establishment of security outposts throughout the city, the situation in Anbar, the deployment of additional Iraqi brigades who are performing well and other signs of progress," he said.

snip...
"I just came from one," he said, referring to his trip to the outdoor market, which required a heavy military escort. "I've been here many times over the years. Never have I been able to drive from the airport. Never have I been able to go out into the city as I was today."

snip...
Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander there, was so confident in the security situation that he told the lawmakers they could remove their helmets "at our discretion," Pence said. They retained their body armor, he said.

more...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/04/01/iraq.main/index.html?section=cnn_latest

[SoCalDem]

1. and in other news:

Mrs Mohammed, made it to the market and back home without being blown up by a car bomb..(today)

Gee McCain's desperate.. Of COURSE he felt "safe"..He's a sitting US Senator..they would not take him anyplace they felt he would be in danger..

[crikkett]

2. is it murder if it happens in a civil war?

I notice they didn't walk down the street.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

3. It's so safe there you can remove your helmet at your own "discretion." Very good, can we leave now?

MKJ

[npincus]

4. what's he trying to prove, anyway?

The American public has made up its mind.

[Jacobin]

8. Michael Ware excoriated McCain on CNN

last week. Its all over Crooks and liars and youtube.

Its a hoot.

guess he had to go over there to try to put his pretty lies back together

[npincus]

10. that was classic- a keeper

other media outlets should be playing that one like a mantra.

[Jacobin]

5. My favorite line:

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander there, was so confident in the security situation that he told the lawmakers they could remove their helmets "at our discretion," Pence said. They retained their body armor, he said.

:rofl:

[TahitiNut]

6. Nearly everywhre in Viet Nam was as safe or safer.

:shrug: So what?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

7. Notice that he didn't go out alone, without an escort as he claimed you can do there.

Let's see him do that to convince us the surge is working.

[Swede]

9. It would make such a nice summer retreat.

Sipping a cocktail,strolling down the lanes.

[SoFlaJet]

11. no, not a cocktail

"sipping green tea"-you know like Joe Wilson in Niger...

[youngdem]

12. Having a hard time telling if this is an April Fool's Joke or not...Well, I guess, either way, IT IS

[Fridays Child]

13. I'll bet he went to Sadr City, where he saw...

...children romping along shady, tree-lined boulevards, women planting petunias in their flowerboxes, Shia and Sunni elders engaging in friendly religious and political debates over games of checkers, college kids watching TV in the pubs, gas stations nearly overflowing with cheap and abundant Iraqi oil, shopkeepers running 50% off sales to get rid of their overstock.

I heard it all on Fuck Snooze, so it must be true.

[Bonhomme Richard]

14. I'm have no doubt his security was laudable.

What about the military personnel that put themselves at risk for a photo-op?

[gatorboy]

15. If you have to keep your visit secret.

Then that's not a very fucking safe area now is it?

[Evergreen Emerald]

16. he is lying

two different reporters laughed at the idea he was attempting to put forth. The miliatry closed off all of the streets in the area, they were surrounded by military, and drove in tanks...McCain is a bigfatliar.