I watched the “surprise visit” by Bush to Iraq today, after having watched Katie Couric in Iraq this morning.
Katie wore a bulletproof vest as did the soldiers who escorted her. Bush came bubbling off the plane in a short sleeved shirt with no obvious bullet protection. This, of course, was to make us see how “safe” the Surge had made Iraq.
Of course, this is why the visit was a surprise. No one was to know he was coming so no plans could be made.
I can just see the “aides” around Bush on the plane gearing him up to go out…
“What, no armor?…”
“Now, Mr. President, we’ve got to show that the Surge has done its job. We’ve told Petraeus not to wear any vest and he’s as scared as you…”
“The things I do for you guys…”
Of course, what is televised is what they want us to see. Not what the GAO report contends. Not what the soldiers who spoke with Bush apparently told him… that they were under-equipped and their trips home were too short. And not the response of the American soldiers to the report of the British pullout.
I guess we can admire the gamble Bush took that he wouldn’t get shot at. It doesn’t look like he stayed very long out in the open.
