Kerry to Visit Iraq, Middle East

[cal04]

Former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry will travel to Iraq next month as the war-torn country prepares for elections.
The Massachusetts senator, who lost his bid for the presidency in November, is expected to visit several Middle East countries, with the focus on the situation in Iraq and the war on terror.

A decorated Vietnam War veteran, Kerry also plans to meet with U.S. troops, including some from Massachusetts, to thank them for their services, spokeswoman April Boyd said Thursday.

During the campaign, Kerry criticized President Bush's handling of the Iraq war. Although Kerry voted in October 2002 to give Bush the authority to wage war, he later voted against additional funds for Iraq and Afghanistan reconstruction, arguing that the commander in chief didn't have a solid plan to restore peace. Kerry is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In addition to his Iraq trip, Kerry will take time during the holidays to host events in Massachusetts and Iowa in which he will thank his campaign supporters. He travels to Iowa on Friday.
Kerry's solo overseas trip comes after several senators endured a harrowing flight out of Baghdad, and amid increased security concerns as violence there continues to escalate.





http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBWI1J6J2E.html
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/12/09/kerry_to_travel_to_iraq_meet_with_troops/

[tridim]

1. How much do you want to bet that Kerry's trip will be labeled as:

Sympathizing with the Insurgents? They'll call him Falluja John.

[LibDemAlways]

2. "Several senators endured a

harrowing flight out of Baghdad." Poor babies. I tend to be more sympathetic toward the teenagers taking their last flights out of Baghdad in the cargo hold.

As for Kerry is Iraq, I truly hope this time he IS watching his back.

[msgadget]

3. Doesn't it seem unwise to publicize it so far in advance?

[Ninga]

4. HOW ABOUT KERRY VISITING OHIO FOR GODS SAKE!!!

[msgadget]

6. LOL! Appearances, doesn't want to look like he thinks he won.

[KerryReallyWon]

7. A Presidential Visit???

I agree.

[zann725]

9. I was thinking he's warming-up those Electoral Votes...

and getting support (witnesses) for upcoming lawsuits. He could thank people for their support via a letter or phone call. Something else is going on.

And the trip to Iraq though worries me. It is far too dangerous there now. But if he is the President-elect...

[geekgrrl]

10. warming up electoral vote support? how about warming us up??

Seriously, though. I don't think I am the only one who's image of Kerry is shattered. He hasn't stuck up for our votes like he said he would.

And him visiting Iraq doesn't change that at all.

[0007]

15. "how about warming us up??"

LOL!! are you nuts, 'tis about Mr. Kerry not about us dummies.

[TheDonkey]

5. I hope he uses the spotlight to continue to bash the * admin's Iraq

He should have sent out a statement after Rumsfelds ridiculous comments.

I hope he protects himself.

[Just Me]

8. Hope he returns safely,...and DEMANDS the whereabouts of billions,...

,...hundreds of billions of dollars appropriated to the DoD. The possibility of misappropriation ought to be investigated!!! There should have been plenty of money to ensure the troops at least have their body armor and armoured humvees!!!

[Leilani]

11. He should have gone to Iraq sooner

Some Senators have made 4 trips there.

During the campaign, I made the suggestion several times; hell, I even suggested he send Wes Clark on his behalf.

He would have seemed more involved, he defenitly would have been better informed, & I could never understand why he hadn't gone already.
He was running for Commander-in-Chief.

[TheDonkey]

16. It would have been seen as horrificly political by the MSM

and very dangerous. I wonder if the SS would allow him too.

[keopeli]

12. Who cares? Who really cares? If you don 't live in MA, why is this news?

[proudbluestater]

13. Hmmmm...

Seems to me a person who had truly lost would be curled up in a corner licking his wounds.

Hmmm...

[WebeBlue]

14. Add CNN as reporting Iraq trip w/photo of Kerry at Arlington funeral

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/12/09/kerry.iraq.ap/index.html

...and I don't know what his motivation is but am very much watching with more than mild interest. Sent this to my sil, Iraq veteran abroad, scheduled for second deployment to Iraq to share with the troops in his unit and btw, my sil voted Kerry and informs me so did most of his unit. I know the military vote did not go for B*** and want to see the stats on the military vote badly!

I started a thread earlier this AM = Kerry to travel to Iraq, meet with troops. What does this mean?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1418932