Senator Chafee (R-RI), Iraq "Frightening at Times."

[ShaneGR]

He's a Republican, but I like him because for the most part, he's honest. Anyone have any links to the other Senators who went, their reactions? Biden, Feinstein, and Hagle.

(snip)
"It's a very tenuous security situation," Chafee told CNN. "I'd been there a year ago -- what a change."

Chafee and three other U.S. senators recently returned from a fact-finding mission to Iraq. Republican Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, and Democrats Joe Biden of Delaware and Dianne Feinstein of California, also made the trip.

Chafee said the senators were unable to travel through Baghdad's neighborhoods, visit the northern city of Mosul or take the road from the airport -- all things visitors could do last year.

"Also, in the Green Zone a year ago we felt very secure," he said, referring to the fortified section of the capital that is home to Iraqi and foreign governments and the military. "Not so this time."

Even the flight out of Baghdad was dangerous. The pilot of the C-130 aircraft was forced to "do some evasive maneuvers," causing some anxious moments, Chafee said.

[Catch22Dem]

1. At times?

Do y'all think we may get him to cross over? Any chance at all? I tend to not rule it out, but chalk it up to highly unlikely.

[Lone Pawn]

2. Well, looking at in on the nanosecond level,

there are certainly 'times' between bullets in which no shots are being fired.

[Old and In the Way]

3. I have 2 moderate Republican Senators here in Maine.

I think they are a dying species, though. The radicaL RW will be gunning for them in the next primary...and if they survive, we'll be looking to take them down in the GE. They could do the right thing (politically and morally) and cross the aisle now.

[alcuno]

4. I believe they were doing evasive maneuvers because a missile

was likely fired at their plane. That's what Hagel said.

[Liberal Veteran]

5. But I thought everything was just wonderful in Iraq...

...and there were just a few minor insurgencies to deal with?

:eyes:

[Pirate Smile]

6. Here is a thread about Biden's appearance on This Week where he

talked about his trip to Iraq.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2790559