Most members of Congress do go to Iraq periodically, and yes, we the taxpayers pay for it.

[beachmom]

I am puzzled by a very naive post on this board, acting like a VIP going to Iraq is somehow something extraordinary. Barack Obama is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and should go to Iraq periodically. He went there in 2006, and going again in 2008 seems appropriate. The number one reason our members of Congress should go to Iraq is to see how our troops are doing, especially constituents. This is why Senator Kerry went there in late 2006, to see troops from Massachusetts. It is why Senator Feinstein went to see troops from California. While they are there, they meet with Iraq officials and leaders, which is also worthwhile. Finally, they are briefed by U.S. military officials, although let's be clear that as Jim Webb terms it, it is mostly a "dog and pony show". I think meeting with constituent soldiers and Iraqi leaders is the best use of a member of Congress's time.

John McCain has no understanding as to what makes a trip to Iraq important. He embarrassed himself and Congress by concocting that "walk in the marketplace" stage craft, which got several Iraqis killed a few weeks later. He should have stuck to talking with the troops from Arizona and talking with Maliki and other members of the Iraqi parliament. Obama was right to turn McCain down on this absurd notion of pulling a political stunt in a theater of war. Oh, and Barack Obama has questioned General Petraeus multiple times, so McCain's equally bizarre attack on Obama meeting with Petraeus (who has been providing political cover for Bush for a year now) makes no sense to me either. I do not think a General should be propped up for a political attack.

[tridim]

1. I don't want Obama anywhere near a place crawling with Blackwater snipers.

[beachmom]

2. Blackwater does provide security for VIPs. I assume they still do.

Don't worry, he'll be fine.