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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: greenspirit who wrote (17919)	11/27/2003 12:48:36 PM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 793622

The trip to Baghdad was a great move on Bush's part. You can bet his security people has a shit fit. This was "one from the heart" on his part. And a "nose thumb" to the left. I expect articles tomorrow claiming it was a political stunt. Not likely. Rove must had the vapors! November 27, 2003 Bush Makes Surprise Thanksgiving Visit to Iraq By REUTERS President Bush secretly traveled to Baghdad and paid a surprise Thanksgiving Day visit to U.S. troops Thursday in a mission to boost the morale of forces in Iraq amid mounting casualties. In a highly unusual maneuver, Bush slipped away from his Texas ranch Wednesday night, arrived in Iraq Thursday and spent 2-1/2 hours with the troops. "I bring a message on behalf of America: We thank you for your service, we are proud of you and America stands solidly behind you," Bush told about 600 soldiers, who were stunned to see the president emerge from a side door inside a military mess hall at Baghdad International Airport. Bush dropped plans to eat the traditional turkey dinner with his wife and family in order to visit U.S. troops in the Iraqi capital, making him the first U.S. president ever to visit Iraq. The troops, mostly from the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division and the 82nd Airborne, had no idea Bush would be there. Without hinting of the enormous surprise to come, Iraq's U.S. civil administrator Paul Bremer told the soldiers he was supposed to read the president's Thanksgiving proclamation to them but would instead defer to the most senior person on the premises. At that point, Bush emerged wearing a military jacket and loud cheering began. "I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere," Bush said. "Thanks for inviting me to dinner ... I can't think of a finer group of folks to have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all." nytimes.com