Obama Says He Is Considering Iraq Trip

[Wretched Excess]

I don't think this answer is going to satisfy anyone.  it's better than the "americans want a debate on iraq"
answer that his campaign initially produced, but it really does sound like it's one of those things that he will
"try to squeeze in there, somewhere", when it should be at the top of his list.

and if he goes to iraq to "talk to troops and talk to commanders", will he listen to what they have to say?

Obama Says He Is Considering Iraq Trip

THORNTON, Colo. – Senator Barack Obama said today that he is considering visiting American troops and commanders in Iraq this summer. He declined an invitation from Senator John McCain to take a joint trip to Iraq, saying, “I just don’t want to be involved in a political stunt.”

In a brief interview here, Mr. Obama said his campaign was considering taking a foreign trip after he secures the Democratic presidential nomination. No details have been set, he said, but added: “Iraq would obviously be at the top of the list of stops.”

Mr. Obama visited Iraq in January 2006 as part of a Congressional delegation to the Middle East, but he has not returned since he became a presidential candidate. Mr. McCain and the Republican National Committee have sought to use that singular trip to highlight a lack of foreign policy experience.

For weeks, aides to Mr. Obama have been quietly discussing a foreign trip, but the long Democratic nominating fight has delayed making any concrete plans. Now, with only five months remaining until the general election, it remains unclear whether there will be time to take such a trip.

Mr. Obama suggested today that any foreign itinerary would include a stop in Iraq.

“I think that if I’m going to Iraq, then I’m there to talk to troops and talk to commanders, I’m not there to try to score political points or perform,” Mr. Obama said. “The work they’re doing there is too important.”

Mr. McCain responded with a touch of sarcasm to the news that Mr. Obama was thinking about going to Iraq. “I certainly was just a short time ago glad to hear that Senator Obama is now, quote, considering a trip to Iraq,'’ Mr. McCain said at a news conference late in the day in Los Angeles.”It’s long overdue, it’s been 871 days since he was there. And I’m confident that when he goes he will then change his position on the conflict in Iraq, because he will see the success that has been achieved on the ground.'’

Link

[Sonnabend]

and if he goes to iraq to "talk to troops and talk to commanders", will he listen to what they have to say?

No.

[dutch508]

and if he goes to iraq to "talk to troops and talk to commanders", will he listen to what they have to say?

No.

would he ever leave the green zone?

[miskie]

This is the response I expected.. He will "consider" it - and when questioned on a date, he will cite "National Security", everyone will buy it and it wont be heard of again until he eventually does go, on his own terms, specifically so he can find a new negative he can prattle on about to make the libbies swoon.

[Hawkgirl]

Hopefully, he won't find himself dodging sniper fire....

[Wretched Excess]

mccain has painted him into a corner.  if he doesn't go, he suffers because he is being
willfully ignorant.  if he does go, he is forced to significantly modify his position on the
war, or he either looks delusional and disrespectful to the commanders.

he was able to get away with being against something that could be proven to be a
success in the primary, because the base is rabidly opposed to the war.  he is going
to at least have reasons now.