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-Pentagon told Obama that he could not visit the medical facility in the capacity of a candidate, only in the capacity of a Senator.
-Obama was not traveling with Senate staffers, so his two options were to go alone, or not go at all.
-Obama and his advisors decided that since even him going alone could be construed as a campaign visit (and most definitely would have by McCain and his supporters), and he didn't want to put the wounded soldiers in the middle of a future campaign argument (which, ironically, is what McCain has turned the whole issue into), he would cancel his trip.
Yeah, you're right...it does seem pretty cut and dry. Thanks for providing a link that explained it pretty dang perfectly.
He is both you realize?
He couldn't go alone? Does he also need someone to wipe his a** for him?
Absolutely cut and dry. Why does he need a campaign staffer with him? To possibly record the event? Take notes to use later as a prop?
Quote:
"Sen. Obama is welcome to visit Landstuhl or any military hospital in his official capacity as a United States senator," Morrell said in a brief interview. "But there is a DOD policy which governs campaigning and electioneering at military facilities that would have to be respected if he were to visit. That distinction was relayed and made clear to campaign, and they made a decision on their own based on that guidance."
Morrell, in a subsequent interview, added that military officials told Obama he could only visit the military facility with his Secret Service detail and Senate staff.
"We made it clear to him that campaign staff and press would not be permitted to accompany him," Morrell said of Obama. "We relayed those ground rules. They made a choice based upon the information we relayed to them. It was their choice. We had nothing to do with it."[/
It's obvious - after being told no press, no cameras - he backed out. He would not be able to benefit from the optics and visuals the campaign so desires.
Is there a reason he needed his campaign staff with him to walk into a hospital and talk to the injured troops?
McCain couldn't bring his campaign staff in either. That didn't stop him.
Obama and his advisors decided that since even him going alone could be construed as a campaign visit (most definitely would've been deemed as such by McCain and his supporters, had Obama proceeded with the visit), and Obama didn't want to put the wounded soldiers in the middle of a future campaign argument (which, ironically, is what McCain has turned the whole issue into), he would cancel his trip.
Obama and his advisors decided that since even him going alone could be construed as a campaign visit (most definitely would've been deemed as such by McCain and his supporters, had Obama proceeded with the visit), and Obama didn't want to put the wounded soldiers in the middle of a future campaign argument (which, ironically, is what McCain has turned the whole issue into), he would cancel his trip.
Obama and his advisors decided that since even him going alone could be construed as a campaign visit (most definitely would've been deemed as such by McCain and his supporters, had Obama proceeded with the visit), and Obama didn't want to put the wounded soldiers in the middle of a future campaign argument (which, ironically, is what McCain has turned the whole issue into), he would cancel his trip.
How many times do y'all think sanrene needs to be told the truth and given sources and provided with examples and quotes, before s/he'll finally just get it, and concede to being just plain wrong?
A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying...that he is wiser today than yesterday.-Jonathan Swift, Author
How many times do y'all think sanrene needs to be told the truth and given sources and provided with examples and quotes, before s/he'll finally just get it, and concede to being just plain wrong?
The truth is in the fact that a sitting senator, no matter that he is a candidate, can visit the troops any time.
Just repeating obama's talking points and spin on the matter is hardly the truth.
btw, he's says he went to Walter Reed a while ago as a senator. No cameras, no press, no one really knew about it. He had NO problem due his candidacy.
The same should have been done in germany. Due to the FACT that the pentagon has said he was expected and welcomed, I tend to not believe the spin by the campaign.
Just because they were REMINDED of the rules and regulations, should have in no way detered the visit.
The problem was not being able to use the visit as a campaign prop - it's quite clear, when not under the spell.
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