McCain Surrogates Still Blasting Obama's Iraq Trip

On Thursday, John McCain communications director Jill Hazelbaker raised eyebrows when she appeared to make a frontal attack on Barack Obama's supposed purpose in visiting Iraq and Afghanistan, describing it as a "first-of-its-kind campaign rally overseas."

Upon initial review, it proved too spicy a riposte for the spokeswoman's own boss, who told reporters aboard his Straight Talk Express that he was personally "glad" for Obama's visit to Iraq and Afghanistan, and that he would have to "talk to" Hazelbaker about her remark.

When team McCain regrouped, however, perhaps they found that it would be tough to simply blame Hazelbaker for popping off, since the campaign had already lent the attack a more authoritative air by blast-emailing out her comments under official seal. So, later Thursday, as First Read reported, McCain attempted to distinguish between the Global War on Terror stops on Obama's trip, which they are now supposed to be fine with, and the speeches in Europe -- such as in Germany -- which McCain is comfortable describing as having "political flavor, to say the least."

That's a nice bit of political footwork, so long as the McCain campaign can stick to the steps and only accuse Obama of politics when he's standing in Europe. But there are signs that, as Obama's foreign trip approaches, they simply may not be able to resist the urge to attack Obama's visit to Iraq in particular.

This morning, the McCain campaign emailed out a Wall Street Journal editorial that noted "a media entourage as large as some of his rallies" will be in along for the ride with Obama in Iraq. "He'll no doubt learn a lot, in addition to getting a good photo op," the Journal also opined, subtly making the same charge as Hazelbaker regarding the trip's ostensibly political roots.

And at Thursday's unveiling of a new anti-Obama campaign video, several Republican members of Congress who had been rounded up by the McCain campaign ventured onto Hazelbaker-like turf, as well.

Right after noting that Obama's upcoming visit to Afghanistan will be his first, North Carolina Senator Richard Burr told reporters: "I think it's safe to say that as this trip becomes reality, it's also reality that it's more about politics than it is about fact-finding or about exploring the relationships abroad for our country and others in the future."

Rep. Eric Cantor trod similar ground when decrying the amount of media attention planned for Obama's trip, saying: "Is this type of coverage fair? This is nothing but a political stunt."

And, finally, Rep. Marsha Blackburn made reference to the "702 guardsmen" and "15,000 men and women from Fort Campbell" serving abroad before adding that she hoped Obama would "spare them the photo-op," if his mind is "already made up."

Her last line before handing things back over to McCain senior foreign policy adviser Randy Scheunemann? "I hope he will not insult [the troops] by telling them it is politics and not their good work that is going to influence his policy."

So, while McCain himself may only choose to accuse Obama of playing politics when he gives a speech in Germany, as of now, it's far from clear that he's instructed his surrogates to do the same.

Comments

[sherbug]

Well what would we call McCain's coincidental appearance in Columbia on the very day that the hostages were rescued. It might not have been a campaign rally, but it sure was an intended photo-op that didn't work out like he thought.

[UsofA]

McCain's campaign is revealing it's envy and animosity at being outflanked by Obama at virtually every turn. However, consider today's development: despite Obama's secrecy about his European and Middle East itinerary for obvious security reasons, McCain personally and deliberately revealed Obama's first stop in the Middle East. I consider endangering the security of a fellow American overseas in hopes of gaining some tactical advantage reprehensible. And beneath anyone running for America's highest office.

[RFBorjal]

The McCain surrogates are just green with envy. McCain won't attract the kind of international attention that Obama does. So, who is the real global player?

[jetfueler]

Green is the campaign.s background color isn't it?

[richdoll]

mccain went abroad just as soon as he became the presumtive nomenee with lieberman trying to look presidential & he did not invite the press with him, however he did make that major gaffe sunni& shites. he wennt thru Europe just like obama will so what's the big deal i see as a case of meow. mccain is being very petty. he went off to canada & made a speech and played rambo down in columbia and he did not want the press with him.. he's crying foul play.every­one will watch what obama does and says does not give him credit for anything i cannot understand he's an intelligent man with good judgement.

[jupitor]

I don't get it! First Mccain puts him down for not going Abroad---------Than he puts him down for going abroad! He puts him down for wanting to with draw the troops a year ago------------Than as if it's all news he puts him down againd yesterday saying he was makeing policy before he even goes to iraq! what policy? He said this all along, not just this one time before he leaves for iraq! Mccain need to have his mental health checked! He makes no sense any more!

[akkadian]

When McCain travels abroad, it is 'strengthening the ties with America's friends and allies.'
When Obama travels it is a 'stunt.'
Well done McStunt,

[rlkinny]

Will somebody please point out to Phil Gramm what true whiners sound like? They're the folks on the McCain staff whining about the coverage that Obama will be getting on his trip to Europe and the Middle East -- a trip that McCain literally goaded Obama to take. (Not a good chess move, John).

Perhaps McCain is upset because he had very little press coverage for his recent trip to South America. (Yawn). So, when McCain travels overseas, it's for fact finding? And when Obama travel overseas it's a photo-op? Jeesh!

[ChetHolly]

I wonder what press the McCain campaign would get if they would talk about their policies rather then their prattle about their misgivings with Barack's itinerary?

[dartagnan]

Let the McCainiacs talk -- they just come across sounding petulant and childish. When McCain goes to Iraq and strolls around for a few minutes surrounded by about a brigade of troops and then tells everybody how safe Baghdad is THAT isn't a stunt, and when Smirky McChimp goes to Iraq to deliver a plastic turkey at Thanksgiving THAT isn't a stunt -- but when Obama goes to Iraq it IS a stunt? Please.

[mscriblerus]

This is a foolish and pointless criticism. If the trip goes well, Obama will return with a report from the "generals on the ground" riding a wave of foreign press about citizen reaction, and the stark difference in both demeanor and policy between him and Bush.

He will give a speech with the new validity of having consulted with troop leaders and Iraqi officials. Essentially, all of these criticisms will be at least wiped out, and possibly backfire. I can't figure out what they are thinking.

[CrittersRTasty]

McCain pretending to chastise his folks for the remark is almost as funny as Obama pretending this is anything but a photo-op..­.Both parties would be funny if this wasnt all so depressing­....

[Chazz27]

None of these guys has figured out that they don't get to define Obama's reason for making this trip. It's okay when McSame goes to Columbia and gets "briefed" on the hostage release effort. That isn't political althogh the timing is really suspect. It's not okay for someone to steal their thunder which is what the real message is.

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Damn if he goes; damn if he doesn't. Get over it and move on.

[SamBrown]

Didn't Senator McCain just make a trip abroad while Clinton and Obama were still hashing it out?
He went over and tried to look Presidential and introduce/sell himself on the world stage. That's what Presidential candidates do, right? But Obama isn't supposed to do that? C'mon.
What reasonable person could not see this petty sniping for what it is? Anything to cast Obama in a continuous negative, "questionable character" light. Ugh.
First it's pot shots about Obama not having been over there, now it's "a political stunt" for him to go.......
It won't ever be the "respectful campaign about the issues" that we were promised, my friends.
If McCain was the straight-talkin' man of character that he proclaims to be, he would run strictly on his ideas and policies and quit the damned sniping.
"Here is why my ideas will work, here is why his won't."
Let's start with the Bush administration's tax cuts. Why do you now think they are a good idea and should be made permanent? How are we going to tax-cut our way out of the debt we are in, especially while we are still at war on two fronts? Cutting WHICH domestic programs will balance the budget in the near future?
I long to be convinced.

[LAR1969]

A stunt, yes. He's an Evel Knievel copy cat if I've ever seen one.

[Verified]

"Rep. Marsha Blackburn made reference to the '702 guardsmen' and '15,000 men and women from Fort Campbell' serving abroad before adding that she hoped Obama would 'spare them the photo-op,' if his mind is 'already made up.''"

Why do politicians always cry politics while they are playing politics? Is it self-loathing perhaps? This is one of the most offensive comments I have heard out of seven years of offensive comments. If Obama failed to speak to soldiers and marines who are responsible for executing this dreadful war, then they would accuse him of ignoring them.

I am perpetually infuriated by Righties who like to infer that the precious "troops" are all Republicans who view Dems as interlopers. I haven't seen Blackburn kicking in any Baghdad doors searching for suicide bombers.