The October Surprise: Bush flying to Iraq for a photo op?

Just read it on DKos. Someone was speculating that Bush is taking a day off this Saturday and it would be the perfect time to fly to Iraq for another fake turkey photo op.

If this is to happen, how much will it affect the vote? It is just 10 days prior to the election.

Your thoughts?

with all the Iraqis welcoming him as a liberator.

and him going there wont change a goddamned thing.

i vote he should go, by all means

is caught and they bring him to the US on Air Force One.

with hunting

boo!

Bush...posing with just another dead turkey.

It's not as if Iraq is such an indisputable success. In fact, the White House seems to want to keep people's minds off Iraq. Also, Baghdad's not the safest place right now - what if there are bombings and the Secret Service yanks his ass out of there - how's that going to play in the red meat states? Finally, can he really afford to spend at least 3 days out of the country leaving all the battleground states free for Kerry to get on local TV? Sure, he'll dominate part of the news, but he'll be like 8 hours ahead of the news cycle unable to respond rapidly to Kerry. And for what?

It would backfire. Bush should not be doing anything to call attention to Iraq if he hopes to win, this would only bring up the "Mission Accomplished" photo op. I suppose if the U.S. starts a full scale offensive in the Sunni triangle he could make a trip there seem called for, but he would be rolling the dice in desperation.

3-days. That's all the media attention that this will receive. Last time it did next to nothing for his approval.

I know the donkey is our baby, but he could complete his Jesus look by doing this. His action figure dolls would then have another outfit to change into besides the Mission Accomplished, chain saw naturalist and mountain biker ones.

They could include a mini RNC convention podium-as-crucifix, as well.

Defeating just Cheney on Nov. 2nd wouldn't be nearly as gratifying.

not saying he won't do it, but um... so? big deal.

The press whores following him would get an EARFUL from the rank and file. The troops do not support this war, and neither do their families. They aren't saying much, because they stayed awake in Military Rights and Responsibilities class, but the sentiment is anti-war, anti-Bush. It's what happens when you promise kids a college education for two weekends a month, two weeks a year, and instead they are activated forever, and have to pick up the body parts of their friends and stuff them in a contractor garbage bag with handles and a zipper.

It would take him off the campaign trail for almost two days, too. Think he's willing to let Dick carry the water alone for two days? Even with Condi out there, who is breaking every rule of political protocol by giving partisan speeches in swing states, he is not getting the numbers up.

Personally, I think it is too risky, not from a personal safety standpoint, but from a political standpoint. All he would need is a single lead story in the NYT quoting "soldiers who asked not to be named," or "a corporal who asked only to be identified as Joe" criticizing the war, and all that flying is neutralized. Also, if his visit is punctuated by an increase in casualties, that would go against him.

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its not even a surprise.

Anything short of OBL won't help.

It is strange that he would take a Saturday off the campaign trail in order to go back to Crawford, but that is exactly what they say he is doing.

from: http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/special_packages/election2004/9969897.htm

By comparison, Bush has visited his Crawford home 40 times since 2001, according to the White House travel office. He will be back in Texas on Saturday for his 41st visit since he was sworn into office in 2001.

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Might this be a cover story for him showing up in Iraq or maybe he just can't handle all the hard work?

Bush can go over and pretend to trick-or-treat with the soldiers. Imagine the guffawery when a smirking Bush shows up with a plastic Jack o' Lantern trick-or-treat bag, joking with the Marines!!! He could dress up like a cowboy, a baseball player, Spiderman, or even like Uncle Sam! He could even crack wise with comments like "Howdy, fellas. Found the weapons, yet?" The Media Whores will just EAT IT UP with references to "good, ol' boy" and "connecting with the common man," or "Isn't THIS the candidate you'd most rather like to share a Twinkie with?!!"

I fear the election would be over with this one photo op...:scared:

That Karl Rove is a GENIUS!

(/sarcasm)

..and we can see how much they love him.