How many times has McCain gone to Iraq? And he is still clueless about the war

So what has all that travel done for him? If a fellow has already had his mind made up for him by his sponsors, how do photo-op junkets help the troops?

If another fellow has the ability to think critically, learn and speak to people who have returned from Iraq, why does he need to spend the money on more trips?

Seeing does not guarantee learning. bush proved that axiom. McCain travels but doesn't learn anything. You don't have to go to a place to know about it. Now, if photo-ops is the depth of one's concern, McCain's trips to Iraq have served their purpose.

McCain, the next photo op poster boy? Nope, we don't need another Captain Cod Piece.

Don't think it will last past midnight though.

Figure some un-DUers may be reading this site and I would like them to seriously consider some pertinent questions about McCain.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/have-you-been-to-iraq--76-sens.-say-they-have-2007-08-01.html

Not sure who visited since last August.

top few: (So if it's all based on # of visits, will McCain defer to Biden who has at least as many visits, and Levin and Reed who have more?)

10 visits
Jack Reed (D-R.I.)

9 visits
John Warner (R-Va.)

8 visits
James Inhofe (R-Okla.)
Carl Levin (D-Mich.)

7 visits
Joseph Biden (D-Del.)
Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)

6 visits
Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.)
John McCain (R-Ariz.)
Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.)

5 visits
Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.)
Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.)

4 visits
John Kerry (D-Mass.)

VIP visits can't make life safer for the guys who have to drop what they are doing and make like tour guides while trying to keep the pol de jour safe.

threw out about the Iraq trip. There is very little constructive purpose in politicians traveling to Iraq under the necessary tight security. They could learn more via closed circuit TV linked between Iraq and the U.S.

but he cannot link the cost (in lives & treasure) to america's larger issue: our future.

McCain is the expert on Iraq:

The Washington Post: "Sen. John McCain, traveling in the Middle East to promote his foreign policy expertise, misidentified in remarks Tuesday which broad category of Iraqi extremists are allegedly receiving support from Iran. He said several times that Iran, a predominately Shiite country, was supplying the mostly Sunni militant group, al-Qaeda. In fact, officials have said they believe Iran is helping Shiite extremists in Iraq."

More: "Pressed to elaborate, McCain said it was 'common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that's well known. And it's unfortunate.' A few moments later, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, standing just behind McCain, stepped forward and whispered in the presidential candidate's ear. McCain then said: 'I'm sorry, the Iranians are training extremists, not al-Qaeda.'"


Dear God...when will it end?