Baghdad Dubya

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

(AP / CBS)

By now you've probably heard: President Bush is today making a brief, unannounced visit to Iraq to meet new Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

"The trip," notes the Associated Press's Terrence Hunt, "was known only to a handful of aides and a small number of reporters sworn to secrecy because of obvious security threats for Bush and members of his entourage."

Here's more on that front from the pool report:

Reporters were informed of the president's travel plans in person at a variety of Washington area restaurants, homes, and cafes little more than 24 hours before departure…Poolers were under strict orders to tell nobody about the travel, including spouses. Some were asked if their bureaus would notice their absence for a day or two.

The White House was serious about secrecy: The Iraqi government didn't know about the trip -- Maliki and members of his cabinet thought they were going to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for a video teleconference. Many members of Bush's cabinet did not know about the trip in advance.

The White House acknowledged that the security situation in Iraq necessitated the surprise nature of the trip. Not that there wasn't some spinning involved. "Obviously, when you're entering into a situation where the enemy is so active we have to be extra cautious," said Presidential counselor Dan Bartlett. "But I think the American people and the entire international community are reassured by the fact that the president is making such a personal effort to ensure the success of the new government."

We're curious how the press is going to play the secrecy angle. When the president made his surprise trip to Iraq for Thanksgiving, the White House could explain the secrecy of the trip by focusing on how Bush's visit was a morale-boosting surprise for the troops. This time, however, even Bartlett acknowledges that "a very determined enemy" and a dangerous security situation necessitated keeping the Iraqi government and much of the cabinet and press in the dark. One wonders whether the story of this trip will be Bush's "personal effort to ensure the success of the new government," as the White House hopes, or if instead journalists will focus on the fact that the president even now has to take relatively dramatic measures to ensure his safety in Baghdad.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by alphaa10-2009 June 15, 2006 3:14 AM EDT: mailpro56-- Obviously, I did not read "Baghdad Dubya" in the same light. I saw the title as a reference to Bush's love of theatrics, and as even you GOP partisans are fond of admitting, Bush grandstanding is clearly intended to have an effect. Those who understand teleconferencing-- its strengths and weaknesses-- know it does not lend itself to "hot" public spectacles like Bush jetting quickly to a stop at the Green Zone, then departing before the mujahedin can train their mortars. If al-Maliki was not exactly overwhelmed by the Bush "Handshake of reassurance-and-bye!", he understood most of this was for US video audiences. Another instance of Bush using the press, not the other way around. The most egregious misuse of the press, however, remains the PR buildup to Iraq invasion-- a campaign of deceit Bush tries to blame on bad intel from the CIA. But when you reflect a nanosecond on the cheap theatrics-- such as speaking on American exports before a backdrop of boxes labeled "Made in China", but hastily covered with photocopied signs, "Made in USA"-- you get the point. It is cheaper to use smoke and mirrors and hope the truth doesn't bite you too soon.; Reply to this comment


by mailpro56 June 14, 2006 12:40 PM EDT: alphaa10 Point most of were trying to make was that Brian continues to show his bias and consistently makes remarks like 'Baghdad Dubya'. By the way love to see your postings. It's good to see you folks on the left doing nothing but 'rant'. It has proven to be a successful strategy to win elections.; Reply to this comment


by alphaa10-2009 June 14, 2006 9:26 AM EDT: Misspelled Iraqi PM al-Maliki, but I was Bushed.; Reply to this comment


by alphaa10-2009 June 14, 2006 9:15 AM EDT: If Bush must take dramatic evasive measures to fly close to Baghdad, that suggests his control of the situation is not optimal. Even more to the point, why does he suppose a personal visit should count any more than solid progress against the insurgency? Malaki is the brave one-- willing to be associated with a pariah foreign (some insist colonialist) infidel superpower which invaded his own country. Malaki cannot jet in or out of Iraq like Bush-- he must live there. The real intent of the Bush "surprise" visit is more gladhanding and window dressing for a failed policy and massive deceit on the American people and congress. The "New Iraq"? Nixon tried the same thing with the New Nixon. BTW-- It is such a beautifully effective Rohrschach on the GOP faithful that all of the Usual Suspects show up to rant a defense of a point you never made. They could debate themselves, but would probably lose.; Reply to this comment


by bob___k June 14, 2006 1:12 AM EDT: Here's my take on Brian thinking of a title for the post. 'Baghdad Bob' is memorable because it's alliterative. I want to get a dig in agaist Bush. If I use the alliterative form 'Baghdad Bush' the title will drip with undeniable bias. If I don't use Bush and instead use Dubya I might be able to get away with plausible deniability. I just hope no one realizes 'Baghdad Brian' is available for others to use. Brian seems to making a big deal about the secrecy and ignoring the obvious. Maybe he would prefer they took the time to give notice? That way they might have an opportunity to do a live-fire test of AF1's missile defense system. Yeah. Just what we need. People in charge that are trying to garner a Darwin Award. http://www.darwinawards.com/; Reply to this comment


by one_american June 13, 2006 4:44 PM EDT: I challenge you, Brian, to write a post on the heroism and dedication of our nation's men and women in the armed forces, and dedication of our President and his administration to fighting terrorism and supporting democracy - without the snide comments, innuendos or including any contrary statements or personal attacks from the liberal left. Can you do it? This would be a good test of your journalistic skills.; Reply to this comment


by one_american June 13, 2006 4:25 PM EDT: My post was not a personal threat, Brian. It was a criticism, and you really should learn the difference. What you post are personal attacks, and CBS should have them deleted. Grow up.; Reply to this comment


by bmontopoli June 13, 2006 4:14 PM EDT: I've once again had to delete a comment for violation of our standards. Please try to keep the comments civil and avoid personal threats. Thank you.; Reply to this comment


by mailpro56 June 13, 2006 3:08 PM EDT: I meant to say Baghda Dubya..not Baghdad Bush; Reply to this comment


by simminch June 13, 2006 3:05 PM EDT: Overlooked in this media-spawned agita is that other Coalition leaders frequently make trips to Iraq in secrecy, for similar reasons. Of course, most of these trips are underreported in the American media to begin with as is the work done by our Coalition partners. Chuck Simmins America's North Shore Journal http://northshorejournal.org; Reply to this comment