Bush's Secret Mission To Iraq

President Bush arrived home from his surprise Thanksgiving visit to troops in Iraq just before daybreak Friday.

The president made the 15,000-mile journey under extraordinary secrecy and security Thursday to spend Thanksgiving with U.S. troops and thank them for "defending the American people from danger."

His unannounced visit, the first by any American president, was the talk of Baghdad and brought wild cheers from battle-worn soldiers.

It also drew praise from some political opponents at home, reports CBS News Correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.

"I thought it was terrific," says Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. "I'm pleased the president did that."

"I think his critics will also agree it was the right thing for him to do on Thanksgiving," adds Democratic strategist Donna Brazile.
"I believe President Bush's visit to the troops was a nice thing to do," Candidate John Edwards said through his spokeswoman.

"But unless this visit is followed by a change in policy that brings our allies and truly internationalizes the effort, our mission is not going to be successful."

CBS Correspondent Allen Pizzey reports that yesterday's presidential visit had U.S. troops buzzing, but also many Iraqis grumbling.

"I was amazed that I was in the same room as the president," says PFC Lekesa Owens.

"He cares about us being over here," adds Spc. Anwar Berry. "It was a big morale booster for us."

But as upbeat as the soldiers were about the presidential visit, some on the street had a different opinion.

"I don't think most Iraqis are overwhelmed by Mr. Bush," says Najim Tamimi. "The Americans are an occupation force."

Many complained that Bush met with few Iraqis during his secret, two-hour stay and never left the grounds of a heavily fortified U.S. base. Some also doubted the motives of the surprise visit.

"He visited Iraq for the sake of the Americans, not the Iraqis. He didn't come to see how we are doing," Muzher Abd Hanush said in his barbershop. "To come, say hello and leave, what good does that do?"

"I think this is good for him for the election in the next year," says Dr. Samir Mohaddin, a surgeon.

"Propaganda," adds Ra'ad Ahmed, an engineer. "Nothing concerned with Iraq. It's only something for him and his enemy."

But Condoleezza Rice, Mr. Bush's national security adviser, dismissed any suggestion the trip was made for political gain: "Let the chips fall where they may. But for the American people, I don't care what your party, they know that the president of the United States, as commander in chief, going to see these troops is an important step."

Iraqi politicians also had mixed reactions to the visit. Mouwafik al-Rubei'e, a member of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council who met Bush on Thursday night, said the president "reaffirmed his country's commitment to building a new, democratic and prosperous Iraq."

Mahmoud Othman, another member of the Governing Council, said the trip meant little: "We cannot consider Bush's arrival at Baghdad International Airport yesterday a visit to Iraq. He did not meet with ordinary Iraqis. Bush was only trying to boost the morale of his troops."

Mr. Bush said he thought Americans would be understanding about the deception because it was important for soldiers at risk to know that the commander in chief and the country supported them and appreciated their sacrifices.

He told reporters that Americans understand that if the trip had been announced "it would have put me in harm's way. It would have put others in harm's way, including yourselves."

The bold nature of the trip, with television networks broadcasting the news on a day when most Americans were at home with families watching football or parades, could give Mr. Bush a PR boost at a time of steadily increasing casualties among U.S. troops and polling that shows postwar Iraq becoming more of a liability for the president.

Behind the trip were weeks of top-secret planning, doubts and last minute questions. It began in mid-October when chief of staff Andy Card asked Mr. Bush whether he would be interested in going to Baghdad for the holiday.

"Yes, I would," Mr. Bush replied. "Except I don't want to go if it puts anyone in harm's way. I said it's very essential I understand all aspects of the trip, starting with whether or not we could get in and out safely."

If word leaked out of the trip, Air Force One could become a prized target for terrorists and Saddam Hussein loyalists.

Mr. Bush said he was "the biggest skeptic of all" about whether the trip could be pulled off. He questioned military commanders and the civilian administrator in Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, and even sat down with the pilot of Air Force One, Col. Mark Tillman, to go over details.

Three hours from Baghdad, Mr. Bush still was concerned about secrecy.

He questioned his secret service agents and they checked with officials on the ground. No leaks. Mr. Bush said he had been prepared to pull the plug if the secret were out.

The troops had been told only that they were gathered for Thanksgiving dinner with a VIP guest in the mess hall at Baghdad International Airport.

L. Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator in Iraq, added his own drama to the surprise. Billed as the special guest along with coalition forces commander Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, Bremer opened the program by telling the soldiers it was time to read the president's Thanksgiving proclamation.

He asked if there was "anybody back there more senior than us" to read the president's words. Mr. Bush emerged from behind a curtain as cheering soldiers climbed on chairs and tables to yell their approval.

The president shed a few tears. "I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere," he joked. "Thanks for inviting me to dinner."

Mr. Bush promised that insurgents testing America's commitment will not be rewarded with a U.S. retreat.

"We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost of casualties, defeat a ruthless dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins," Mr. Bush told about 600 soldiers from the 1st Armored Division and the 82nd Airborne.

On a day when Americans count blessings, Mr. Bush told the troops, "You are defending the American people from danger and we are grateful."

With U.S. forces in Iraq the target of regular, deadly attacks, Mr. Bush has been heavily criticized for his policies, particularly from Democrats seeking to turn the issue into a political vulnerability for him in next year's presidential election.

More than five dozen U.S. troops were killed by hostile fire in November, more than any other month since the end of major combat in Iraq on May 1. Since operations began, nearly 300 U.S. service members have died of hostile action, including 183 since May 1.