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Military Welcome of President Obama in Iraq Was Staged!

By David Hinz - Posted on April 12th, 2009
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According to a report from Flopping Aces, that wonderful cheering welcome that President Obama received with his unscheduled surprise visit to the troops in Iraq, was entirely a staged event.

The troops were interrogated beforehand, with those military members who had voted for President Obama given identical digital cameras and placed in front of the media cameras covering the event.

Charles Dharapak/associated press

According to the report from Flopping Aces, a sergeant who was there explained the subterfuge. "We were pre-screened, asked by officials 'Who voted for Obama?', and then those who raised their hands were shuffled to the front of the receiving line. They even handed out digital cameras and asked them to hold them up."

Now then, political operatives from the Administration orchestrate a faux-cheering crowd of adoring military, right in front of the media covering the event, and that media reports?

From the AP:

Quote:

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama went for the defining television shot by capping his first extended foreign tour with a surprise visit to Iraq.

He got it – pictures of hundreds of U.S. troops cheering wildly as he told them it was time for the Iraqis to take charge of their own future.

The war-zone photo opportunity produced a stunning show of appreciation for Obama from military men and women who have made great sacrifices, many serving repeated tours in a highly unpopular war.

So, the professional journalists [stop laughing -- I'm serious here] assigned to report the news of the President's visit, saw cheering throngs of adoring troops, but failed to note the screening process that made the Kodak Moment possible.

The New Media -- Doing The Job The Oldstream Media Refuses To Do

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Steve Foley's picture
Great find Dave! n/t
Submitted by Steve Foley on Sun, 2009-04-12 16:45.

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gamecock's picture
ditto
Submitted by gamecock on Mon, 2009-04-13 05:43.

"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson

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The Emporer has NO CLOTHES
Submitted by iris on Mon, 2009-04-13 04:37.

This shouldn't surprise anyone who has contact with those serving in the US Armed Forces.

It's really rather pathetic and sad that this man is SO NARCISSISTIC that he has to stage events like this everywhere he goes.

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David Hinz's picture
Sadly, he IS the president
Submitted by David Hinz on Mon, 2009-04-13 05:28.

and as the president, he commands a certain respect from the military regardless of who he might be.

The screening process was, quite probably, unnecessary. Would some, if not most, of the personnel been lukewarm in their greeting? Probably! Would those who supported him for president greeted him warmly and enthusiastically? Certainly.

The problem is, the left understands all too well that perception is reality in the media, and the perception that ANYONE was less than enthusiastic about greeting the new president could simply not be tolerated.

"Miss Tagart, do you know the hallmark of the second-rater? It's resentment of another man's achievement."

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Obama in Iraq?
Submitted by CarolT on Mon, 2009-04-13 14:45.

I saw the tepid response last time he was with troops, so I doubted they would suddenly cheer him on,

When they were with GWB I could see the mutual admiration between him and the troops. At least GWB did not have to fake it or take a teleprompter with him everywhere.

If Obama had no teleprompter, I doubt the old media would have fallen for him like they did,.

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Setting the record straight
Submitted by Soldier deploye... on Sat, 2009-04-25 00:50.

I am a Soldier deployed in Baghdad and was in al-Faw Palace for the President's visit and can honestly tell you this was not a staged event.

A few days prior to the visit, there were rumors among the soldiers that Obama was going to stop in Baghdad but the information was close-hold due to operational security concerns. The day Obama arrived, I knew he was in Baghdad but didn't think much about it b/c there wasn't a chance in hell I would see him. Then a message was sent out for all available troops to report to al-Faw Palace immediately. We all knew it was to see the President. It was a surprise to all the soldiers, but I'm certain this was pre-planned for us to be there. They just couldn't tell us ahead of time due to security reasons. Some soldiers and civilians weren't Obama fans so they didn't go, but the rest of us did. I also brought my digital camera for this significant event.

There were hundreds of soldiers lined up outside the palace and not everyone made it in. Once inside the palace we were packed in there like a crowd at a concert. At no time did they ask us if we voted for Obama. It wasn't important. All of us there VOLUNTEERED to be there because we wanted to see the President. So it was no surprise when the President showed up, the whole crowd went crazy.

Everyone in there brought their own digital camera, holding them up trying to get a good shot of the President. I could barely see him b/c so many heads and cameras were blocking my view. The media reps even approached the guy next to me b/c his camera was blocking the view for their story. The media were staged behind the crowd on a small elevated platform, but the platform wasn't high enough. The media coordinators failed to anticipate the hundreds of people that would attempt to take a picture of the President.

After the President finished his speech, he walked around the entire barrier and shook everyone's hand that was standing at the edge of the barriers. I was one of the lucky ones who got to shake his hand.

This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and am disappointed at all those who are trying to fabricate a story and diminish the support our soldiers and the America people have for our President. Quit being a sour grape.

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David Hinz's picture
thank you for your service
Submitted by David Hinz on Sat, 2009-04-25 03:28.

That is the beauty of an all volunteer military.

we appreciate your joining us to tell your side of this story.

And it does appear to be your side. The story we quote was not made up out of "sour grapes" but was also reported.

"Miss Tagart, do you know the hallmark of the second-rater? It's resentment of another man's achievement."

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