Video: Troops cheer Obama in Baghdad
posted at 3:55 pm on April 7, 2009 by Allahpundit
People seemed interested in the way he was received at Camp Lejeune in February so I thought they’d be interested in this. Sorry for needing three clips to show it; the first is the only one that has the entrance, the second is the only one that has decipherable audio, and the third has the most extensive footage of his interaction with the troops afterwards. (And a cameo from noted Democratic shill/White House correspondent Jennifer Loven.) For reasons stated in my post two months ago, The One’s morale boosters on Iraq will forever retain an element of the surreal. But I give him credit for making the effort here. It was the commander-in-chief-ly thing to do.
As for the cheers, Andy Levy snarks, “It’s almost like they don’t want him to fail. Or something.” I’d call him a RINO if he was a Republican! Click the first image to watch.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 Next »
Was that Jennifer Loven who screamed “We love you”?
aquaviva on April 7, 2009 at 3:58 PM
105% of troops support Obama.
New CBS poll.
artist on April 7, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Believe me, the troops were assembled and told (ordered) to show a great welcome.
DamnYankee on April 7, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Was that Jennifer Loven who screamed “We love you”?
aquaviva on April 7, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Is that Rahm in fatigues?
artist on April 7, 2009 at 3:59 PM
If they didn’t cheer they’d have 1000 pushups to do tomorrow morning.
ballz2wallz on April 7, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Really, how is the president visiting the troops in Iraq, whoever the president is, “BREAKING NEWS”?
MadisonConservative on April 7, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Since Obama bows to the Saudi Monarch, who is the real CinC of the troops in iraq?
jp on April 7, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Goodbye, TOTUS. Hello, ICOTUS: Index Card of The United States.
Michelle on April 7, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Next stop, a trip to visit some contractors who will soon be unemployed due to defense cuts.
And they will be cheering wildly!
artist on April 7, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Good for the troops…they greatly deserve excitement of having the President there…
looks like TOTUS is now I-COTUS (index card of the US)
joepub on April 7, 2009 at 4:01 PM
If they greeted him warmly, I will just accept that they greeted him warmly, and leave it at that.
A Balrog of Morgoth on April 7, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Obama’s Community Organizing,and is busy
signing up new Democrat voters!!
canopfor on April 7, 2009 at 4:02 PM
How sure are we that they didn’t have lessons from the Colts in how to pipe in crowd noise?
How sure are we that it wasn’t the traveling press corps cheering?
I’m just saying………
gatorgirl on April 7, 2009 at 4:02 PM
“Hey Sarge!” “Isn’t he the one that’s going to make me pay for a new foot when mine get’s blown off?:
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on April 7, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Michelle…we are kindred spirits…
joepub on April 7, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Boo hoo – you sad ‘conservatives’ can’t get a break.
capitulus on April 7, 2009 at 4:03 PM
joepub – jinx, you owe me a coke!
Michelle on April 7, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Who was giving the free concert?
faraway on April 7, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Meh.
That’s what you do when you’re a grown up. Even if you disagree with whomever is visiting, you be polite because that’s what an adult does…..
If anything, it shows the incredible maturity of the Armed Forces. Unlike those schmucks who booed Ann Coulter, tried to assault other conservatives and threw shoes at President Bush….
mjk on April 7, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Ah, smiles before he ships them to the mountains of Afghanistan. That will make Sarah’s turkey assassination look pretty mild by comparison.
The Taliban fighters can use Pakistan as a sheltered base of supply and safety. This is gonna drag on…and on…and on.
Sapwolf on April 7, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Yeah, he should visit Starkwood HQ.
aquaviva on April 7, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Is that Hopey’s new Temple,
i do love the marble,but its
missing Michelle’s touch,of new
curtains,tho!!!
canopfor on April 7, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Ubetcha.
Sapwolf on April 7, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Maybe he went over to apologize for saying “Air Raiding Villages and Killing Civilians”. To our troops.
Firebird on April 7, 2009 at 4:07 PM
I thought all Liberals who voted in Hopey/Changey,
wanted the war to stop!!
canopfor on April 7, 2009 at 4:07 PM
More like;
Seven Percent Solution on April 7, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Like the Politburo cheering for Stalin. Who will stop clapping first comrade?
A nation of strong arms.
Sapwolf on April 7, 2009 at 4:08 PM
carbon_footprint on April 7, 2009 at 4:08 PM
What a forced POS “coverage”.
Look at the faces on stage (oddly – mainly minority troops) I dont see their mouths moving and appear a bit antsy with the staged event.
You better believe there were strict orders to cheer and applaud or they got a shit detail.
I guarantee a story, in about 2 weeks, will come out about how it was forced upon the troops. After the “success” has been achieved, of course.
Odie1941 on April 7, 2009 at 4:08 PM
TOTUS comments,
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 7, 2009 at 4:08 PM
I’m sure every one of them had to fill out a questionnaire to their voting record before being allowed entry.
Kaptain Amerika on April 7, 2009 at 4:09 PM
What is the deal with bloggers and namedropping on Twitter. And what is so cool about Twitter? Isn’t it just the hipster douchebag version of AOL Instant Messaging?
A Balrog of Morgoth on April 7, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Gawd the guy even needs index cards? Wow. Way to convince people you’re not just a puppet.
TheBigOldDog on April 7, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Dude, I don’t need a break.
But those soldiers are gonna need a break, or they’ll get broken. Afghanistan will be no fun in the park.
Sapwolf on April 7, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Simply magic.
radiofreevillage on April 7, 2009 at 4:11 PM
So,I guess the Liberal, who emotional sunk so many tears
and years into the protest,of bring our troops home,
were,
B E T R A Y E D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on April 7, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Non-story. They’re troops showing the proper respect for the office of the CIC. Doesn’t make them fall-over-backwards fans of Giggles.
crazy_legs on April 7, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Kaptain Amerika on April 7, 2009 at 4:09 PM
You may be on to something. I bet they were screened first. Just like reporters for his Press Conferences.
kingsjester on April 7, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Just goes to show that service men and women have more class than your average Democrat.
rivlax on April 7, 2009 at 4:11 PM
The dust storm that prevented Obama from getting to the green zone turned out to be prayer-rug cleaning convention.
Rovin on April 7, 2009 at 4:11 PM
That too.
crazy_legs on April 7, 2009 at 4:11 PM
If the troops are excited to see him, thats fine. Respect the Office, not necessarily the man or woman in it.
portlandon on April 7, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Yeah… Aren’t they all cowards?
radiofreevillage on April 7, 2009 at 4:12 PM
You folks insisting that the soldiers assembled were ordered or coherced into cheering–you don’t really hold joes in very high regard, do you?
Try this: it’s a big US Military, and when you go to VBC or BIAP, it’s not that hard to find enough service members who either support the President or are apolitical and want to meet the President, regardless of his views. I’d make a joke about how it was all REMFs & FOBBITs, but even that wouldn’t be necessarily accurate.
But sure, imply that we’re all a bunch of zombies who clap on command, that sort of sneering rationalism won’t bite you in the @ss down the road.
pmm on April 7, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Yeah, I, for one, am routinely excited out of respect.
radiofreevillage on April 7, 2009 at 4:14 PM
pmm on April 7, 2009 at 4:12 PM
+1
A Balrog of Morgoth on April 7, 2009 at 4:14 PM
I enlisted in 1986, and got out in 1989. So, I served under Reagan and Bush.
But even if I had served under Clinton, or now under Obama, I still think it would have been a great honor to be visited by the President, and I’m reasonably sure the men and women in my unit would have felt the same and been excited at the visit (even as we griped about the extra barracks parties).
malclave on April 7, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Ah, comedy; It never had to have any substance anyway.
eforhan on April 7, 2009 at 4:15 PM
I think it is always a big deal for the troops to see the President, whoever he is.
But they cheered more for Bush.
Still though, it is something to write home about.
Terrye on April 7, 2009 at 4:17 PM
They’ll all have post-military work in Obama’s Civilian Force.
marklmail on April 7, 2009 at 4:17 PM
radiofreevillage:
I have seen pictures of troops giving men like Bush a standing ovation and several minutes of sustained applause. These troops tended to vote overwhelmingly for McCain, that is how the votes broke down..but that does not mean they are not excited to see the President. Most of them are patriotic and they believe in their country. Imagine that.
Terrye on April 7, 2009 at 4:19 PM
What he said. Denigrating the troops who cheered their commander-in-chief just because that CiC happens to be Obama is petty.
Slublog on April 7, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Weren’t your wounds self-inflicted? I’ve read it in a book or something. I think everyone‘s curious to know.
radiofreevillage on April 7, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Because they respect the office. They serve, not for political reasons, but because of their love for our country. My brother served under both Repubs and Dems and he respected every one of them. Even if he didn’t agree with their political aspirations, he still respected the office.
Something liberals have no understanding of.
Conservative_SAHM on April 7, 2009 at 4:20 PM
This comes at a good time. He needs to be reminded of what’s important and who he is working for. You are president of the US, not the world. Get it straight.
sherry on April 7, 2009 at 4:20 PM
If I was in the military still and stationed in Iraq your damn straight I would have camera out and try and get a photo of the president. Its got to be a cool experience.
rob verdi on April 7, 2009 at 4:20 PM
If they hadn’t cheered, it would have been proof that the troops hate Obama. Since they did cheer, it means they were forced to.
OK.
Proud Rino on April 7, 2009 at 4:20 PM
The troops are patriots. They will cheer the President of the United States.
Mr. D on April 7, 2009 at 4:21 PM
So this is what they do to the kids who are forced to volunteer their time. Dress them up as soldiers, and make propoganda films. LOL j/k.
capejasmine on April 7, 2009 at 4:21 PM
They found a sympathetic sample and conducted a staged event. Everything this dolt does is carefully planned and controlled. Don’t be misled by this charade.
rplat on April 7, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Well, these are not THE troops, they are SOME troops.
If 1/3 support him, you will always have SOME who cheer.
And the press corps WILL work those things out.
artist on April 7, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Did he apologize? He use to do that overseas.
the_nile on April 7, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Eh, if some soldiers are excited to see the POTUS that’s their choice; not all of them are going to be against the guy, just most of them. The military isn’t a monolith of opinion.
Bishop on April 7, 2009 at 4:23 PM
That doesn’t sound doltish at all. That sounds pretty smart.
Proud Rino on April 7, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Having sat through the THIRD take of the opening monologue of a Bob Hope USO show…
Yes… everyone in the audience knows exactly what is expected of them.
Romeo13 on April 7, 2009 at 4:23 PM
You took my post out of my keyboard…Bush was cheered and greeted with beaming troop faces in Iraq as well (the msm just didn’t have the same alacrity in showcasing it as they do Obama’s reception footage)…American troops are typically very patriotic and respectful of their Commander in Chief. God bless our military.
RepubChica on April 7, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Come on, MC. It was for George Bush.
Buy Danish on April 7, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Jimmy Carter Redux.
saiga on April 7, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Thanks for pointing that out, thought I was the only “angry white person” who noticed. Obama’s people are still staging his speeches just like they did in the campaign. Remember when they got in trouble for putting the Muslim women behind him in one of his campaign stops? This guy never stops campaigning does he? Guess it is the only thing he really understands, except community organizing!
Susanboo on April 7, 2009 at 4:23 PM
My sourse in Baghdad said that the troops that were there were hand picked in advance on the way they had voted for pres.If true this smells.
thmcbb on April 7, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Proud Rino:
I don’t think people feel that way. Presidents come and go, some of these young people will be career military and they might serve under several presidents. I am sure it is a big deal to see the president and if only a third of the troops in Iraq voted for the man, that is still a bunch of people. And even the ones who did not vote for him might well be excited about the idea to seeing the President of the United States.
Terrye on April 7, 2009 at 4:25 PM
I may not like Obama,
But i would be flippin stoked if he came to see me after feeling ignored by his administration for the past few months.
They may support him, they may not. But i seen how people get excited over wet naps (roughly the same elation shown here) so its not really news worthy. I dont think they are coerced or told to cheer. But it sure beats sitting in a room doing nothing which was most likely the other option.
Yngmarine on April 7, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Unless Ogabe just got done executing a few generals or something, it is a big deal for him to visit Iraq; for the time being he is the CinC and it does say something to the troops that he is there.
How sincere they think Ogabe is, especially his past opinions of their efforts and how he conducted himself while in Europe, that’s something else.
Bishop on April 7, 2009 at 4:27 PM
I am proud that our troops can be gracious to a failed President.
That thing with the cards jumped out at me too. Honestly has there ever been a human who simply could not speak off the cuff? Everything he says has to be written? That is truly shocking. Well at least he can read… that’s his Harvard education for you.
petunia on April 7, 2009 at 4:28 PM
yngmarine,
exactly.
rob verdi on April 7, 2009 at 4:29 PM
He sounds really reliable.
Proud Rino on April 7, 2009 at 4:30 PM
If Obama did not have a history of packing his town halls with campaign workers and arranging his audiences {who was it who was heard to say I need more white people} there would not be a question as to whether or not he was supported.
But one thing is for sure, left to him no American president would be welcome in Baghdad because Saddam and his psycho offspring would still be shooting at our planes and plotting the murder of our presidents.
Terrye on April 7, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Equal amounts of sincerity and good manners.
Cindy Munford on April 7, 2009 at 4:31 PM
So Obama got a couple troops to cheer for him.
Wow.
Some change.
bluelightbrigade on April 7, 2009 at 4:31 PM
This is a good thing, trust me. Yeah nitwit nutroots might use it as a talking point, but don’t let their stupidity detract from what actually happened. Obama is in Iraq continuing the Bush policy and embracing the military and the mission there.
rob verdi on April 7, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Funny.
RepubChica on April 7, 2009 at 4:31 PM
I certainly hope our military is disciplined enough to continue to obey commands even with a failed President at the head. It would be dangerous world if the US Military decided to strike out on it’s own.
petunia on April 7, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Not much to spin with this one, huh?
capitulus on April 7, 2009 at 4:32 PM
That’s what I was thinking. The venue is pretty small so they probably filled it with soldiers that WANTED to see the CinC.
Noone is going to ordered to clap or cheer for the President. If it was a large enough assembly where you’d get soldiers that despise our President, at best they would get a stern reminder to respect the Office and to act accordingly.
SPCOlympics on April 7, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Agreed. I also remember you saying this in a thread about Bush visiting Iraq. I just don’t seem to find the quote right now. Weird.
radiofreevillage on April 7, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Why of course it’s “doltish” . . . his notes and teleprompter give him his words and his flunkies and handlers design and enforce the outcome of a predesigned scenario. The most undesirable outcome would be for him to digress to spontaneity.
rplat on April 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Ugh…I didn’t watch the vids but Ogabe used index cards? ROFL!
Can’t you just walk in the room and say hello, great work people, you’re doing an awesome job and the nation is proud of you? Then shake some hands, meet and greet, take some photos with the troops? You have to card your words?
Again, ROFL! If it’s really in your heart, you shouldn’t need help with what to say. Little 4×8 paper teleprompters.
Bishop on April 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Who was giving the free concert?
faraway on April 7, 2009 at 4:04 PM
SCOOPTHIScarlos on April 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM
My son is stationed in Korea and if The Precedent visited his base, I would expect that he would want to see the CiC and perhaps have a chance to meet him and/or get a picture. I have no doubt he would be respectful, as he was raised that way and the Air Force has only reinforced that trait.
He didn’t vote for Obama, either.
ladyingray on April 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Automaton.
bluelightbrigade on April 7, 2009 at 4:34 PM
LOL faraway.
Damn, I cannot post correctly today.
SCOOPTHIScarlos on April 7, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Since you’re like the little kid waving his arms around screamin’ for attention, I’ll give you some and move on…who’s spinning? We’re tellin’ it like it is. You wouldn’t spend so much time here if you didn’t value our opinions so…
RepubChica on April 7, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Sad thing is, that just a year or two ago, he wanted them to fail.
CP on April 7, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Maybe off camera LT Dan had just walked in…
SPCOlympics on April 7, 2009 at 4:36 PM
The interesting thing is that when Bush was cheered, it did not mean a damn thing to these people. If anything it was proof he and the military were a bunch of Nazis. When he went to Baghdad and served turkey to the troops some time back we had to listen to months of moronic and silly talk about plastic turkeys.
So why does it matter to them now? The point is Obama has not brought these guys home and is not in the process of bringing them home.
Terrye on April 7, 2009 at 4:36 PM
This is a recording. Do not attempt to adjust your set. This is a recording.
petunia on April 7, 2009 at 4:37 PM
capitulus:
You are talking about spinning?? That is funny. It really is. Hypocrite.
Terrye on April 7, 2009 at 4:37 PM
My first reaction, too.
His first visit to troops overseas as POTUS, seemingly an opportunity to talk from the heart to hundreds of military risking their lives, and he pulls out the stick shift teleprompter.
Lesson – he has nothing in his heart to say to the troops.
fred5678 on April 7, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Not gonna happen for a while, neither, as the C in C has spoken, and lots more ‘work” needs to get done…
RepubChica on April 7, 2009 at 4:38 PM
A year ago he declared them a failure! And mocked McCain for doing exactly what he is doing today… But who remembers… he is just so dreamy.
petunia on April 7, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 Next »