Townhall.com, Where Your Opinion Counts
Talk Radio:   Bill Bennett   Mike Gallagher   Dennis Prager   Michael Medved   Hugh Hewitt   
BREAKING NEWS  LeftArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican   RightArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican  
Columns, funnies & more in your inbox!
  • Check the boxes and send us your email address to receveive your free newsletter
  • Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
  • Townhall.com’s weekly inside scoop on what’s happening behind the scenes in the world of politics. When news breaks, we report.
  • Signup to receive the latest daily Townhall cartoons

Townhall.com The Blogspot for Political, Conservative and Republican Blogs and Bloggers


Friday, July 25, 2008
Obama Aides "Feel Resentful" Towards Pentagon ...
Posted by: Matt Lewis at 3:23 PM


ABC News reports:

"Sen. Barack Obama's campaign staff and the Pentagon are putting forth different versions of what happened before Obama cancelled a planned Friday morning visit to the Ramstein air base in Germany.

The Obama campaign has suggested the Pentagon interfered with its decision to visit U.S. troops at the Ramstein and Landstuhl U.S. military bases in Germany -- something the Pentagon denied Friday."
The Pentagon has fired back at Obama's accusations, saying:
"We made it clear to him that campaign staff and press would not be permitted to accompany him," Morrell said of Obama.  "We relayed those ground rules. They made a choice based upon the information we relayed to them.  It was their choice. We had nothing to do with it."
Now, apparently, Obama's team is upset with the Pentagon for setting the record straight ...

MSNBC 1:02 PM ET

ANDREA MITCHELL: “Spin from both sides: the Pentagon would have told you that these are rules that everyone follows. That he was welcomed, he could have gone if he had gone with just a senate aide, but that no campaign aides could go with him. Privately, some people are suggesting that one of the issues was a general – Scott Gration -- who travels with him who's a campaign aide and retired air force general and that the general was told that he could not use his privilege as a retired member of the military to accompany Senator Obama because he is now joined the political campaign. … So that may have been one of the stumbling blocks. … The Obama people certainly feel resentful. They had a planned event. They were planning to leave the press corps on the tarmac and go in themselves, and that they feel the pentagon made it difficult and reminded them of the rules, about which they didn't need to be reminded having just come from a similar visit in Iraq.  But whatever the result, they feel that they have been treated badly by the Pentagon, and that is certainly creating some bad blood.”



View in ascending order View in descending order
Mick writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 3:47 PM
We don't need no stinkin' rules
Oh, So Obama is SPECIAL?

Maybe these clowns need to get a life and leave everyone else alone.

If he had visited and I was in the hospital I would have made it crystal clear I didn't appreciate his disrespect for America AND the Troops!
Gorgegirl2 writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 3:59 PM
Go it Alone?
Was there any reason the Senator couldn't have just left aides and gone into the military hospitals without any cameras or aides? Since we - the taxpayers- have been paying for Secret Service protection for him for a year and a half (despite the fact he has had no threats on his life but does serve as a 'status symbol') he would have had to have the Secret Service with him. I just think the guy wanted to cross the event off his list and go on to his "presidential" news conference in France.
miss vicky writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 4:02 PM
"O" Troop smokescreen has holes in it!
Don't believe the cover up by Obama Camp, for neglecting the troops. If he was truly the Leader he exalts himself to be, they would have worked it out. Before I believe their weak ex-cuse I need to see it in writing etc,. Please don't insult our intelligence with your pre-tentious defense! Sorry, I wish I could trust the crafty Obama, but he has misled us one time too many! Disillusioned ex Democrat
dawndawn writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 4:13 PM
Oh Boo Hoo
Why didn`t O just man up and go in and visit the troops as a Senator? -- Visiting the wounded soldiers should have been his No.1 priority while on his Grand Tour and Triumph through Germany -- They were all waiting for him and most assuredly were surprised and disappointed when he cancelled -- Now his campaign is spinning and flailing and blaming it all on the Pentagon -- The question still remains: Why did he not go to visit the wounded soldiers? --
Liberty 76 writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 4:14 PM
Winers and Wussies
What more is there to say....Phil Gramm was right and Obama's campaign exemplifies it.
Brendan J. writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 4:19 PM
Oh the Humanity!
OMG! The fiends! They made the Obama campaign follow the rules and prevented them from "Not" exploiting wounded American soliders for political gain! How unfair of them! Oh the Humanity!

...Are they still claiming this farce is not campaigning overseas? inquiring minds and all that...
Joe writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 4:21 PM
Why let Germans pick our furher?
They have a bad track record.
Helen writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 4:52 PM
Wrong, Kimberly.
The rule is the same on ALL military bases. The Pentagon was not making an exception for Obama - it in an established Department of Defense Rule. Even Andrea Mitchell said, "They had a planned EVENT." This wasn't a compassionate trip to comfort our troops, this was a campaign EVENT designed to give Obama max publicity. If he had real compassion for our troops, he would have gone ahead and made the visit whether his entourage (and the press) was with him or not. Instead, he chose to go work out. Obviously, only what benefits himself is on Obama's mind.
Keith writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 4:53 PM
Kimberly
For the love of Pete, FOCUS. The military did not block Obama's visit. Obama CANCELLED the trip! And it was Andrea who found out why.
paddy o'furniture writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 5:00 PM
I wonder if.....
....some of those boys in that hospital might have wished they could shoot some hoops too.....
Fat Man writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 5:01 PM
Bad Blood

I'm not very comfortable with the idea that the potential future Commander In Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces has a "bad blood" relationship with the Pentagon.

Rip's Flagon writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 5:08 PM
Character and values
If Sen. Obama valued visiting the troops, he would have made it happen. It's that simple. Think about something that is important to you, like your kids or wife. If you had to follow some rules in order to visit them you would do it without a question. Sen. Obama, you are on the verge of being Commander in Chief, please act like it.
Joe writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 5:35 PM
Virginia "Truther" Patriot
Virginia Patriot writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 4:30 PM: "Joe Isuzu Lies Again (Surprise!, NOT!)
O.K., Joe, check out Chuck Baldwin."

At least Bob Barr is not a nut job (voting for him will just result in Barack Obama getting elected). But you are supporting Chuck Baldwin? Chuck Baldwin thinks there is evidence to support Georege Bush rigged the September 11 attacks. http://reason.tv/roughcut/show/436.html Chuck Baldwin endorsed Ron Paul before he decided to run himself. Is that your candidate for President now? Well at least you are not supporting Alan Keyes.

If you go in your kitchen you can probably find some aluminum foil. Now might be a good time to fashion a covering for your head.
Ex Pat(-rick) in Geneva writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 5:43 PM
Laughing out loud...
...a major respect issue out of a scheduling conflict? A visit that the Right would have called a "photo op??



Virginia Patriot writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 5:50 PM
Joe Isuzu Lies Again (Surprise!, NOT!)
Calm down Joe, you're really starting to lose it.
Ex-tex writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 5:59 PM
How old is Obama anyway? 6??
"They MADE me NOT do it!" "Then I decided to NOT do it, but they wouldn't STOP me!" "SO, I knew they WOULD NOT make me, because I decided NOT TOO!"

What IS he really saying? Oh yeah- "I didn't want to go visit the wounded soldiers because suckin' up to 200,000 anti-Bush foreigners and then goin' to the gym and doin' a little shoppin' sounds like WAY more fun."

Joe writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 6:02 PM
Virginia Patriot is a one issue guy
You were for Barr till you realized he was for amnesty. Then you switched to Truther Chuck Baldwin.
Ana Mus writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 6:16 PM
There is nothing last minute about
Obama's campaign. There is no way he nor his campaign staff did not know about the rules regarding visiting the troops. He had just come from visiting troops and claims he visited troops at Walter Reed. Did Obama think the rules changed from the time he made those visits.

Obama also had Hagel and Reed with him. Have Hagel and Reed never visited the troops in Germany?

Obama REFUSED to go see the troops because it could not be used as a photo op for his campaign. He was NOT denied admittance. The general who wanted to go with him was denied admittance because he was part of Obama's CAMPAIGN staff.

Obama can whine and spin it anyway he wants, but he and his campaign staff are liars, pure and simple.

Just what kind of potential commander in chief wouldn't know the rules before venturing out? Especially rules concerning our troops?

Trampling out the vintage writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 9:53 PM
Use your ears KIMBERS.
The Pentagon did not block him, only reminded him of the rules. BO's response was to take his ball and go home because the Pentagon refused to pay homage to the Messiah and give him special treatment. What a big boy! Friggin' loser.
Americans are waking up!!! BO stinks to high heaven!
Brianbnc writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 10:59 PM
Obama is a fraud
A real American would have made it happen. Period. Obama is a )*ssy. A pretender. A nobody. A cartoon figure invented by the far left Marxist with no heart or soul.

Joe - you are getting loony. Easy on the coffee, bud.
SAM writes: Friday, July, 25, 2008 11:04 PM
Check It Out-Obama Fumbled
Here's an even-handed post at Hot Air.

Face it, Obama's people just muffed this one. Obama's people knew well before all the rules. It appears that their big problem is that they had a retired military whom they wanted to accompany Obama (he's only 46 years old), but that fell through because he falls in the category of a campaign person, who, under the military regs, couldn't accompany Obama. As a result, the Obama campaign pulled the plug without considering the fallout.

Smooth.

Sorry, Obama loses that one. The more the hard left complains, the bigger the story gets. Pipe down and go to your rooms and watch DVD replays of Obama's (yawn) speech in Germany. This ship has sailed, and Obama is left at the dock.

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/07/25/phoning-it-in-obama-c alls-wounded-trips-at-landstuhl-after-skipping-visit/

Now, how's John Edwards looking for a cabinet position?
SAM writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 12:17 AM
More: Blame the General and Obama
From Patterico:

http://patterico.com/2008/07/25/obamas-non-stop-at-the-mili tary-hospitals-in-germany-looks-like-the-result-of-a-tantru m-by-retired-2-star-general/

From Weekly Standard:

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Weblogs/TWSFP/TWSFPView.asp#7 839

Why does Obama have such goofy military advisers? Looks as if a retired general threw a hissy when he could accompany BO to the hospital. Once he was scrapped, who decided that the visit should be scraped altogether?

Obama's campaign should have been smarter in the first instance. Failing that, they should have just admitted their mistake rather than lying about it. They now deserve the grief they are getting.

Lot of lies this week.
Joe, Don't Hate Me 'Cause I'm Right writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 12:34 AM
Mexicans scare me!
I might get salmonella from a pepper, or from Kimbicile. I can't keep it straight anymore.

Go Obama! Stop McCain.
Vince P writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 3:58 AM
Andrea Mitchel
Who or what is Andrea Mitchell morphing into? Her appearance changes daily.
SAM writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 6:49 AM
Vince P
That's what happens to women "journalists" who become Obama groupies.

I think she's turned into a complete joke. It's as if she seems to know better, but she's so completely in the tank for him she can't help herself.

She hit a low on Morning Joe over this troop issue when she started slinging disjointed mud at the Pentagon when she clearly didn't hadn't investigated the story. She's nothing but a useful idiot anymore.

Funny, I've read elsewhere that Obama likely punted the visit because he couldn't take the one or two military advisers who could keep him out of trouble because he knows so little about the military. He'd have looked like a fool without them.

Obama keeps reaching for the JFK theme, but keep in mind that Kennedy, spoiled rich kid though he was, still served in WW II--PT 109. Compare that to Obama's Mickey Mouse community organizing and we're back to Geraldine Ferraro's remark: we wouldn't be talking about this guy if he weren't black. Period.
Ana Mus writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 7:03 AM
Obama travels with 300 foreign policy
advisors and included in those people are former members of Carter's administration as well as Clinton's - yet not ONE of them could give him the protocol for visiting wounded troops?

Hagel and Reed were along with Obama on this trip. Did neither of them go visit with the wounded troops?

The lackeys for Obama can spin it anyway they want, but they all know the TRUTH. The TRUTH being that Obama did not want to visit the troops if he couldn't get a photo op to use in his campaign.
ScarletPimpernel writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 10:56 AM
smells like Bill Clinton...
Is this O's new way of politics? Change? I'd say nothing new under the sun.
Cuban Pete writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 12:17 PM
B. Hussein "Osama" Obama's mantra...
...continues unabated, "God Dam* America" as in "God Dam* The Pentagon".

The Messi-uh could have visited out of the goodness and compassion in his own heart, but he could find neither in there.
Joe writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 1:04 PM
Kimbicile and Virginia Patriot
Seriously we have to get you two kids together. You are really perfect for each other.
SAM writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 5:17 PM
Close the Thread
Kimberly:

Sorry, advantage McCain--or disadvantage Obama--on this one. The health club visit along with the smiling pictures with the oogling German journalist are too good for bitter, gun-toting Americans to resist.

Stop blaming McCain. This is ENTIRELY a self-inflicted wound. Obama tripped and fell. Rather than crying about the hole he now has in the knees of his pants, tell him to dust himself off and get over it.

Face it, an overwhelming number members of the armed forces will not vote for Obama. You can only hope that the Democrats do everything they can in Congress to mess with their absentee votes as has been reported recently.

Now, get some more tinfoil, line your cap, and go push pins into your Republican voodoo dolls.
Ana Mus writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 6:47 PM
How does Obama reconcile saying that
troops are needed in Afghanistan and that it would not be in the world's best interest if it falls, but then claims the troops MUST come out of Iraq and doesn't care whether it falls to terrorists or not? The guy is certifiably nuts.

Sue writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 6:55 PM
Leave them behind
Really, could he not have gone a few hours without his press secretaries, Chuck, Katie and Brian?

Excuse me, but aren't these trips planned out? Visiting wounded soldiers should have been a priority. And yes, it should have been done with a higher priority then giving a speech in Germany.
Tazzmax writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 9:07 PM
Oslama is such a phony.

It wasn't politically expediant to visit the wounded vets. without all of his "minion morons" to make a photo-op out of it.


Paybacks is a "mother".
miss vicky writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 10:18 PM
Plain and simple"0"s troop excuse, Bull
How can we have confidence in the Presidential hopeful Obama, when he can't even work out a short visit to injured troops! What kind of leadership is that? I thought he was offering a different, more inspirational, Government, a change and hope for the better?! His neglect seems like business as usual, self-serving, insensitive politics! Obama, forget the political correctness, you're supposed to be your own man, unlike the status quo!
novote4obabam writes: Saturday, July, 26, 2008 11:06 PM
obama is such a liar!
no obama couldn't go to see the wounded vets, god forbid, he couldn't have his campaign a--holes follow him, he needs a flauk of people following him to make him seem inportant!he has to look like the big guy, the king, the messiah, oh, well, he knew the vets really don't like him, he was a coward not to go! COWARD! yea well, the miitary people really don't like him either! SAVE AMERICA and ISREAL, NO VOTE FOR obama!
ruth writes: Monday, July, 28, 2008 1:07 PM
obama and pentagon
Obama has good reason to feel bitter at the pentagon.. ...Bill ayers and Jeremiah Wright educated him ....
Cliff  writes: Tuesday, July, 29, 2008 12:36 AM
Obama's Visit to Berlin
What the media doesn't tell you that the big croud they showed on TV was there for a rock concert not to see Obama. He has been riding the coat tails of the rock concerts just like he did in Organ in march or may and it looks like they are thousands to see him. That is not true for the rock concert in Berlin they gave away free beer and Brats. To my thinking he is a big fake and the meaia goes along with it.
Sign Up to Post Your Comments Sign Up to Post Your Comments
Please take a few seconds to sign up, then you’ll be able to post your comments immediately, use the action center, get podcasts, create your own blog and more! If you are already registered, click here.
Note: Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
Salutation:
First Name:
*
Last Name:
*
Email:
*
Address 1:
*
Address 2:
City:
*
State:
*
Zip:
*
Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
(Bi-Weekly) We highlight the best opportunities from our partners for surveys, action items and more.
 


Your Blog Postings:
Last updated 11 Minutes 38 Seconds Ago
Last updated 16 Minutes 38 Seconds Ago
Last updated 30 Minutes 43 Seconds Ago
Last updated 46 Minutes 34 Seconds Ago
Last updated 1 Hours 3 Minutes 40 Seconds Ago
 

Archives of our Conservative, Republican, Political Blogs

Blog Search



Townhall Conservative, Republican, Political Blogs Townhall Blogs
Townhall Conservative, Republican, Political Columns Columns
Your Townhall Conservative, Republican, Political Blogs Your Blogs
By Month
 December 2009
 November 2009
 October 2009
 September 2009
 August 2009
 July 2009
 June 2009
 May 2009
 April 2009
 March 2009
 February 2009
 January 2009
 December 2008
 November 2008
 October 2008
 September 2008
 August 2008
 July 2008
By Issue
 A Culture of Life
 Budget & Government
 Campaigns & Elections
 Education
 Energy & Environment
 Faith & Family
 Foreign Affairs
 Health Care
 Immigration
 Jobs & Economy
 Judges & Courts
 Media & Culture
 Property Rights
 Safety & Security
 Science & Technology
 Second Amendment
 Social Security
 Tax Relief
Advertisement

Comments Comments

I don't think so
 Re: The Price of Freedom
  By Dave M
Uuummmmmm...Hello, Y'All...!
 Re: “AVATAR” OFFERS STUNNING STYLE, INANE SUBSTANCE
  By NeoConScum
Lilly
 Re: Conservatives Are Happier Than Liberals
  By Token Canadian
**My 7:52pm Comment Below** DITTO !
 Re: Conservatives Are Happier Than Liberals
  By NeoConScum
I have to dissent
 Re: The Price of Freedom
  By douglas
Can you spell Obamanomics
 Re: The Price of Freedom
  By reaganite
Mike
 Re: You Will Subsidize Abortion
  By arch
Matthew Shepard was that poor gay kid
 Re: Conservatives Are Happier Than Liberals
  By will
One of the reasons libs are never happy
 Re: Conservatives Are Happier Than Liberals
  By K.G.
arch
 Re: You Will Subsidize Abortion
  By mike
sceptyczny
 Re: You Will Subsidize Abortion
  By arch
birdman II
 Re: Conservatives Are Happier Than Liberals
  By mike
Libs are Killers!!
 Re: You Will Subsidize Abortion
  By arch
Abortion is Liberal Eucharist!
 Re: You Will Subsidize Abortion
  By arch
One thing
 Re: Federal Aviation Administration Spends $5 Million On Drunken Holiday Bash
  By Tea Party
JeffNeal
 Re: Stupak: White House Is Pressuring Me To Keep Silent On The Abortion Amendment
  By Ste. Denis
Will
 Re: Conservatives Are Happier Than Liberals
  By Gary
careful
 Re: You Will Subsidize Abortion
  By mike
Oh brother.
 Re: Conservatives Are Happier Than Liberals
  By will
DanNV
 Re: Stupak: White House Is Pressuring Me To Keep Silent On The Abortion Amendment
  By Ste. Denis

The Latest on Town HallThe Latest on Town Hall


Blog Roll Blog Roll