If You Can't Get Political Mileage From It, Why Bother?

The Pentagon reveals that Barack's cancellation of plans to visit US troops overseas came after he learned that it couldn't be used for political purposes. Contrary to David Axelrod's earlier version of the story, in fact, Barack wasn't told not to come -- and, indeed, how could the Pentagon in fact refuse entry to a duly elected US senator?

In other words, Barack was welcome to visit the troops in his capacity as a US senator -- just not to bring along campaign staff and press.

Well, if you can't get any political mileage or good visuals from it, why bother?