Cost of PR Stunt: Trip to Iraq + cabinet members in Camp David?

[jackstraw45]

Just wondering about the cost of flying Dimson and his entourage to Iraq while also moving the memebers of the cabinet to Camp David for two days of doing nothing but staring at a screen of Dimson in Iraq....

http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/cabinet.html

Nice to know that the members of the cabinet, national security advisor, Vice President, etc have nothing better to do for TWO DAYS than be used as part of a cover for Dimson's 5 hour trip to Iraq (that probably cost more than the education budget of some states).
_______________

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-060613bush-trip,1,3026462.story?coll=chi-newsbreaking-hed

The entire mission was a stealth operation. In fact, the White House released a schedule today that included Bush making an appearance in the Rose Garden this afternoon following a two-day meeting at Camp David, where the president had retreated with Cabinet members and national security advisers.

On Monday, they consulted with U.S. military leaders in Iraq via teleconference, and today they were to conduct a similar meeting via teleconference with Iraqi leaders.

Instead, Bush left for Baghdad Monday night, after secretly traveling by helicopter from Camp David to Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington.

"The POTUS is on board,'' Bush yelled to reporters as he climbed the steps of his airplane wearing a navy blue baseball cap, dark pants and a blue buttoned down shirt.

(cut)

Other than Vice President Dick Cheney, the only Cabinet members notified of the trip in advance were Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, both of whom remained at Camp David. Others, including Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, weren't told that Bush had left Camp David until this morning.

"They all expected him to show up at breakfast with the ambassador of Iraq," Bartlett said.

[havocmom]

1. Where's Dick?

DUCK!

[jackstraw45]

4. Dick's also at Camp David

Hmmm...Bush in Iraq for a photo-op, Cabinet off to camp david staring at the walls...

[havocmom]

6. Not buying 'staring at walls'.

And when was that big emergency response exercise back east scheduled for?

Ah, damn, now I gotta go put the TV news on....

[jackstraw45]

9. What else are they doing?

Convening a war cabinet without the President?

Hmm...actually....

[havocmom]

14. Run along and play like you're in charge, georgie...

we have important things to do.

[Waya]

2. "Secure Location", most likely.....

.....

[flordehinojos]

3. are they afraid? is that why they are at camp david?

...boooooooossssshhhhhhhhhit boy must be pouring oooooodles of sweat in iraq. he is the first coward
you know.

[ComerPerro]

5. Yeah, I didn't think about that, but it is a load of crap

[havocmom]

7. Press with bush wearing armor too

Think maybe the war between Rove & Cheney is getting nasty?

[otohara]

8. But, Dumbya Had To "Look Him In The Eye"

what another dumb thing to say

[JHB]

10. "The POTUS is on board,'' Bush yelled...

Oh, good. You wouldn't want anyone mistaking him for the hired help as he goes on his Top Secret Photo Op Mission, would you?

[Binka]

11. Piece Of Terribly Useless Shit = POTUS n/t

[unhappycamper]

13. Excellent - I added that to the DU

glossary. :thumbsup:

[tanyev]

12. Oh, good grief. Does he make Laura and the twins call him that, too?

[JHB]

18. He used to...

...but they kept snorting with barely-restrained laughter, so he started snorting to join in, but Uncle Dick took his spoon away...

[havocmom]

15. Ever the BOGUS POTUS

[jackstraw45]

16. What website is Dick surfing? Evilspace.com?

[Swede]

17. The cost of a nations blood and treasure?

Priceless.

[underpants]

19. Looks like it cost Bartlett his cookies and his drawers