Perry travels to Iraq

[douglas9]

AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Rick Perry is in Iraq on a trip hosted by the U.S. Defense Department.

The governor's office announced Tuesday that he'd arrived in Iraq. He traveled there Monday with two other governors after a Pentagon briefing. Perry also visited soldiers in Iraq in 2006 on a trip with other governors.

For security reasons, both trips were kept under wraps until the governor arrived in Iraq.

Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle says the trip is an opportunity for Perry to visit Texas troops and to thank them for their service.

eom

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6196402.html

[sonias]

1. And who is picking up the tab?

What exactly do the troops gain from having Perry travel there to thank them in person? This is just Perry starting his run for Governor in 2010. Pictures of him in Iraq with the troops will be all over his web site soon.


Sonia

[sonias]

2. DoD is paying for the trip

Postcards from the Lege blog 1/6/09
Perry visiting Iraq (updated)
(snip)
Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle said the Department of Defense (read: federal tax dollars) is paying for the trip.

What a waste of taxpayer money. Perry should be touring Ike ravaged areas of the Galveston area and tending to the problems in his own back yard.


Sonia

[Melissa G]

3. Yep, Taxpayers paying for campaign photo ops for Gov Goodhair

:puke:

[Dover]

4. Who believes this trip is about thanking the troops?

I cannot believe that his trips (whether to Europe or Iraq) are not 'reportable' as regards his
business there. And no doubt BUSINESS is what is on the agenda.

[Career Prole]

5. Poseur. First word that came to mind.

And I believe I'll leave it there in this case.

[hobbit709]

6. Too bad it's not a one-way ticket.