Have You Been to Iraq?

[afchic]

Interesting analysis on what members of of the Senate have taken trips to Iraq. Even more interesting on who hasn't, notably Jim Webb and Edward Kennedy.

The Hill
August 1, 2007
Pg. 1

'Have You Been To Iraq?' — 76 Senators Say They Have

By Patrick Fitzgerald

At least 76 senators have visited Iraq in the four years of combat, including 38 who have made the trip in the last 12 months, according to a survey by The Hill. But at least 18 senators have not traveled there at all.

As debate over the war reaches a tipping point in Washington, visiting Iraq has become a rite of passage for many lawmakers looking to bolster their credibility on national security. Many lawmakers feel that making a trip is important for their credibility when they are asked to weigh in on the war.

As a recent case in point, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) alluded to his Iraq travel when he challenged Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) in a July 15 debate on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Graham, who has gone to Iraq seven times, took Webb to task after the freshman senator said that less than half of the military believes that the U.S. should be in Iraq.

“Have you been to Iraq?” Graham charged. “Have you ever been and talked to them?”

Webb, who has not made a trip to the country, replied by disparaging the congressional delegations as “dog and pony shows” that do not confront the reality on the ground.

Webb’s views may well be the exception, as many senators still make the visit. Topping the list is Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who has visited Iraq 10 times. That includes three trips in the past year and makes him one of nine senators who have made at least a half-dozen trips to the country since the war started.

On the other side of the aisle, neither George Voinovich (Ohio) nor Pete Domenici (N.M.) — two Senate Republicans who recently made headlines by breaking with the Bush administration and calling for a new direction in Iraq — has visited the country. But similarly critical Republicans John Warner (Va.), Olympia Snowe (Maine) and Gordon Smith (Ore.) have all made the trip more than once.

James Thurber, professor of political science and director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University, said that Iraq visits give lawmakers more credibility on the war.

“The more trips you go give you more authority,” Thurber said.

But seeing the situation and speaking with the troops on the ground can reinforce pre-existing notions about the war, Thurber said. He added that “some senators have already made up their minds about what’s going on” before making a trip.

Indeed, many of the more outspoken lawmakers on both sides of the Iraq debate are among the most traveled, and few have changed their minds after returning. Besides Reed, war critics such as Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Joseph Biden (D-Del.), Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) have all made multiple trips. Levin tops that group with eight visits.

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), an ardent defender of the war effort, has gone to Iraq eight times, while Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) have each made six trips.

Senators of both parties have made visiting Iraq a priority. Of the 11 senators who have made more than four trips, seven are Republicans, three are Democrats and one, Lieberman, is an Independent who caucuses with Democrats.

The common thread linking senators with the highest trip totals appears to be membership on either the Senate Armed Services Committee or the Foreign Relations Committee. The dozen lawmakers who have made more than three trips are all on one of these two prominent panels.

At least 38 senators have visited Iraq in the past 12 months, led by Reed, Graham and McCain, who have each visited the country three times in that span.

Among the 2008 presidential candidates, the numerous trips by Biden (seven) and McCain (six) lead the field, largely due to their leadership positions on relevant committees. Biden is chairman of Foreign Relations, while McCain is ranking member on Armed Services.

Among the other contenders, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) each boast three trips to Iraq. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) has made the trip twice, while Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has visited Iraq once.

Who has gone, and how often

10 visits -- Jack Reed (D-R.I.)

9 visits -- John Warner (R-Va.)

8 visits -- James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.)

7 visits -- Joseph Biden (D-Del.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)

6 visits -- Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.)

5 visits -- Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.)

4 visits -- John Kerry (D-Mass.)

3 visits -- Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), John Thune (R-S.D.)

2 visits -- Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Kit Bond (R-Mo.), Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), John Ensign (R-Nev.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), John Sununu (R-N.H)

1 visit -- Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)

Never visited -- John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Jim Webb (D-Va.)

Didn’t return calls/would not comment -- Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)

Didn’t return calls, but has gone to Iraq -- Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), David Vitter (R-La.)

Some offices did not return phone calls. The Hill reviewed media articles to check whether those senators had gone to Iraq. Brittney Moraski, Jenny Gross, Lisa Chapman and Ilan Wurman contributed to this article.

[Monsoon65]

Some congressmen go to Iraq because they do want to see how men and women from their homestates are doing. These usually visit their state Guard and Reserve units (even tho I didn't see any PA congressmen when I was there).

But I also think a lot of times, these guys go to Iraq so they can just brag it up with their buddies, that they've been to war and living life "on the edge". Probably want a combat patch to go with it, too.

I don't see how going there and getting a briefing that they could get in DC makes much of a difference. Save the US a bucket of cash keeping them here.

Just my pfenning's worth.

And tell Kelly to get to work.

[afchic]

Originally Posted by Monsoon65

And tell Kelly to get to work.

Wilco!!!

I know how you feel about all the senators and representatives going over there. It is a huge burden on the people that must make it happen. When the war first started, I ran the requirements cell over in the CAOC, and my team was responsible for planning all the C-130/C-17 missions for both OEF and OIF. My main mission in life was to keep the troops in the field supplied with simple things such as food, water, ammo, parts. You know the really unsexy stuff, but the important stuff none the less. When Baghdad opened up I had to take several of my very limited C-130 fleet and use it to support NOTHING but DV missions. I used to call it the DV express. It drove me absolutely bonkers that I had to pull off needed equioment and supplies so that some O-6 could get his ticket punched saying he had been there.

But with that being said, I honestly think that the Senators/Representatives that have been on the ground have a much better feel for what is actually happening over there than those that have not. As the article mentions, some go over with pre-concieved notions, and have those notions strengthened by their vist, regardless of whether or not things are different. Let's be honest if you believe something is bad, chances are those beliefs are going to be reinforced by the visit. The same can be said for those that believe the war effort is going well. But if you have never seen it first hand, and leave it up to second hand information, you don't have credibility.

I keep hoping, that eventually, with enough vistis, Congress may see that things truly are better than what is being reported in the news. I know that is naive, and wishful thinking on my part, but I still have hope that maybe a couple of key individuals minds will be changed for the better.

Just my opinon.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by afchic

.... But if you have never seen it first hand, and leave it up to second hand information, you don't have credibility.....

I liked just about all of your post- it's just that


I slept in a Motel 6 one night - so I can be critical of management now?

A person sees what they want to see. A person who studies facts and gathers information can make an informed opinion of a situation.

[afchic]

Originally Posted by Pete

I slept in a Motel 6 one night - so I can be critical of management now?

A person sees what they want to see. A person who studies facts and gathers information can make an informed opinion of a situation.

I think you can be critical of management. Was your stay good or bad? Regardless of either you could say that, in part, management had a hand in how you felt about your stay.

How would you crtique a book if you had never read it, but instead relied on the information provided to you by other people. You could research the author all you liked, read any number of their other books. But do you have credibility critiquing something you have never read?

I agree studying facts is important, but I think that is only part of the equation, seeing something with your own eyes could change what you think about something.

[Pete]

10 visits -- Jack Reed (D - R.I.)

Well, that settles things - he's been there 10 times so he has seen more and is the crowned expert from the Senate on Iraq issues.

[Guy]

afchic;

Have you ever followed one of them around during a visit?

Stay safe.

[Defender968]

Originally Posted by afchic

Wilco!!!


Senators/Representatives that have been on the ground have a much better feel for what is actually happening over there than those that have not. As the article mentions, some go over with pre-concieved notions, and have those notions strengthened by their vist, regardless of whether or not things are different. Let's be honest if you believe something is bad, chances are those beliefs are going to be reinforced by the visit. The same can be said for those that believe the war effort is going well. But if you have never seen it first hand, and leave it up to second hand information, you don't have credibility.

Just my opinon.

I agree with you about those who go over with pre-conceived notions, the problem is that 99% of politicians have pre-conceived notions, the other problem is when they do go over they are spend a total of 3 days in country but then claim to be experts because they were on the ground. Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Pelosi did exactly that while I was in the AOR, they spent a total of 72 hours in the AOR but were experts on the ground truth after the trip. I don't really think spending 72 hours anywhere gives anyone credibility, it just makes for good press and wastes tax payer dollars, and detracts from the mission, just as you saw. Just my .02

[Monsoon65]

Originally Posted by afchic

It drove me absolutely bonkers that I had to pull off needed equioment and supplies so that some O-6 could get his ticket punched saying he had been there.....

Don't get me started on THAT subject!

I think all that they can get a feel for is how the troops are doing. Getting enough to eat? Get any phonecalls back home? MWR stuff and that's about it.

72 hours on the ground, like Hitlerly and Pelosi, does nothing. At the 72 hour point, I'm just getting over the jetlag and all the briefings we get nailed with.

[Pete]

afchic;

It might appear that we are trying to have some fun at your expense. That is not the case. Each person who has served or even visited Iraq will be able to bring a first hand account of something to any conversation. A person who has served for a long time will know the day to day struggle of existence there.

With that said, each person's viewpoint will be formed by their service in country. All viewpoints are not the same. They can range from a Fobbit who never sets foot outside, a driver dodging IEDs every day on a supply run, the soldiers on foot patrols into the towns and streets, troops working every day with the local forces and high level officers interfacing with the government officials. All share a life changing event and can sit one on one with each other and share their experiences.

This thread was started about politicians who make a hop-n-pop into the country and then pin the trip on their vest like a medal. The more trips you've made the more weight your opinion carries.

Pete

The joke from the old days was "Take me down to 3,000' I want to be with the troops" and then make the upside down bino's sign while looking around. Some of the older crowd will remember that one.

[504PIR]

Some of you may find some humor in this.

In late 05 or early 06, Sen John Kerry paid a visit to Iraq. He felt that he needed to be briefed by my client. His PSD team brought the Senator from Mass. to our base and funny thing happened when he departed. On the back of his limo was a Bush/Cheny bumpersticker, which was then driven around the Green Zone in Baghdad with him inside. How it got there......who knows LOL!

"Never underestimate the power of the sneaky."

[thebaffler]

Anyone else suspect that a congressman's impression of the war going into Iraq is going to be the same as when he leaves? I can't recall any politicians sitting around the table on Sunday morning on CBS remarking, "You know, I wasn't convinced this thing was working out on Friday when I arrived, but by Monday afternoon I was sold!" Let's call this for what it is, a means of credibility enhancement and a chance to speak with a few home-staters, not a true comprehensive analysis of military efficacy and the prevailing sociological climate.

The way some of them talk, it's like they get handed an M-4 at BIAP baggage claim and live off the land for a month, occasionally lunching with key local sheiks and personally inspecting infastructure and utilities projects. More like - here's the DFAC, Senator!