Obama draws crowds at US Embassy in Baghdad

Current World News Comments (0)

Covering the visit of Barack Obama to Iraq was never going to be easy.
Media access was so carefully controlled that a TV crew was apparently told not to film a stand-up shot in front of a couple of Humvees outside the US Embassy in Baghdad because it might convey military endorsement of the Illinois senator. 
The press was also kept away from a meet-and-greet event “for civilian and military constituents” starring Mr Obama at the Embassy last night.
He, I subsequently learnt, bounded onto a stage to cheers from the assembled crowd in a central hall that also contains a Starbucks-style coffee bar.
Several hundred people, including State Department employees, military personnel and civilian contractors jostled one another in the standing room only gathering for a view of the Democratic presidential candidate.
Mr Obama was accompanied on stage by senators Chuck Hagel and Jack Reed, but it was evident that this was a one-man show. Mr Hagel even quipped at one point: “Jack and I were surprised so many of you came out to see the two of us.”
All three men made brief remarks, each expressing their appreciation for the efforts of the military and diplomatic communities in Iraq. Mr Obama thanked “sailors, soldiers, active duty, National Guard, State Department, USAID [and] civilian contractors”.
Loud cheering erupted when Mr Obama raised the possibility of his becoming the next “commander-in-chief,” before adding how proud he is of the troops.
Afterwards, the White House hopeful worked the room, shaking hands and smiling for photographs. [For pictures of this event do a search for "Barack Obama in Baghdad" on www.flickr.com].
Earlier in the day there was a brief opportunity for reporters also to glimpse Mr Obama when he met Iraq’s Prime Minister at his residence in the Green Zone.  With expectations minimal, I and a couple of colleagues decided to give it a shot.

Read more

admin @ July 22, 2008