"Pool Report of Obama Heading to Camp Victory in Iraq"

[Clio the Leo]

Pool Report of Obama Heading to Camp Victory in Iraq

April 7 -- Camp Victory
Pool report #5
Pool spray with Jones, Odierno

Pardon the rush, we need to go back for the troops event.

About 600 troops in the Al Faw Palace here awaiting president. He is meeting now (5:30) with Jones, Gen. Odierno and others, including Rahm, in a room of the palace. He will meet with Maliki in person (coming here); Talibani will be by phone.
Obama said during photo spray that he's here "to say thanks to the troops. They are doing extraordinary work." Says he will be fully briefed by Jones, Odierno and others.

There will be a transcript but here are some rush quotes and color:
"Obviously we spend a lot of time trying to get Afghanistan right..."

But still a lot of work to be done here.

"We've made significant political progress."

"With the national elections coming up many of the unresolved issues may be brought to a head."

Troops: "They're just putting their heart and soul into this."

Odierno mentioned how touching naturalizations are here; think he said they recently had 460 at once. Please check transcript for all this.

Obama says of the troops' stories "They keep you going. They'll motivate you."

They had wanted 1,500 or so troops here from C Victory and nearby Camp Liberty but this happened sooner than expected by a couple of hours. So only about 600 here, according to Maj. Kathleen Turner, public affairs officer for multi-national forces.
Obama sat in big black leather chair, with two on each side in their own chairs. Jones. Odierno. Rahm. Patricia Butenis, the local charge (as in charge-ez).

The ride to the camp was the usual dusty, ugly, cloud-covered ride. It is totally overcast here. At the airport before jumping into his black Suburban, Obama (and Odierno) were looking/pointing up at the sky. Odierno had greeted him at airport.

On way into the camp, there were about 300 troops standing about 5 or 6 deep, saluting at attention.
"It was wonderful seeing those troops out there," Obama said.

http://thepage.time.com/pool-report-of-obama-at-camp-victory-in-iraq/