Kurtz found "irony" in Obama's Baghdad visit because "Obama ran against the Iraq war"
SUMMARY: Howard Kurtz found "irony" in President Obama's visit with troops in Baghdad in light of Obama's opposition to the invasion of Iraq. The Washington Post's media critic gave no explanation for his apparent view that opposition to the war is somehow incongruous with support for -- and enthusiasm from -- the troops.
In his April 8 Washington Post "Media Notes" column, media critic Howard Kurtz wrote that President Obama, during his unannounced April 7 visit to Baghdad, took photographs with "whooping and hollering American soldiers," adding: "The irony, of course, is that Obama ran against the Iraq war." Kurtz, however, offered no explanation as to why Obama's visit with troops in Iraq or their enthusiastic greeting is in any way incongruous with his opposition to the invasion of Iraq. As Media Matters for America has documented, several media figures and outlets have suggested that opposition to the Iraq war and support for U.S. troops are mutually exclusive.
Media Matters also noted CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric finding "irony" in the deaths of two soldiers in Iraq who had co-authored an op-ed opposing the war.
From Kurtz's Arpil 8 column:
But the "surprise" visit soon became a cliche, as the likes of Don Rumsfeld, Condi Rice and Dick Cheney would periodically show up in Iraq and the novelty wore off. The trips were unannounced for legitimate security reasons, but they lost their impact, especially as the public turned fervently against the seemingly endless war.
But who was expecting President Obama to show up in Baghdad yesterday? The White House showed it can keep a secret and seized an opportunity to showcase Obama as a hands-on commander-in-chief. Pictures of a president with whooping and hollering American soldiers, in a war zone, have always been a plus.
The irony, of course, is that Obama ran against the Iraq war. Indeed, his primary candidacy against Hillary Clinton was built on his 2002 speech opposing the invasion, and as president he has done what he promised to a set a timetable for withdrawal.
But many things could go wrong -- and in Afghanistan as well -- so it can't hurt a new president to be seen conducting an on-site inspection of the divisive war he inherited.
Howie once thought irony was the pet name his wife called her iron.
I think someone should probably look up the meaning of Irony before they use it in a sentence.
Hypocrisy then? Obama praised the troops for giving Iraqis the chance to begin and hold a democratic republic, etc....I can't remember Obama mentioning that during the campaign or during his 9 hours in the Senate.
He can't praise the troops for doing a job they were ordered to do? Why is it that conservatives can't separate being against the war but supporting the troops?
I think Obama's 9 hours in the Senate is better for foreign policy then Bush's...0 minutes in at least dealing with foreign policy before becoming president.
Well the concept you mentioned while so true is not linear and it is probably too difficult for folks to understand, at least those who just want to complain about Obama. In fact, inheriting the war demands that any COC would involve himself in the process and make visits to the troups. I do wish Republicans could have had more heart-felt concern for the lives of our Military who went to Iraq on this needless jaunt forced on them by Bush,Jr. I never could figure out if it was a stunt of Junior's to try to outdo his daddy or if he is just actually that grossly incompetant. Hmmm, whichever, he certainly mucked our country all the way. Most thinking Republicans drop the subject it is so sensitive for them.
what a stupid comment, irony? there is no irony, OBama is their Commander in Chief, the campaign is over.
Do we really have to explain the definition of irony to you?
if you read before you post a reply you wouldn't look so foolish.
If I look foolish to you, then I must be doing a-ok, jimmy my boy.
Fog,
James said there was no "irony", another words he wasn't agreeing with Kurtz. You did jump the gun by not really reading what he wrote, simply because you don't like James. Admitting your mistake along with an apology would have been a lot classier than calling him "Jimmy my boy"
You asked for it, you got it. I was wrong. James was right.
We should find a way to frame that "James was right," because you can be sure you'll never see the need to type that ever again.
Do you blare Tenacious D's "I'm an axxhole" in the morning to get ready for the day?
Are you really aligning yourself with JamesB? Bad idea.
Thanks for demonstrating that Kurtz isn't the only bloviating retard out there.
Do you know anyone who thought that your "retort" was either witty or relevant?
At least he says in the last sentence that Obama inherited the Iraq War. I'm surprised the right wing media hasn't been criticizing this surprise visit though. I guess it's still early. If he hadn't gone I'm sure we'd have heard about that. 'Oh sure. He goes to Europe and tries to kiss up to them but he won't go and visit our troops.'
I don't get Kurtz point. What does being the Commander in Chief have to do with his campaign. He loves our troops and is the Commander in Chief. Case closed Kurtz. Stop the partisan crap!!
Very true Casey!!!!
How stupid are these people? He is commander in cheif and wheterh he is for or against the Iraq War, he is not in charge and has to eal with it. there is no damn irony. the man is doing his job.
It's also ironic that Obama is trying to repeal the massive federal welfare to the rich when he ran against massive federal welfare to the rich.
Wasn't it more ironic that George W Bush dressed up as a flyboy warrior when he was a cowardly draftdoger? Or is that TOO ironic for the "liberal media" to acknowledge?
What's ironic is that Obama opposed the war, but was infavor of supporting the troops that were mistakenly sent overseas by trying to get them the best equipment and body armor this country could buy, instead of coming out against it as the GOP Congress did. They wanted the money to go directly to Halliburton and their rich buddies without having the encumberance of being "wastefully spent" on things like supplies necessary for the lives of the troops.
hmm a neo con not differntiating between supporting a war and support for troops fighting a war............such a odd abstract
"Howard Kurtz found "irony" in President Obama's visit with troops in Baghdad in light of Obama's opposition to the invasion of Iraq."
What a coincidence . . . I find STUPIDITY in Kurtz's implication that a commander in chief isn't allowed to visit his troops in a war zone, in light of any previous opposition to that same war . . .
I don't know why it's so hard to comprehend. Obama's beef was never with the soldiers on the ground; it was with the Bush administration.
To people like Kurtz, the Bush Administration, the flag, and the troops always were and always will be one and the same. An insult directed at GW Bush hit the troops squarely on the back, and Weakened America in the process. Never mind that such thinking is totally Undemocratic and Illogical. That never bothered guys like Kurtz.
William Shatner in Airplane: The Sequel: "I guess irony can be pretty ironic sometimes..."
I guess that to Kurtz, the "irony" is in the "fact" that Obama hates the troops, hates the flag, hates everything about America, and loves terrorists, yet went to visit the troops and got a warm reception. Gee, what irony- a President who loathes his own country and hates everyone in a uniform, but went into a war zone anyway.
I think that's what Kurtz meant. Which makes Kurtz a bloviating retard.
Like you, I don't see the irony. That he should care about the soldiers themselves is taken for granted because he has consistently done that. That the soldiers would be overjoyed by someone who is trying to get them out of there is only logical. Kurtz hasn't ever been really tightly screwed together, and this is but one more in a long list of non sequitors that he's been dropping.