In article SHeAb.23487$ZE1.11162@fed1read04, "R. Hubbell"
wrote:

Boosted the moral of 600 troops of how many troops in Afghanistan and
Iraq?
Thousands. You're argument is really bringing home the fact that it was
a political stunt. If he was sincere and meant it to be a morale booster
he would have involved many, many more troops.

You are assuming that the other troops wouldn't
see any value to his visit. While some were probably
whining that they weren't visited or had extra duty because
of the visit, I'm convinced that most of the troops were pleased
(including the troops serving in other locations around the world).

But be honest it's way
too dangerous over there for him to do that. In fact once the wheels of
AF1 left Iraq those troops were reminded of just how dangerous a place
it is there.

A significant number of the military people I work with have
been deployed over there or are going to be deployed. Trust me,
they know it's a dangerous place - a POTUS visit wouldn't change that.
They don't need to be "reminded."

--
Bob Noel