Obama's cancellation of a military hospital visit leaves unanswered questions

The varying explanations for the cancellation of Barack Obama’s planned visit today to the U.S. military’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany are leaving campaign-watchers puzzled.

Obama had been scheduled to greet U.S. troops at the hospital just before leaving Germany this afternoon for Paris, where he met French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace.

But first, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs released a statement Thursday night saying the senator had decided "out of respect for these servicemen and women that it would be inappropriate to make a stop to visit troops at a U.S. military facility as part of a trip funded by the campaign."

The campaign amended that explanation this morning. Obama wanted to thank the troops for their service, but "we learned from the Pentagon last night that the visit would be viewed instead as....

...a campaign event.," Obama advisor Scott Gration, a retired Air Force major general, said in a statement.

On Obama’s flight from Berlin to Paris, Gibbs offered more details. Around July 15, the Pentagon approved Obama’s visit. But military officials later invoked a rule on political activity at military bases and questioned whether it would cover Obama’s visit, Gibbs said.

Obama spokesmen said they were seeking clarification on what the rule is. Gibbs also declined to speculate on why the Pentagon did not cite the rule until Wednesday.

That account, however, didn’t square with the Defense Department’s explanation. The Pentagon said it informed the Obama campaign on Monday that he and his Senate staff could visit Landstuhl, where wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan are treated, but that no press would be allowed.

"Sen. Obama is more than welcome to visit Landstuhl or any other military hospital around the world," said Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary. "But he has to do so, just as any other senator has to do so, in his official capacity. It is not acceptable to do so as a candidate."

"In an election year," Morrell said, "I don’t believe that any candidate is allowed to visit a DOD facility with press."

He cited a Pentagon directive that activities "reasonably viewed as directly or indirectly associating the [Defense Department] with a partisan political activity" should be avoided.

Morrell said the U.S. military was prepared to accommodate Obama’s traveling press and campaign staff at the passenger terminal at Ramstein Air Base, the U.S. Air Force base in southern Germany where Obama’s plane had been cleared to land.

-- Michael Finnegan and Peter Spiegel

Comments

[oneStarman]

BUSHIES BOMB OBAMA - Its all politics all the time. First Condy Rice sends out a memo to embassy staff not to assist Obama (A U.S. Senator on a trip to U.S. war zones) Then Petraeus (you know the one Bush picked to betray us) put Obama on a short lease so he couldn't see the carnage and theft of U.S. reconstruction monies. So now Obama's visit to those U.S. soldiers maimed by the war was nixed by the Pentagon at the last minute. No Surprise.

[Kathy]

Obama said "no photo ops, no way". A very arrogant man but not terribly bright. He hurts himself with decisions like this one. I get a kick out of all the people calling him the antichrist as he's simply not smart enough for that role.

[Kenneth]

Mark, "The issues". Come on dude. Obama as a person and as a character IS THE ISSUE. Who cares if he gives us all healthcare if he also gives us all a bunch of lies and can't be trusted with the keys to the anyhting. He always seem to end his major comments with a "but" or something like it. Sounds like what the meaning of "is" is all over again.

[LTC US Army]

THERE IS NO DOUBT THE PENTAGON ON DIRECT ORDERS FROM THE BUSH WHITEHOUSE DIRECTED THE CHANGE OR AMENDMENT TO THE PLAN TO VISIT TROOPERS IN GERMANY.

THE BUSH WHITEHOUSE YOU ALL MAY RECALL WERE AROUND FOR WALTER REED, THE BLOATED BODIES FLOATING DOWN NEW ORLEANS STREETS..OR THE WAR THAT DID NOT HAVE TO BE....

MCCAIN IS A BUSH GUY..REGARDLESS!

[Kenneth]

Mark, "The issues". Come on dude. Obama as a person and as a character IS THE ISSUE. Who cares if he gives us all healthcare if he also gives us all a bunch of lies and can't be trusted with the keys to the anyhting. He always seem to end his major comments with a "but" or something like it. Sounds like what the meaning of "is" is all over again.

[Billw]

tdub:
"Now watch the media (and the righties) run around like chickens with their heads cut off for the next few weeks, months, on another "patriotism" issue........."

Hey, what is, is:.
He wouldn't wear the flag lapel pin.
He wouldn't put his hand over his heart during the national anthem.

[OLD NAVY MAN]

I'M SORRY BUT NOT VISITING WOUNDED TROOPS BECAUSE HE CAN'T BRING IN TV CAMERAS IS DESPICABLE. IF HE REALLY WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SUPPORTING THE TROOPS HE WOULD HAVE GONE ANYWAY. THATS WHAT A REAL AMERICAN WOULD HAVE DONE.

[Andrew]

Conflicting stories or not. Obama could visit if he REALLY wanted to. Leave the cameras behind and do some good for the service men and women.
I believe Obama to be the next president and it's a sad day once again to see the lack of respect for the military - especially during time of war.

[The Herder]

Sheeple: You need not believe every single thing written in a periodical or typed up on a news blog.

[Billw]

Unpatriotic? What else you Obama supporters?

No cameras, no visit to the troops.
He wouldn't wear the flag lapel pin.
He wouldn't put his hand over his heart during the national anthem.

Go ahead, explain it away if you can

[enoughofit]

Der Spiegal magazine called Obama's Berlin visit as coming from "the president of the world".
since when does Germany (or any other outside country for that matter) get to vote in an American election?
It should also be obvious to all that the Senator wouldn't visit wounded U.S. troops because his campaign photo-op had been correctly denied by the military.
it's all about Obama all the time, Ich bin ein Obama!

[Ryan Holznagel]

Look, let's not be silly about this. Maybe the visit was canceled for good reasons, or maybe for bad reasons, but it wasn't because Obama turned up his nose at the last second once he found out he wouldn't be on TV.

If Obama is as sneaky and calculating as claimed, then he'd be at least sneaky and calculating enough to know how bad that would look. That's just common horse sense.

In fact, the calculating choice would be the opposite: Go through with the visit and make a big show out of leaving the press to go in privately and virtuously.

He may or may not be a great guy, but let's at least be sensible about the arguments.

[Ransome]

The Pentagon does not want someone with a different mission statement confusing the troops, even if they do vote.

[cb]

THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN VISITING GERMANY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE WOUNDED TROOPS......EVERYTHING ELSE COMES SECOND!

[self sycophant]

Obama's a poopy poop poop! He bad and poopy! Not goody like McCain. McCain goody never do baddy! Poopy Obama!

[Andrew Russell]

Represents WHO? This little boy runs around wanting to be a leader, but does not have time for wounded soldiers. The press is not allowed so it would be viewed as a policital thing. Thank God, thinking people stilll vote in the United States.

[kyle]

which is a more sincere way to show respect and appreciation to wounded troops? Visiting them even though you can not turn it into a dog and pony show, or just avoiding them alltogether after you already scheduled a visit. I wonder if this is a sign of things to come. Saying you will do one thing, but doing the total opposite when it benifits you.. what a stand up guy.

[Sharon]

I am adding another comment. All week long McCain has tried to outdo Obama. Seems McCain got some help from Bush. Bush has shown his control over Pentagon already. Bush lied aobut reasons for going to war and got Pentagon to go along. Pentagon or Bush administration searched for a detailed letter of the law. Then deny or advise problems for Obama's visit to see servicemen. This is same administration that lied and got us into the war. Is same administration that has gotten our country in an economic disaster. This is the same administration that has allowed US citizens to continue reliance on oil and ultimately the present gasoline prices today. This is same administration that has created one of the largest debts in history of this country. This administration went from surplus to huge debt.

This is a story- true. But it has become a "you said it, he said it" situation. I believe Barack Obama. All logical explanations point Pentagon actions and statements are from this Republican administration to help John McCain. Sure they denied. What did you expect. John McCain has complained all week long. First this, then this, then that. John McCain himself created. He wants to discredit Obama and his trip overseas. Pentagon was cause of Obama not visiting our servicemen. It is sad to see Republicans become so deceptive. And I am registered Republican. Won't be for long. This long standing Republican has finally said no more of this party.

Hope this is a wake up for voters to put all pieces together for the undeniable answer!!! Obama campaign would not cancel a trip to the servicemen. They realize how this would have been viewed. Obama campaign has time and time again demonstrated use of good judgment. They have never purposely done anything like this before, or even close to this. This would have been quite dumb. For a year and half they have demonstrated how well they do with issues.

News Media I hope you start investigating John McCain's involvement.

[The Herder]

All of this talk about who's better qualified to be president. They both are.

*Both are over the age of 35 (McSame is double that;-))
*Both are natural-born US citizens
*Both have resided within the US for at least 14 years

Those are the only three qualifications provided by the US Constitution. Looks like McSame wasn't paying attention in History class - as evidenced by his barely-passing college grades.

Sheeple.

[kay]

No time to visit with out troops, but took time to work out in the Ritz Carlton gym. Someone should remind him the job he wants is Commander in Chief, not King!!

[vincent campellone]

Moma-Obama is true to form as a now show. Just imagine hi agility to handle a national or international
crises. No show on his voting record-No show in support to give this guy the right to act a president.
Truly actions speak loder than words! Just guess
thr rederick he will give congress! He could be the
president empeached befor taking office! Even
Clinton had more class than Moma-Obama!

[pica-boo34]

I would have to say that the title of this article is slightly misleading

[HollieSeven]

Hang on a minute..
you people WANTED him to go abroad
US Tax dollars are NOT being spent on this trip...
McCain spent US tax dollars on his trips..

This story misses the fact that the Pentagon issued a directive that because Obama's trip is paid for my campaign funds, it is against policy to visit troops. Period.

Now, if he had ignored the pentagon DIRECTIVE (not issued til this week, when this has been in the works for months!) what would you be saying?

[Mostlympc]

I hope John McCain wins the next election and get saddled with four more years of Bush policies.

Americans don't deserve Barack Obama.

Stupid gets what stupid does.

[Caroline Miniscule]

>>If Obama is as sneaky and calculating as claimed, then he'd be at least sneaky and calculating enough to know how bad that would look. That's just common horse sense.

If he had common horse sense, he'd know there are 50 states not 57, that a president can serve a maximum of 8 years, not 10, that he shouldn't be dissing his own country as he did in France earlier...

I predict there will be a black president in 2012... please God don't let it be Obama.