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Monday, January 16, 2006

Recap: Schmidt's trip to Iraq

If you've been reading the Enquirer, then you know all about Rep. Jean Schmidt's recent jaunt to Bulgaria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.

But let's refresh, and go over a few additional details:

The Enquirer first heard from the Miami Township congresswoman last Monday, when she called to say that she was in Bulgaria. It was beautiful - and cold, she said. Schmidt was asked about her visit to Iraq, but she said she hadn't made it to Iraq yet. She also was asked if she was backing Rep. John Boehner, R-West Chester, for majority leader. Schmdit said she hadn't spoken with Boehner, so she couldn't say.

And that was it. A phone call from half a world away, and no news to report.

Thankfully, Schmidt's office scheduled a conference call on 5 p.m. on Thursday so all the reporters following her trip to Iraq could get the latest. Only the Enquirer and the Post were on the call, so Schmidt made small talk waiting for other reporters to join the call. She described watching the end of the Bengals game on the flight overseas and how she hoped quarterback Carson Palmer will be OK. Finally a reporter from Loveland joined the call and she got going. Only one problem: Schmdit still hadn't been to Iraq. So 30 minutes later, we had all the details we needed on her visit to Bulgaria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, but still nothing on Iraq - and no answer on whether she was backing Boehner.

Read the story that followed that phone call here.

Read today's column that also came from that phone call here.

On Saturday, Schmdit called the Enquirer for a third time. She had just spent 15 hours in in Iraq on Friday, during which time she met with top military leaders and soldiers, including several from Ohio. Finally.

Read that story here.

Note that despite Schmidt saying that the troops have enough body armor, a recent analysis from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner said 80 percent of the fatal injuries to Marines in the study might have been prevented by more body armor. Army and Marine Corps generals vowed last week to improve body armor for troops after meeting this week with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

More than 1,500 soldiers and 633 Marines have been killed in Iraq, many by rifle shots or explosions that better armor could have prevented.

Read more about that report and the meeting last week in USA Today here.

Schmidt, who caused a ruckus in the House last November during a debate on withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, said that while she stands by her remarks to Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., a decorated former Marine, that "cowards cut and run, Marines never do," she has a much better understanding now of the challenges in Iraq.

"Regardless of those statements ... anytime you get to see things first-hand, you get a better perspective," Schmidt said.

Schmidt returned to the U.S. yesterday.


3 Comments:

at 1:23 PM, January 16, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

She still stands by her ignorant comments, that are an embarressment to our nation and all the people she's supposed to represent. She insults a decorated war hero who was speaking for many generals.

She is an out of touch moron and will be defeated no matter how much support she gets from this republican rag.

 
at 3:08 PM, January 16, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Actually anonymous's comments are ignorant. Polls show and Hackett even agreed that the people in the 2nd district overwhelming supported Schmidt's comments. Only 11% supported the idiot Murtha. Her comments came from General's comments. I think the question pertained to conditions today not over the past years. Maybe things could have been better back then but the question regarded current contitions. I guess Sinnard thinks she should have told the General's that they were not as informed as he is.

 
at 7:36 AM, January 17, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

My name is Jim Parker and I was the first person to declare my candidacy for Congress in the Ohio 2nd. I even anounced my intention before people were sure if Jean Schmidt was going to run again.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that she thinks our troops have enough body armor. Most of the American soldiers who have died in Iraq died from deaths which could have been prevented. Have you seen how many yellow ribbons and pictures of lost soldiers there are in Southern Ohio? It is sad. Lives lost but never forgotten... Everytime I see a yellow ribbon, or a sign or a picture of a soldier who lost his life, I tell myself... Just one more house, just one more family... Maybe that will be the person who makes the difference. Then, this will all be worth the incredible effort that I have been giving for you.

The 11% comment on Murtha is more political smoke and mirrors. The vote on the House of Representatives floor was completely different from what he originally proposed. There are people out there who will do anything to distract attention from the real issues and problems in America. Ignore their tactics and keep your eye on the ball.

Another interesting note... When her plane took off, I commented that I hoped that maybe this experience would give her a better perspective. Now she says she has a better perspective.

I have another idea... How about if the people of Southern Ohio elect a "real" Congressman for themselves and their families. Why don't we elect somebody who wants to save Medicare (instead of send you junk mail about it - which, by the way, was funded at taxpayers expense). Why don't we elect somebody who cares more about the problems that you face at your dinner table every night than he'll ever care about the oil and insurance companies that have a free reign to bleed every decent family and American business dry. I work in healthcare and the first thing that we do is "Stop the Bleed". We have the chance to do that this year. Log onto the internet and type "Jim Parker for Congress". Make your own decision... But make it a good one.

I am Jim Parker and I will be a great Congressman for you, your children, your parents and EVERY person who lives in Southern Ohio. I just need you to believe in me as much as I believe in you.

Thank you.

Jim Parker, MBA/MHA
Candidate for US Congress
Southern Ohio - 2nd District - 2006

 
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