McCain in Baghdad - situation improved - it's just the media getting it wrong

Interesting to hear Judas John McCain take shots at Democrats from war-torn super-safe Baghdad earlier today. I wonder if his trip had anything to do with the fact that he was embarrassed on CNN last week, when he opined that U.S. General David Petraeus routinely rides around in Baghdad unguarded in an open vehicle. McCain was almost immediately slapped down by CNN correspondent Michael Ware, who has been in Iraq for the better part of the last four years. (More on McCain's CNN gaffe Here, including video.)

Above, McCain speaks during a press conference at the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, earlier today. A Republican congressional delegation led by Sen. John McCain blasted Democratic efforts to impose a deadline for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and McCain charged that the American people were not getting a "full picture" of progress in the security crackdown in the capital.

Maybe we're not getting the full picture, and from the Green Zone in Baghdad, I'm sure things look just rosy, but if you think that McCain is traveling in Baghdad (or to and from the airport) with no security, you're out of your mind.

What's more, McCain fails to mention (surprise) that violence has escalated in other parts of Iraq since the Bush troop surge began to arrive in Iraq that McCain supported. So, even if things are great in Baghdad, there's also the rest of the country to think about, Senator.

No word on whether McCain is thinking of walking around Baghdad without any security, as he wrongly asserted last week that General Petraeus does. Also, I've read of no indication that McCain will take CNN reporter Michael Ware up on his offer of visiting the Baghdad neighborhood McCain bragged was so safe so the two of them can walk down the street.

I don't know if McCain's trip was planned well in advance, but I'm betting it wasn't. I'm also betting that as soon as he got bitch slapped on CNN, his handlers and advisers told him he needed to immediately go to Baghdad to save face.

"Just as we read about all the negative events in Iraq the American people must be aware of the positive developments under this new plan, and the media has a responsibility to report all aspects of what is taking place," said McCain during a press conference.

Fair enough, Senator, but when a car bomb goes off and outside your safe little Green Zone in Baghdad, it's still news. I've read many opinions recently that the terrorists are just waiting out the surge and concentrating on other areas, since so many of our troops are in Baghdad.

Also interesting to hear McCain go to the dog-eared play book of the GOP to call this trite play: "Things aren't going well, so we're gonna run the good 'ole liberal press hyping bad news pass to the end zone. And Fox, make sure you dodge that defender U.R. Accountable - he's been giving us problems all year! Ready... BREAK!"

See you when you get home, judas.

(AP Photo/Sabah Arar, Pool)