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Gregoire in Iraq visiting troops

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 11:02 AM PST

By Gene Johnson
The Associated Press

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SEATTLE — Mystery solved: Gov. Chris Gregoire is in Iraq this week meeting with National Guard troops from Washington state.

Gregoire left Sunday for Washington, D.C., where she had a briefing with Pentagon officials, including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, before flying to Iraq on Monday with fellow Govs. Jon Corzine of New Jersey and Rick Perry of Texas.

Gregoire’s whereabouts came into question Monday afternoon, when her office abruptly canceled a speech set for Tuesday at a pre-legislative session forum sponsored by The Associated Press. Her office refused to say where she was, other than out of state, sparking rumors that she was up for an appointment in the Obama administration. Washington’s Legislature begins its new session next Monday.

Gregoire said that for security reasons, State and Defense Department officials had asked her not to disclose her trip. She told reporters in a conference call from Baghdad that she had only just learned of the speculation her absence prompted, and that she ran for re-election last year because she wanted to be governor:

“I made it clear early on I would not accept an appointment.”

“I’m sorry to say I’ve been on a flight since Sunday, and I’m really not aware of any inconvenience or problems this has

caused,” she added.

In Iraq, Gregoire and the delegation met with U.S. service members, senior military and public officials. She had lunch with one National Guard unit, had dinner with another, and held a town-hall-style meeting with a third, she said.

“Every one of these individuals, I want you to know, could not be more proud,” she said. “The morale is high.”

She said her trip was prompted by a promise she made at a farewell ceremony for the Washington Army National Guard troops in Yakima as they left for Iraq in August.

There are about 2,500 members of the Washington National Guard serving in Iraq — 2,400 of them with the 81st Brigade, expected to return in July.

Gregoire is due back in the state Thursday night.

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reel mccoy wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:29 AM:

" The majority of the troops would not have a clue of who she is, or why she is there,more tax dollars down the shute. "

lord gregor wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:36 AM:

" A state governor showing support for the troops IN Iraq is hardly a waste of money. I bet if this were Rossi you'd think different. "

dogshead wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:39 AM:

" reel mccoy- She's visiting troops from Washington State...I believe they'll know who she is. And...it is 'chute'. "

boo275 wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:57 AM:

" How is this not a waste of OUR money?? The state does not have the money for her to take a tour of Iraq. I would love to see how much the bill for her little trip costs................ "

DUH wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:07 AM:

" A waste of money? Our governor showing the troops from Washington that they are not forgotten... PRICELESS! Awesome job Governor Gregoire! "

DUH wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:08 AM:

" You same people would complain if she was given the chance to go to show support and didn't. "

madcow wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:25 AM:

" shes gone over to Iraq to continue to spread the work of the dark forces. She is trying to bolster support for her future campaigns. Perhaps she is going over to interview enemy troops for positions that need to be filled within Washington State. "

stink wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:28 AM:

" DUH hits the nail on the head.

No matter what she does the naysayers will say nay. "

The Grateful Dad wrote on Jan 6, 2009 10:03 AM:

" Dogshead, the name of our state is Washington, NOT Washington State. There is only one Washington. The place on the east coast that the media so irresponsibly calls "Washington" is not a city, nor is it a state. It is a federal district, and it is called Washington D. C. (Washington District of Columbia). It cannot be called just "Washington". You don't call the state of Oregon, "Oregon State", or the state of New Jersey, "New Jersey State", so why refer to our state with the word "State" after it? We know it is a state. It has been a state since 1889. It is Washington. Period. Most military men overseas don't know who Gregoire is, and probably couldn't care less, even if they are from Washington. This is just another blatant waste of taxpayer dollars. Soon we'll have a President who is an illegal alien, and doesn't give a rip about those troops overseas, either. He is a socialist, elitist, who wants to spread the wealth around, as long as it's not his wealth that's being spread around. Welcome to the U.S.S.A. "

madcow wrote on Jan 6, 2009 10:52 AM:

" Grateful Dad, I agree with your input, however.............don't tell all the Cougar fans that there is no WSU. Even though the Washington State University football team appeared not to exist this season! "

dogshead wrote on Jan 6, 2009 11:01 AM:

" GD- I have learned to refer to my home (when I'm not in the northwest) as Washington State to be clear that I do not mean Washington, DC. When traveling, 'Washington' brings 'the DC one' to most people minds. Washington, DC is, and will continue to be (dispite your personal protest), called Washington. And I am sorry you're not able to celebrate the election of our new President.....who just moved to Washington! "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:33 PM:

" If only she had eloped with Baghdad Jim and both had agreed to live there forever in wedded bliss. "

banana hammock wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:36 PM:

" I dont recall her ever supporting the Troops or the ob they do. Does she not know they are not union? Is she trying to organize them for her next election? Seems she would be here trying to pacify the Union workers who so mistakenly voted for her and in doing so I think maybe their own demise. This seems so familiar wasnt their once a great nation that eventually thought so much of itself it imploded? I believe it was some where over in the Mediterranean and a guy fiddled as it burned, they say history repeats itself they are so silly. Is this Gregoire s fiddle? "

ab wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:59 PM:

" Grateful Dad, Dogshead refers to it as Washington State because he or she is not from Washington but a transplant that wants to change you and the state. We are Washingon and we are Oregon, we are not California or any of those states on the east coast,let us be who we are and stop trying to change us. We were just fine before they came here and now look at us, we need to get back to who we were not who they want us to be... "

ab wrote on Jan 6, 2009 1:03 PM:

" Dogshead. I too will be busy on Jan 20th, that morning I will go out to my Flag pole where I fly my flags 24/7 (and yes they are lit). At 8 AM, I will lower my American Flag and then raise it to half Staff in recognition of the death of my country, which had a massive coronary on Nov 4th and will be laid to rest on Jan 20th... "

slowburn wrote on Jan 6, 2009 1:05 PM:

" You people who would criticize her for this disgust me. That's all I have to say. "

DUH wrote on Jan 6, 2009 1:17 PM:

" She is over there representing every citizen in Washington by showing our support for our troops. If you disagree with what she is doing, then you do not support our troops. And you call yourselves American. You people disgust me! "

Joe Shmo wrote on Jan 6, 2009 1:23 PM:

" Keep Oregon and Washington Green with California money. "

Joe Shmo wrote on Jan 6, 2009 1:25 PM:

" I'm Glad she went to Iraq. I was afraid Obama was dumber than I thought to add her to his cabinet. "

stink wrote on Jan 6, 2009 1:46 PM:

" dang.. the country is dying?? I just moved back from an 8 year hiatus in Canada. "

ab wrote on Jan 6, 2009 4:02 PM:

" California doesn't have any money or haven't you been paying attention to the news. Looks like they are next for a bailout... "

dogshead wrote on Jan 6, 2009 6:01 PM:

" ab- speak about which you know. I have lived in Cowlitz County my entire (long)life. My great great grandparents settled here 45 years before there was a Longview. And, ab, read the news-Arnold has stated repeatedly that he is not seeking a federal bailout. "

justaperson wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:11 PM:

" I dont care that she is visiting the troops. I just dont believe its for any other reason than publicity.She is a politician and they are all about photo op's. She has never shown , in my opinion, any concern for anyone but herself. "

allaboutschools wrote on Jan 7, 2009 12:54 AM:

" These guys and gals will be headed back to their homes soon. The Gov. may be interested in laying the groundwork in prep of their return. "

commenter wrote on Jan 7, 2009 2:38 AM:

" Maybe she went over there to inform them that they won't be getting their promised raises. "

ThereGoesThatTriptoHawaii wrote on Jan 7, 2009 5:44 AM:

" The Grateful Dead - D.C. is referred to as simply Washington all the time, whether in casual conversation or print. It appears that the capitol of America is slightly more well known than the Apple State. As such, Washington D.C. is more widely familiar to not have to have the District of Columbia tag for clarification. If you travel much, you'll find that when meeting new people who want to know where you're from, inevitably, you will have to add 'State' for a clearer meaning. It's called solipsism. "

US CITIZEN wrote on Jan 7, 2009 7:44 AM:

" i think she went over because she is probly more well liked by the terrorists,she has destroyed a state without even firing a shot! "

mom of four wrote on Jan 7, 2009 7:40 PM:

" Well for all those who voted for her way to go ace! Us Citizen you got that one right! "

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