XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN AUG 22, 2004 16:35:43 ET XXXXX
NBC ON-AIR REPORT DURING OLYMPIC COVERAGE ABOUT POSSIBLE BUSH TRIP
NBC's Jim Lampley on Bush's possible visit for Iraqi soccer game:
NBC, 4:30pm ET
"Within the last 24 hours, the online newsletter the Drudge report
published a story indicating that president George W. Bush may attend
an Iraqi soccer game here in Greece. As you can imagine, the trip was
being planned in secret. The Iraqi soccer story has become one of great
interest as the team, unheralded just ten days, has stunningly played
its way into the Olympic semi-finals. According to "drudge," president
bush would arrive in time for the gold medal game here in Athens next
Saturday, should the Iraqis make it that far. However, Bush campaign
manager Ken Mehlman, appearing on Meet the Press this morning, told Tim
Russert that he knew of no plans by the president to go to the Olympics.
Two things we can add to a possible U.S. presidential visit: Given the
already tightly-stretched security situation here in Athens, his
presence would probably not be a welcome sight for those entrusted with
the complex security operation already in place here. Despite their warm
feelings for the American people, polls in Greece show a wide majority
of the Greek population do not approve of president Bush, his
administration and its policies. Probably meaning, added and
extraordinary security measures would be needed.
Second, and perhaps more pointedly, the Iraqi soccer players, the
supposed focus of this surprise visit, have been outspoken in calling on
president Bush to stop using them as election-related fodder. Said one
Iraqi mid fielder, "Iraq as a team does not want Mr. Bush to use us for
the presidential campaign. He can find another way to advertise
himself." The Bush campaign has run ads in which the flags of both Iraq
and Afghanistan appear and the narration mentions that two more free
nations are participating at these Olympics. Later today, the State
Department announced that secretary of state Colin Powell will represent
the United states at the closing ceremony next Sunday."
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Filed By Matt Drudge
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