"Photo Op" McHenry avoids debate with Iraq trip

I guess it's a good excuse to avoid debating a respected conservative opponent. And I suppose for security, he wasn't "allowed" to say where he'd be. But Democrat congressional candidate Daniel Johnson hit the nail on the head about Pat McHenry's recent publicity stunt to be seen with non-district troops in Iraq. From the Statesville Record & Landmark:

Hickory attorney Daniel Johnson, a Democratic candidate for McHenry’s seat, is not sure trips like this are necessary.

“I think a lot of politicians like to have their pictures taken with the soldiers in Iraq,” Johnson said.

Of course, Johnson, a decorated former Naval officer would know all about that . . .

“Iraq is one front on the war on terror,” he said. “And the question becomes, ‘Do we have enough troops and forces to deal with the other fronts?’ ”

Johnson said he believes the Taliban has been able to “re-establish a foothold” in Afghanistan.

“And al-Qaida, the people responsible for 9/11, are still out there,” he said.

Johnson said trips like the one made by McHenry are valuable only if “new” information can be gathered.

“But my concern is that too many politicians are going over there for the photo ops,” he said.

And why didn't McHenry go to Afghanistan? Not enough publicity boom for the risk? Those troops and those citizens have been virtually forgotten by both legislators and the press.

No word on the trip's cost to taxpayers, of course.