(CNN) – Sarah Palin did not visit troops in Iraq, a spokesperson for the Republican VP nominee confirmed Saturday, as new details emerged about the extent of the Alaska governor’s foreign travel.
In July of last year, Palin left North America for the first time to visit Alaskan troops stationed in Kuwait. Palin officials originally said her itinerary included U.S. military installations or outposts in Germany and Kuwait, and that she had visited Ireland. An Alaska spokeswoman for Palin had said Iraq was also one of the stops on that trip.
The Boston Globe reported Saturday that Palin visited the Iraqi side of a border crossing - but never journeyed past the checkpoint.
Earlier: McCain defends Palin's experience level
Earlier, campaign aides confirmed reports that Palin’s time in Ireland on that trip had actually been a re-fueling stop.
(UPDATED with campaign statement after the jump)
The Obama camp – which has increasingly accused the McCain campaign of deliberately lying in ads and on the stump – was quick to highlight to that story, along with a news report that explored whether the McCain campaign have been sending out wildly inflated crowd estimates.
The McCain team has twice pointed to law enforcement as the source for those estimates – but the same officials denied to Bloomberg News that they had provided the numbers cited by the Republican nominee’s campaign.
"The McCain campaign said Governor Palin opposed the Bridge to Nowhere, but now we know she supported it,” said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor in a statement. “They said she didn't seek earmarks, but now we know she hired a lobbyist to get millions in pork for her town and her state. They said she visited Iraq, but today we learned that she only stopped at the border. Americans are starting to wonder, is there anything the McCain campaign isn't lying about?”
A Palin spokesperson also confirmed Saturday that the governor had visited Mexico on a personal vacation trip. She has also visited Canada.
UPDATE: The McCain-Palin campaign issued a statement late Saturday in which they said Palin had traveled into Iraq, although she did not go beyond the border crossing:
"Last summer, Governor Palin travelled to Kuwait where she visited Alaskan National Guard troops deployed to the war in Iraq at Camp Arifjen. While she was there she travelled to the K Crossing on the Kuwait-Iraq border, and a quarter mile into Iraq. According to the General who travelled with her, while she was there she presided over a re-enlistment ceremony of an Alaskan National Guard soldier. En route back to the United States, she travelled to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. While in Germany, Governor Palin visited wounded soldiers at the Landstuhl military hospital. She then returned home. She has also visited Canada, as well as Mexico for a vacation."
From CNN Politics
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obamas camp just cant stand the fact that she is a better person to be vp than he is to be the president. and if anything what makes him the the best pick for president obamas supporters would try to ruin anyone who was running but i dont think all his big speaches is gonna help him anymore he is done he old news (with his back ground hes got to be joking )her back ground aint even close to the dirt he has on him (she looks like mary mother of jesus compared to obama)
SHAMEFULL !
Obama / Biden 08'
Woo. this is not goof. To have not even traveled to Iraq all the way and actually do something.. doesn't look good for the picture.
Just lie, lie, lie lie. What is wrong with the republicans. They all just lie
Big shocker. The McCain camp is telling stories. The last few days have been pretty disgusting from his camp.
Once again another lie from Palin. I do not understand why people are rallied up by this women. Not one issue that a person said that they like about her has stood above water. I believe if all of her supports stood back a look at her record they how to ask themselves why am I voting for these people. Remember that is why they vote for Bush twice because they thought they could relate to him. And look at us know. If someone could tell me one thing that she said she did that was not a lie. Other than she love guns and she is Pro Life. Just one. I will wait for this response.
These people are such liars. I don't know how they can run for a POTUS and VPOTUS with all of this deception. I know people are human and they can make mistakes...but come on! This is madness and they release/reveal this type of information over the weekend because they think people aren't paying attention.
We are watching...the world is watching!
Obama/Biden '08....the only choice for me
The McCain campaign including McCain himself are a bunch of losers. They will exaggerate alot and deny anything that does not benefit them. The Republican party is known for lying, belittling people and also are known for the fear mongering tactics. But I am surprised that majority of the people of the United States of America and so illiterate and narrowminded.
HERE WE GO AGAIN....OH THE TANGLE WEBS WE WEAVE WHEN WE FIRST ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE.....
How many more lies/scandals can come out her mouth before people realize that shes lieing right to our faces.
It's too late Obama. Complain all you want. America made up their mind on Sarah Palin when she gave her speech.
You should have picked Hillary. Too bad your pride wouldn't let you.
Wow, what a depth of knowledge of foreign cultures she must have gleaned in her extensive travels. And yes, that's sarcasm.
And now we learn that she thinks that we may have to go to war with Russia if Russia invades Georgia. Certainly, she is thinking that the Russians are contemplating seizing Atlanta and Savannah.
Would anyone in her camp want to bet that she can place South Ossetia on the map?
I have visited Mexico (spent a day in Tijuana) and Canada – (a bus trip to a casino from Detroit). I have been to France -4 days, and Spain -3days and oh on the way back to the states we stopped in London. I guess I have as much foreign policy experience as PALIN. Finally, I know for certain I have never asked or accepted earmarks, IF I was a Republican I could be on the ticket as a potential vp. -
Vote for Barack "Barry " Obama
I just now realize who Sarah Palin is reminding me of, Kathleen Harris the former Sec/State of Florida. She has the physical appeal factor going and is eating up the publicity, but not much on substance. I think the Republican party took the gamble to try and neutralize Obama's rock star status. And it has worked. But for how long? She was tapped on the shoulder rather than going through a 19 month vetting process with the american people, countless debates, and many, many interviews. The people chose Obama. McCain and the Republican party chose Palin. But the day of reckoning will come and her publicity show will wear off.
Well isnt that special another fib or bold face lie.. Thou shalt not lie...
Obama/Biden 08
The campaign admits they are liars. Why did it take so long?
Interesting! As an evangelical christian, its just sickening now to watch people of faith wholeheartedly embrace a campaign built on lies.
What example are we setting for our children for Christ's sake? – that the only way to succeed is to taint your morals? That a good fight is impossible, and an honorable win unachievable?
Do we actually vote based on values or just our party? Are we principled people or just hypocrites /pharisees. Does a sin automatically become acceptable because it is committed by one of our own.
Lastly, if the every generation handed over a weak and torn America to the next, would we have such a great nation today?
2008 is not about party, or personality. Its about a duty to make this nation a better and more untied place that we met it.
But, when a politician (even one from my "favored" party) toys, and games with that just to win an election, there is where I selflessly draw the line, for me, my children and the America of the future.
God Bless America!
More GOP distortions for rhetoric and sound bites. Then, CNN and the rest of the media sheep go on and report it. Why haven't we heard anything about Palin's pastor and religion? Rev. Wright was in every news cycle for two months after Super Tuesday and he's far more mainstream. GOP, bring on the lies and sleeze, because its all words and no substance... more of the McSame.
...ok, and this Iraq thing is brought up because of........?? C'mon, why is this brought up...!!??
I don't care where she visited. Even if she visited every country in the world, that wouldn't change the danger we would face if she and McCain were elected. These two would get us into WWIII so fast we wouldn't know what hit us. What's worse they would do it over religion and ideals rather for our own protection. America has big enough problems right now without a couple of right wing fundementalist Christians getting us into another war because someone disagreed with their narrow world view.
By the way – I like how Biden release 10 years of his tax returns while all we hear from the republican side about their lives is "That's no one's business." What happened to transparency? McCain was partially right to compare Obama to Britiny Spears – their lives are open books.
One last comment that I have been trying to make for days. McCain and Palin have degrees in war and journalism respectively. Obama is educated in constitutional law. Who do you think has a better understanding of the constitution? I WANT TO HEAR MORE REPORTING ON THE EDUCATION LEVEL OF THE CANDIDATES – I DON'T WANT ANOTHER IDIOT "C" STUDENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
LIARS!!!!
Mission Accomplished: More GOP distortions for rhetoric and sound bites. Then, CNN and the rest of the media sheep go on and report it. Why haven't we heard anything about Palin's pastor and religion? Rev. Wright was in every news cycle for two months after Super Tuesday and he's far more mainstream. GOP, bring on the lies and sleeze, because its all words and no substance... more of the McSame. What qualities does Palin bring to the ticket? Oh, yah, ultra right wacko.
Someone close to McCain was asked what made Palin qualify for foreign policy credentials. And the person said Alaska is in close proximity to Russia. Can you believe that? The fact that I can stand in New Jersy and see the sky scrappers in New York doesn't mean I qualify as a mayor for New York. Stand in Alaska and look toward Russia and what you see is polar bears. Putin and others live in Moscow.
I'm sick of all this lying and manipulation. Trying to fool the American people with smoke screens and distractions. It's reprehensible and John McCAin should be ashamed of his dishonorable VP pick and sleazy campaign. What happened to "Country First". What a joke!