Obama now “considering” a summer trip to Iraq

A change of heart? The NYT Caucus blog reports:

THORNTON, Colo. – Senator Barack Obama said today that he is considering visiting American troops and commanders in Iraq this summer. He declined an invitation from Senator John McCain to take a joint trip to Iraq, saying: “I just don’t want to be involved in a political stunt.”

In a brief interview here, Mr. Obama said his campaign was considering taking a foreign trip after he secures the Democratic presidential nomination. No details have been set, he said, but added: “Iraq would obviously be at the top of the list of stops.”

“Obviously”? Yeah right. It’s been 871 days since his one and only visit to Iraq. Why would Iraq suddenly and “obviously” be at the top of the list of his places to visit?

Mr. Obama suggested today that any foreign itinerary would include a stop in Iraq.

“I think that if I’m going to Iraq, then I’m there to talk to troops and talk to commanders, I’m not there to try to score political points or perform” Mr. Obama said. “The work they’re doing there is too important.”

So “important” he’s willing and eager to cut that work short if he gets elected as CIC. And if he’s not trying to “score political points” why has Iraq only just now become a priority locale for him to visit, right after McCain called him on it?

Maybe McCain will offer to give him a tour.