Obama visit makes life in Iraqi heat a little cool

Life around Camp Ramadi in Iraq can grow tedious, as soldiers provide security escorts in the 120-degree heat of the Sunni Triangle. But Air Force Col. Robert Burton of Mount Pleasant said the routine was shaken up a bit Tuesday.

Burton was one of several military officials who got to meet and greet Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama as Obama stopped by the camp on a Middle East tour.

He also met Obama's colleagues, Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

"I was very impressed," Burton said in a telephone interview after the group left. "They were all sharp and very knowledgeable, and they all understood military experience very well. ... It was a very cool thing to meet these guys."

The visit involved more handshakes and photos than substantive talks, but Burton, who hosted a fundraiser in Mount Pleasant for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson during the Democratic primary campaign, was able to ask Obama whom he will pick as his running mate.

"He smiled at me so well and said, 'What do you think?' " Burton said. "I said to Obama, 'You and (New York Sen.) Hillary (Clinton) were too sexy. Richardson couldn't get anything going.' He just kind of smiled."

Burton said he also told Obama that he understood the need to maintain suspense about the vice presidential pick, "and he said, 'Yeah, I do need to do that.' "

Burton, who ran as a Democrat for S.C. Adjutant General in 1998, said he found Obama personable and bright and said criticism of Obama's lack of foreign policy experience and his failure to support the recent surge in Iraq misses a point.

"He's a smart enough man that he'll surround himself with people who know things that he doesn't," Burton said. "(Republican presidential nominee John) McCain is a bright guy, too. I'm confident that both of these men would represent us well."

Burton said he knew about Obama's trip for a week but had to keep it secret for security reasons. He told his wife he might not be able to talk with her by phone for a few days, and while she worried at first, she eventually figured it out. "My daughter sent me an e-mail saying, 'Daddy, that's so cool. Get me an autograph.' "

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@ postandcourier.com.