re:I never called it plastic and you miss the point...
The article I quoted was one week later.
It was a photo opportunity as far as Bush was concerned. Or he would have not allowed pictures to be taken. Or he could have gone to some small out of the way camp and spent the whole day with the troops...
Instead he choose the Baghdad Airport and only the most secure spot there.
He picked up the prop for the effect...gees face it.
If it had been Clinton you would be on this like the cheap theater it was!