Add Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) to the list of senators joining Barack Obama on his trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. Earlier today it was reported that Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) would be joining Obama in Iraq, but details are emerging that show he will also be traveling with Obama to Afghanistan. The two of them add some of the more respected voices on defense issues to Obama’s trip and will help in shielding him from possible attacks from John McCain and his surrogates.
Both Reed and Hagel are mentioned as possible running mates for Obama. Hagel is a Vietnam veteran and Reed is a West Point graduate and former Army paratrooper. While Hagel voted for the Iraq War and Reed did not, the two share views on Iraq that are close to those of Obama’s.
