Governors see 'hope' among U.S. troops

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WASHINGTON, April 19 (UPI) -- Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said he saw a strong commitment to the mission of U.S. service personnel on Iraq during a visit to the war zone.

Daniels was one of four governors who traveled to Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq last weekend and met Wednesday with U.S. President George Bush about the trip. Other governors who just returned from Iraq were Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin. Daniels and Bush are Republicans; Vilsack and Manchin Democrats.

Daniels said every person he talked to "believe they are doing something important."

"And so I simply report on their behalf that they think this is a noble thing they're doing and are very proud of the contribution they are making ...," Daniels said.

Vilsack told of speaking to one Iowa man, training Afghan army personnel, who said "every day I see hope in this country."

Bush said he would continue to push the Iraqis to form a unity government since "vacuums in the political process create opportunity for malfeasance and harm."