DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Gov. Chet Culver is defending his two-day trip to Iraq, saying as commander of the state's National Guard it's his responsibility to meet with troops.
Some Republicans have questioned whether the trip last week was more about politics than the military, but the Democratic governor told reporters Tuesday that it's important to show soldiers they have his support.
Culver spoke at a news conference where he urged legislators to support a measure offering unemployment benefits to people who must quit their jobs when a spouse is deployed by the military. He also honored Capt. Daniel Whitten, an Iowa soldier who was killed last month in Afghanistan.
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