The only gatherings you see GWB in are with the troops or Republican fundraisers.
With the single exception of Tony's local, GWB
does not do walkabouts among hoi polloi.
As for bravery, landing in Baghdad without lights in an a/c with the world's top ECM and anti-missile suite ain't all that daunting -- there may have more troops on approach/departure path patrol than at din-din
