Gov. Rick Perry spent the weekend in Iraq visiting with some of the 4,000 soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard deployed to the region, saying it was important for troops to know they have the support of their home state.

"Their spirits are high. The morale is high," Perry said during a telephone interview Sunday from Kuwait. "They're really starting to see the results of their effort."

Perry joined the governors of Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois and Nevada on a trip with the Department of Defense. He said traveling to the country would allow the troops to see that both he and the rest of Texas appreciates their service.

Perry, whose trip included stops in Baghdad and other areas, said he noticed big differences in the country since his past trips to Iraq, once in January and another in 2006. He said Iraqis were living more normal lives now, visiting parks and driving through traffic, unlike three years ago when the war was gripping Baghdad.

"The place was almost a blackout" in 2006, he said, adding that the difference between then and now was "stunning."

"Baghdad looked like Austin, Texas. Lights are on everywhere. Traffic is moving through the streets," he said. "You see people going to the park."

"The democracy is taking hold," he said, noting that national elections will take place there in January.

The U.S. has started withdrawing combat troops from cities in Iraq and handing over security duties to the Iraqi military.

Perry said he will return to Texas later this week, but for security reasons couldn't say where else he planned to visit. The delegation left Friday from Washington.

Other elected officials from Texas have visited troops in Iraq. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison traveled there earlier this month.

Copyright Associated Press

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