Obama visit a reminder of off-the-radar Iraq war

(For more on Obama's visit to Iraq see [ID:nN07461054])

* Only 2 pct of U.S. media coverage is about Iraq

* Many in U.S. think Iraq conflict over, reality different

* Veterans returning at time of rising unemployment

By Claudia Parsons

NEW YORK, April 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Iraq on Tuesday returned the spotlight to a war that has all but dropped off the news radar screen in the United States, which is preoccupied by its economic crisis.

Television news, chat shows and other media are dominated by reports of massive job losses, home foreclosures, collapsed banks and automakers on the verge of bankruptcy.

Some veterans groups say that makes it harder for servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to get the help they need to return to civilian life.

Pete Hegseth, head of Vets for Freedom, said part of the reason for the reduced attention is that violence has fallen.