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McCain criticizes Obama on war strategy, gas prices

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

July 22, 2008

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine - Republican John McCain worked yesterday to wrestle the spotlight from Barack Obama's tour of Iraq by insisting he was right and the Democrat was wrong about the war and releasing a new ad blaming higher gasoline prices on his opponent.

As Obama toured the war zones trailed by U.S. network TV anchors, McCain ridiculed him during a visit with the first President George Bush at his summer home here.

Obama has said he would withdraw U.S. troops from combat there over 16 months, while McCain has resisted any time-table for withdrawal.

Any withdrawal of troops from Iraq "must be based on conditions on the ground," McCain told reporters as he stood beside the 84-year-old former president.

The Arizona senator disparaged Obama as "someone who has no military experience whatsoever."

"When you win wars, troops come home," McCain said.

"He's been completely wrong on the issue. ... I have been steadfast in my position."

Later, at a fundraiser, McCain said that, in Iraq, "We've succeeded. We're not succeeding, we've succeeded."

Stewart Iverson, chairman of Iowa's Republican Party, said he hopes voters will conclude from Obama's overseas visit that "one trip doesn't make you an expert in foreign policy."

The elder Bush declined to advise McCain on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, noting that he no longer follows every headline each day.

"No advice," Bush said. "My respect for him knows no bounds."

In a TV ad on national cable and in 11 states, McCain pushed his support for offshore oil drilling as the remedy for rising gas prices.

And even though McCain opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and during his 2000 presidential run opposed lifting the offshore drilling moratorium, his ad clearly tries to blame rising prices on support for the moratorium by Obama.

As the price readout on a lonely gas pump rolls over to $5, the announcer asks, "Who can you thank for rising prices at the pump?" Rising from the background is the sound of a crowd chanting: "Obama, Obama, Obama." A smiling Obama appears on the screen with a pump rising over his right shoulder.

Finally the announcer says: "One man knows we must now drill more in America and rescue our family budgets. Don't hope for more energy, vote for it. McCain."