McCain raps Obama on Iraq strategy

McCain addressing the 87th Annual Convention of the Disabled American Veterans, Saturday

Presumptive Republican nominee McCain has echoed earlier criticism of his Democratic rival for supporting US troop withdrawal from Iraq.

Speaking to a group of disabled veterans in Las Vegas on Saturday, John McCain took Barack Obama to task over his lack of support for a Bush administration initiative last year to send 30,000 US troops to Iraq.

"The surge has succeeded," McCain said. "Yet Senator Obama commits a grave error by insisting that, even in hindsight, he would oppose the surge. Even in retrospect, he would choose the path of retreat and failure for America over the path of success and victory."

Obama has condemned McCain's support for the Iraq invasion, saying the US must shift its focus onto Afghanistan where the Taliban and al-Qaeda are gaining strength.

McCain went on to say, "Behind all of these claims and positions by Senator Obama lies the ambition to be president. What's missing is the judgment to be commander-in-chief."

McCain also rapped Obama's proposal for setting a timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. "Both candidates in this election pledge to end this war and bring our troops home. The great difference is that I intend to win it first."

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