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Obama, McCain clash over Iraq
28/02/2008 08:49 - (SA)
Washington - Barack Obama and presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain locked horns over Iraq terrorism in a showdown that suggested the two consider each other likely rivals in the general election, even though the Democratic contest remains unresolved.
Left out of the long-distance exchange was Obama's Democratic rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton, who played to voter concerns about the economy as she campaigned in industrial Ohio, one of two contests next week she must win for the continued viability of her once-powerful candidacy.
McCain's mockery of Obama over comments about al-Qaeda in Iraq continued the theme that Obama is naive on foreign policy. Clinton has used the same tack as she rallies to halt her rival's momentum going into the March 4 races in delegate-rich Texas and Ohio.
Obama has won 11 straight primaries and has been increasingly gathering a lead in delegates. Rhode Island and Vermont also have contests on Tuesday.
Criticism of Obama
McCain criticised Obama for saying in Tuesday night's Democratic debate that, after US troops were withdrawn, as president he would act "if al-Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq."
"I have some news. Al-Qaeda is in Iraq. It's called 'al-Qaeda in Iraq'," McCain told a crowd in Tyler, Texas, drawing laughter at Obama's expense.
Obama quickly answered back while campaigning in Ohio: "I have some news for John McCain," he said. "There was no such thing as al-Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq. ... They took their eye off the people who were responsible for 9/11 and that would be al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, that is stronger now than at any time since 2001."
Obama said he intended to withdraw US forces from Iraq to concentrate on rooting out al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
McCain said he had not watched Tuesday night's Democratic presidential debate but was told of Obama's response when asked if as president he would reserve the right to send US troops back into Iraq to quell an insurrection or civil war.
American interests
Obama did not say whether he would send troops but responded: "As commander in chief, I will always reserve the right to make sure that we are looking out for American interests. And if al-Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq, then we will have to act in a way that secures the American homeland and our interests abroad."
On Wednesday, Obama expanded slightly that he "would always reserve the right to go in and strike al-Qaeda if they were in Iraq" without detailing what kind of strike that might be - air, ground or both.
The five-year-old Iraq conflict has emerged as a fault line in the general election, and throughout the primary season McCain has repeatedly attacked Obama and Clinton for saying they would withdraw the troops.
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