McCain ties 2008 fate to US troops plan in Iraq
12 Jan 2007 20:35:10 GMT
WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - After months of calling for an increase in U.S. troops in Iraq, Republican Sen. John McCain got his wish -- and the fate of his 2008 White House bid could hang in the balance.
While some Republican colleagues have backed away from President George W. Bush's politically unpopular plan or offered only nuanced support, McCain had little choice but to stand with Bush even if it dims his presidential hopes.
The ultimate success or failure of the plan to send another 21,500 troops to Iraq could be a big factor in determining the political fate of the Arizona senator, an early favorite in the Republican presidential race and a bitter rival of Bush in the 2000 campaign.
"If this doesn't work, McCain could go down with the ship," said Bruce Buchanan, a political analyst at the University of Texas.
McCain, a former Vietnam prisoner of war who stresses his experience in foreign policy and military affairs, said he understands the political implications.
"I'd much rather lose a campaign than lose a war," he said after Bush outlined the plan on Wednesday.
Polls show up to two-thirds of Americans oppose Bush's proposal, which comes barely two months after voters rejected Bush's Republicans and elected a new Democratic Congress in part over frustration with the war effort.
Democrats have rushed to tie McCain to the plan, with Democratic presidential contender John Edwards calling it "the McCain doctrine." Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, another declared candidate, singled out McCain for criticism.
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