John McCain has rolled the dice on Iraq. Linked to the unpopular four-year war and his presidential campaign floundering, the Republican had little choice but to embrace the conflict anew. "It is necessary and just," the Arizona senator said Wednesday, demanding that the U.S. strive for victory and accusing anti-war Democrats, including the party's White House contenders, of valuing electoral politics over sound policy.Speaking to a friendly audience of Virginia Military Institute cadets, McCain staked his candidacy on Iraq in a speech that amounted to a full-throated appeal to the majority of Republicans who still back a war most Americans call hopeless. His criticism of Democrats were words certain to energize GOP voters.
Trailing in national polls and fundraising, the failed candidate of 2000 hopes GOP voters will view him as a principled leader for his unflinching war stance in the face of political pressure and, ultimately, will reward him with the 2008 Republican nomination. "In Washington, Democrats view it as a political opportunity and Republicans view it as a political burden," McCain told reporters of the war. "Our nation's interests should prevail over any parochial or party interests we might have, or any election."