| 2007: McCain: Progress in Iraq may turn opinions on war |
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If Americans see improved conditions, it is not too late for support to rally, the Republican says. "I hope not," McCain said in a Des Moines Register interview, asked whether the public had given up hope on success in "I think the American people have to be shown some progress," the McCain, the GOP candidate most closely associated with President Bush's strategy to add troops in "Things are safer in Al Anbar province, which used to be the most dangerous place in all of He also noted that not all of the more than 20,000 additional But Americans probably will not judge as significant the reduction of insurgent attacks on "I think it's very hard for them to" distinguish one form of violence in McCain was campaigning in eastern April was the bloodiest month of 2007 for McCain cautioned an audience in "The hardest thing to stop in warfare is a suicide bomber," McCain told about 200 Iowa Republicans during the morning appearance. "So you are going to see this spectacular car bombing or the suicide bomber for a long time before this thing is over." Approval of Bush's handling of the McCain has been an outspoken critic of the administration's handling of the war, especially former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's performance. He had, however, long called for more troops in A Muscatine Republican Ian O'Connor said he was inclined to support McCain in the January caucuses but worried that the senator's staunch support for Bush's strategy could hurt his candidacy. "It's pretty controversial, but I agree with McCain that to leave now would leave Reporter Thomas Beaumont can be reached at (515) 286-2532 or tbeaumont@dmreg.com |