McCain: War Isn't Sapping My '08 Support

Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, asks a question as Sen. John Warner, R-Va., looks on, during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, on the nomination of Gen. George W. Casey to become Army Chief of Staff. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh - AP)

WASHINGTON -- Arizona Sen. John McCain says only Washington insiders believe his 2008 presidential campaign may be suffering because he supports President Bush's decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

"Well, I think there's that, maybe, perception inside the Beltway. But outside, a lot of Republicans are rallying to this belief that we need to have a strategy that can win, and realize the consequences of failure," McCain said Sunday.

"Many people trust my judgment because they've known me for many years," he said. "Look, it's of secondary importance, but I think we're doing just fine, and I think polls indicate that."

McCain pledged to respond to any negative attacks against him during the race.

"Obviously, I would do so, but I hope we would do so in an honorable fashion," he said. "We will run an honorable campaign. Most people believe that, and I do, too. I'm committed to it."

Voters swept Republicans from Capitol Hill control in November's elections, but McCain said the GOP is best aligned with the nation's core beliefs.

"We're still a right-of-center party. This nation is still a right-of-center nation. And I believe the Democrats are the left-of-center party. So, do we need to make significant adjustments, learn the lessons of the 2006 election? Absolutely."

McCain appeared on "This Week" on ABC.

___

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Sen. Chuck Hagel, a possible White House hopeful in 2008, says don't consider him an anti-war candidate if he does run.

The Nebraska Republican, a Vietnam veteran, has criticized President Bush's troop increase plan for Iraq as "the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam."

Hagel is one of five GOP senators who so far are backing a resolution by Sen. John Warner, R-Va., that would put the Senate on record as opposing Bush's plan.