Newsview: McCain Steadfast on Iraq War

In this image released by the U.S. Army, U.S. Republican Senator from Arizona and a presidential hopeful John McCain, center, visits the popular Shorja market in central Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday April 1, 2007. McCain charged that the American people were not getting a "full picture" of progress in the security crackdown in the capital. (AP Photo/Sgt. Matthew Roe, US Army) (Sgt. Matthew Roe - AP)

LEXINGTON, Va. -- 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."

Perhaps eager to rally their own base, Democrats pounced.

"What we need today is a surge in honesty," Sen. Barack Obama, a top Democratic presidential candidate, said in a statement. He challenged McCain's assessment of improved security in Baghdad and argued that the Republican was measuring progress using "the same ideological fantasies" that led the U.S. into war.

Along with drawing such criticism, McCain's strategy carries risks.

Unlike most Americans who have turned against the war, three in four Republicans call it a worthy cause and a majority still agree with the decision to invade Iraq. But their continued support is no guarantee. The conflict has entered its fifth year, resulted in more than 3,200 U.S. deaths and cost some $350 billion.

Just Wednesday, the Pentagon announced that tours of duty for active-duty soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan would last 15 months _ three months longer than usual.

"This is what he believes and it would be tremendously awkward for him to back off at this point," said Dan Schnur, a GOP strategist and former McCain aide who said "he's going to be elected president, or not, based on this issue."

Underscoring the gamble, Schnur said: "Even loyal Republicans who aren't going to jump ship from the president are beginning to have concerns."