McCain Mixes Up Iraqi Groups

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McCain's Foreign Policy Gaffe

Speaking to reporters in Jordan, John McCain mistakenly referred to Iranian extremists as al-Qaeda terrorists. McCain recanted after being corrected by Sen. Joseph Lieberman.

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A spokesman for McCain's campaign accused the Democrats of launching unwarranted political attacks.

"In a press conference today, John McCain misspoke and immediately corrected himself by stating that Iran is in fact supporting radical Islamic extremists in Iraq, not al Qaeda -- as the transcript shows," Brian Rogers said from McCain's Virginia headquarters. "Democrats have launched political attacks today because they know the American people have deep concerns about their candidates' judgment and readiness to lead as commander in chief."

McCain has said repeatedly that he is leading the three-person congressional delegation abroad as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, not as a candidate for president. But he is giving daily interviews to U.S. networks and will hold a campaign fundraiser in London on Thursday. And in both Jordan and Israel, he was mobbed by reporters anxious to hear from him.

His political advisers had said that a side benefit from the trip would be images of McCain standing shoulder-to-shoulder with world leaders and showing his expertise on issues of war, foreign policy and terrorism.

McCain continued that effort after leaving Jordan, meeting Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem before a series of other high-level talks in the city Wednesday. McCain, Lieberman and Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) met with Peres in his residence, at a long table set with cookies, water bottles and a floral centerpiece.

"Could I just say, Mr. President, I'm happy to have the opportunity to see you again. And we've met on many occasions. And I've always appreciated your words of wisdom and guidance," McCain told Peres in a brief exchange for the news media at the beginning of the meeting.

Peres said he admires McCain's "courage and stamina" and said Israel needs a partner in achieving peace with the Palestinians.

"The situation among the Palestinians, they are divided, alas, which makes them weak," Peres said. "And their weakness is our weakness because we [need a] partner."

Shear reported from Jerusalem.