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Obama and McCain bicker over US troop levels in Iraq
US presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain on Friday squabbled over the number of US troops in Iraq.
- Agencies
- Published: 09:38 May 31, 2008
Milwaukee: US presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain on Friday squabbled over the number of US troops in Iraq.
Obama criticised McCain for giving an unrealistic view of how many American troops are in Iraq.
On Thursday, McCain said last year's increase in the number of troops in Iraq was working. "I can look you in the eye and tell you it's succeeding," he said. "We have drawn down to pre-surge levels. Basra, Mosul and now Sadr city are quiet."
Obama's campaign was quick to say McCain was wrong.
"That's not true and anyone running for commander in chief should know better," Obama said. "As the saying goes, you're entitled to your own view, but not your own facts.
The United States plans to withdraw 10,000 troops from the total 155,000 troops in Iraq in July.
McCain's campaign said it was just a question of tenses—saying "drawn down" as opposed to "drawing down." A campaign official said Obama's group was nit-picking".
Asked if he misspoke, McCain said in Milwaukee: "Of course not. I said we've drawn down. The rest of them will be home at the end of July."
Obama accused McCain of refusing to admit his mistake.
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