Obama: Iraq Agreement Shows McCain's "Bluster ... Out Of Touch With Reality"

Republican presidential candidate John McCain prides himself on being gung-ho about pursuing the Iraq war even if it hurts him politically. Recent events in Baghdad threaten to put him still farther out on a limb, however, as the Bush administration works toward a troop withdrawal schedule that is more aggressive than McCain envisions.

Democrat Barack Obama says a McCain presidency would amount to a third term for President Bush, whose popularity approaches historic lows. If the Baghdad negotiations appear headed to fruition while Iraq remains relatively stable -- big ifs -- some say Obama may be able to push even harder, saying McCain would out-Bush Bush if he had his way.

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Obama said in a statement Friday he was glad the Bush administration "has finally shifted to accepting a timetable for the removal of our combat troops from Iraq." He noted the draft has yet to be finalized, and reserved "final judgment."

He said McCain "has stubbornly focused on maintaining an indefinite U.S presence in Iraq, but events have made his bluster and record increasingly out of touch with reality. While Sen. McCain continues to offer unconditional military and economic support for Iraq, I strongly believe that we need to use our leverage with the Iraqi government to ensure a political settlement."

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