WASHINGTON — John McCain feels left out.
He used his Saturday radio address to explain how "With all the breathless coverage from abroad, and with Senator Obama now addressing his speeches to 'the people of the world,' I'm starting to feel a little left out. Maybe you are too."
McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, kept up that sardonic tone throughout the address, charging that Obama, who is wrapping up a tour of the Middle East and Europe, has taken "multiple positions on the surge in Iraq."
Obama has explained his views on the war are dictated by events.
But to McCain, Obama "can't quite bring himself to admit his own failure in judgment. Instead, he commits the even greater error of insisting that even in hindsight, he would still oppose the surge. Even in retrospect, he would choose the path of retreat and failure for America over the path of success and victory. That's not exactly my idea of the judgment we seek in a commander-in-chief."
He also criticized Obama for advocating increasing U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan — a measure criticized by some peace groups but lauded by other Obama backers.
McCain sided with the critics. "We're left to wonder how he can deny that the surge in Iraq has succeeded, while at the same time announcing that a surge is just what we need in Afghanistan. I'll leave all these questions for my opponent and his team of 300 foreign policy advisors to work out for themselves. With luck, they'll get their story straight by the time the Obama campaign returns to North America."
McCain spent his week conducting town hall meetings and giving speeches in swing states, stressing his energy program. He got cheers in some spots for championing offshore oil drilling, which Obama opposes.
In the radio address, McCain described his energy program at length, criticizing the Democratic-controlled Congress for not tackling the problems. "Nochallenge to our economy and security is more urgent," the senator said, and he pledged as that president, "We're going to get it done."
To hear the McCain radio address: http://www.johnmccain.com/downloads/weeklyaddress_072608.mp3