Edwards has been hammering home the phrase in recent weeks to describe an increase in U.S. troops in Iraq, and did so again on ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" Sunday.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who has long proposed a "surge" in troops, for the moment in the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, and Edwards appeared to be trying to ding his popularity.

Edwards has said the United States should begin to withdraw 40,000 to 50,000 troops, but conceded Sunday President Bush is unlikely to take his advice. "He never has and he's continuing on the wrong course," Edwards said.

The former senator, who appeared along with his wife Elizabeth, also said Americans will have to sacrifice to make the country energy independent.