McCain not changing stance on Iraq war

SALT LAKE CITY, March 3 (UPI) -- Arizona Sen. John McCain, on the campaign trail in Utah, said he will not alter his stance on the Iraq war and still supports sending additional troops.

The Salt Lake City Tribune reported the Republican presidential contender said Friday that while most U.S. citizens do not support an increased military presence in Iraq, he would maintain his controversial stance despite its effect on his electoral campaign.

While McCain's pro-war stance has led to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani overtaking him as the top Republican candidate in a recent poll, the Arizona senator said he is steadfast in his position.

"I still believe we can succeed," he said. "We have the right general; we have the right plan."

The paper said that despite his marked fall from being the former front-runner for the Republican nomination, McCain downplayed that risk in comparison to that of U.S. troops in Iraq.

"Any political ambition I might have is negligent compared to what has already been sacrificed and is being risked by young Americans," McCain said. "So any impact it might have on my political ambitions I'm not concerned about."