McCain responds to smear ads

COLUMBIA, S.C., Jan. 17 (UPI) -- GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., responded quickly to smear tactics used by his critics ahead of Saturday's primary in South Carolina.

The group Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain issued fliers condemning McCain's behavior while a POW in Vietnam and the group Common Sense Issues initiated automated phone calls saying McCain "has voted to use unborn babies in medical research."

McCain said these tactics hurt his feelings and his campaign during his 2000 presidential bid but this time he is deploying a "Truth Squad" to counter the smear tactics, The New York Times said Thursday.

McCain's South Carolina consultant Trey Walker said of the Truth Squad that "If we get an indication there's an early launch (of attacks), we have certain detection devices out there, we'll respond."

"We hear that phone calls are being made," McCain told reporters Wednesday. "We will not let it go this time."