Democrats blast McCain on Iraq comment

WASHINGTON, June 11 (UPI) -- Democrats criticized presumptive GOP U.S. presidential nominee John McCain Wednesday for saying it's "not too important" when U.S. troops return from Iraq.

McCain's campaign responded that his remark was taken out of context, The Politico, a political Web site, said.

In January, McCain said U.S. troops in non-combat roles may be in Iraq for 100 years. However, when asked on NBC's "Today" show Wednesday if he had a better withdrawal estimate because the surge strategy, McCain said, "No, but that's not too important.

"What's important is the casualties in Iraq. ... American casualties and the ability to withdraw -- we will be able to withdraw. ... But the key to it is we don't want any more Americans in harm's way."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said "McCain's statement that withdrawing troops doesn't matter is a crystal clear indicator that he just doesn't get the grave national security consequences of staying the course ... ."

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in a conference call with likely Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said McCain's remark was "unbelievably out of touch with the needs and concerns of most Americans," The Politico reported.

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said the Obama campaign was attacking the Arizona Republican "to hide their own candidate's willingness to disregard facts on the ground in pursuit of withdrawal no matter what the costs."