McCain: Obama would choose 'failure'

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Likely Republican presidential nominee John McCain said Saturday his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, would "choose the path of retreat and failure" in Iraq.

Addressing a Disabled American Veterans convention in Las Vegas, the Arizona senator said his Illinois counterpart lacks the judgment to be commander in chief, The Hill reported Saturday. McCain told his audience the 2007 U.S. troop surge was a success and reminded them that Obama has consistently opposed the surge.

"Even in retrospect, he would choose the path of retreat and failure for America over the path of success and victory," McCain said. "Behind all of these claims and positions by Sen. Obama lies the ambition to be president. What's missing is the judgment to be commander in chief."

McCain told the veterans he and Obama both want to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq.

"The great difference is that I intend to win it first," he said.

The Democratic National Committee did not immediately respond to a request from the Hill for a reaction to McCain's remarks.