Al-Qaida Web site supporting McCain

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A commentary on an al-Qaida-linked Web site says the U.S. financial crisis is proof that a strategy of damaging America's economy through war works.

The extremist Web site also showed support for presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., saying he would continue the "failing march of his predecessor," U.S. President George Bush, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

"Al-Qaida will have to support McCain in the coming election," read a commentary posted on the al-Hesbah Web site said.

The commentary credited al-Qaida with leading the U.S. government down a path that "exhausted its resources and bankrupted its economy," the Post reported. It also suggested a terrorist strike could move the election toward McCain.

"It will push the Americans deliberately to vote for McCain so that he takes revenge for them against al-Qaida," said the posting, attributed to Muhammad Haafid, a longtime contributor. "Al-Qaida then will succeed in exhausting America."

McCain foreign policy adviser Randy Scheunemann said al-Qaida leaders repeatedly said America "did not have the stomach to fight them over the long haul," which McCain has pledged to do.

"Whatever musings and bravado on radical Web sites The Washington Post chooses to quote, the fact remains that only John McCain has the experience, judgment and fortitude to lead a country at war," he said.