McCain: War stance not hurting campaign

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - Arizona Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) says only Washington insiders believe his 2008 presidential campaign may be suffering because he supports President Bush's decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

"Well, I think there's that, maybe, perception inside the Beltway. But outside, a lot of Republicans are rallying to this belief that we need to have a strategy that can win, and realize the consequences of failure," McCain said Sunday.

"Many people trust my judgment because they've known me for many years," he said. "Looks, it's of secondary importance, but I think we're doing just fine, and I think polls indicate that."

McCain pledged to respond to any negative attacks against him during the race.

"Obviously, I would do so, but I hope we would do so in an honorable fashion," he said. "We will run an honorable campaign. Most people believe that, and I do, too. I'm committed to it."

Voters swept Republicans from Capitol Hill control in November's elections, but McCain said the GOP is best aligned with the nation's core beliefs.

"We're still a right-of-center party. This nation is still a right-of-center nation. And I believe the Democrats are the left-of-center party. So, do we need to make significant adjustments, learn the lessons of the 2006 election? Absolutely."

McCain appeared on "This Week" on ABC.

___

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Chuck Hagel (news, bio, voting record), a possible White House hopeful in 2008, says don't consider him an anti-war candidate if he does run.

The Nebraska Republican, a Vietnam veteran, has criticized President Bush's troop increase plan for Iraq as "the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam."

Hagel is one of five GOP senators who so far are backing a resolution by Sen. John Warner (news, bio, voting record), R-Va., that would put the Senate on record as opposing Bush's plan.

"Every member of the Congress should be engaged here and their people that they represent should know where they stand," Hagel said Sunday. "If they want to continue to send young men and women to fight and die in Iraq, then they should step forward and explain that position and why. If they don't, explain that.

"But to have a different position than the president's on a war doesn't qualify anyone to be an anti-war candidate," he said.

As for 2008, Hagel said he will make that decision "as time develops."

The senator was on "This Week" on ABC.

___

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ralph Nader is not ready to close the door on another presidential run.

"It's really too early to say," he said Sunday. "I don't like long campaigns. But I'm committed to trying to give more voices and choices to the American people on the ballot. That means more third parties, independent candidates and to break up this two-party elected dictatorship that is becoming more and more like a dial for the same corporate dollars."

In 2000, Nader got 2.7 percent of the votes in the general election. Democrats say he siphoned votes from the party's nominee, Al Gore, in Florida, New Hampshire and elsewhere, giving the election to Republican George W. Bush. In 2004, Nader was much less of a factor.

"I'll consider it later in the year," Nader said.

He spoke on "Late Edition" on CNN.

___

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack says he is not worried about raising presidential campaign money in a crowded Democratic field.

"The money is going to come as this campaign continues, as people see the positions I take. I have no question about that. It has always come. It isn't always money, especially in Iowa. It's about organization," he said Sunday.

Vilsack raised more than $1.1 million in the last seven weeks of 2006, putting him far behind some of his rivals. For example, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York has more than $14 million in the bank from her Senate campaign and she can use that money for a White House bid.

Vilsack is portraying himself as "the true outsider in this race. I've governed effectively."

"I've been able, as a Democrat, to turn a red state to blue. You can't govern unless you win. And it's important and necessary for us to remember the lessons of history. Americans want outsiders," he said. "It distinguishes me from everyone."

Vilsack appeared on "Late Edition" on CNN.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070204/ap_on_el_pr/on_the2008_trail [link]