McCain defends Bush troop surge

John McCain has supported the new Bush plan for an escalation of troops to Iraq.

McCain has long been calling for more troops, saying that the reason for the delay in securing the peace was because the U.S did not have a large enough presence there.

However, late last year McCain suggested that the U.S would need to send 30,000 or more troops in order to have any effect, so it is unclear if he thinks 21,500 is enough.

Linking himself so closely with the war is a dangerous strategy for McCain, but one that he acknowledges. If this plan sinks, there is a good chance that the nomination of McCain might sink too.

The problem is of course, that the other leading contender for the GOP nomination, Rudy Giuliani, is also a supporter of the escalation plans.

In other news, there has also been speculation this week that a McCain for President ticket might include former Democrat and VP candidate, Joe Lieberman. McCain and Lieberman appeared together last week.