McCain calls Iraq war a 'great tragedy,' decries troop withdrawal
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Republican presidential contender John McCain called the Iraq war ''a great tragedy'' on Thursday, yet still decried a timetable for a US withdrawal as the Senate voted to begin pulling out troops by Oct. 1.
''I'm aware of the patience of the American people. I read the polls. I'm not embarrassed to say that. I understand the frustration and sorrow that American people feel about this war. It's a great tragedy,'' said McCain, who missed the Senate vote on the bill containing the withdrawal timetable. Earlier in the day, he predicted that the consequences of U.S. withdrawal would be severe. (AP)
