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Article: McCain, Obama campaigns squabble over GOP candidate's number on US troops in Iraq
- Article from:
- AP Worldstream
- Article date:
- May 30, 2008
- Author:
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Republican John McCain's estimate of U.S. troop levels in Iraq touched off a firestorm between his campaign and Democrat Barack Obama's campaign on Friday, the latest turn in the rivals' escalating disagreement over the war.
The likely Republican presidential nominee told an audience Thursday: "We have drawn down to presurge levels. Basra, Mosul and now Sadr City are quiet."
In fact, U.S. troop levels are not yet down to levels before President George W. Bush's troop increase last year, a move that McCain endorsed.
There were 15 combat brigades in Iraq before the increase began. Five were added, and the United States has been reducing numbers since December. ...