McCain is not "flip-flopping" on Rumsfeld. He has been harshly critical of the failed Defense Secretary--and justifiably so--for years.

Gus, Marietta, USA - GA

McCain is an honorable and courageous man, and would be an excellent choice for president. He knows firsthand how horrible war is, and yet understands something we in the west will not honestly face: Islamic fascism must be faced down and defeated, and defeated soundly. Muslims must be given the chance to be educated and integrated into the 21st century. It is not an easy or pretty task, and he is one of the few up to it.

Dan Truitt, Thessaloniki, Greece

McCain has been very consistent with his views on the war. I believe in a lot of ways he and Rumsfeld are cut from the same cloth. Neither individual should be taken lightly.

If one believes that the main advice for troop limitations has always come from the military, then Bush and Rumsfeld have done what should have been done to this point in time. Remember Vietnam-the civilian leadership knew best; as a result 55,000 US military were killed and the US media won.

Keep an eye on Congressman Duncan Hunter. He could be the dark horse in 2008 election.

gtaz, Indianapolis, USA/IN

How amusing to watch the Republican presidential candidates shimmy and waffle and flip-flop(or should I say flim-flam?) tyring to find their "base". The MSM has completely bought in to this ridiculous notion of "bases".
When will they grow up and make the candidates clarify their CONVICTIONS and stand behind them win or lose?

Craig Millett, Kalaheo, USA/Hawaii

I am certainly no GOP insider out here in the heartland, but MANY Republicans are not fooled by McCain, Sen. Hagel has MUCH more gravitas in their view....the war is not gonna look good smeared all over McCains' face. Neither is the blood of 3,100 young Americans NOT born to the purple like McCain THINKS he was.

Hub Galliker, Warren, Michigan

McCain is continuing to be consistent on this issue. I disagree with many of his comments but he can not be faulted for inconsistency here. Marjorie of Pembroke is obviously a Democrat as they wouldn't be able to understand consistency if they were able to read it in Webster's Dictionary.

Wright, Colorado Springs, USA/CO.

give McCain a break. there is nothing in this article that points to him being a 'flip-flopper.' The media and liberals who love(d) McCain turned a blind eye to the fact that he has had a pretty solid conservative record over his tenure in the Senate. You just chose to ignore it in 2000 because he was a fresh face that stuck it to the GOP on a few key issues (global waming, campaign finance, amongst a few others).
McCain does not want a repeat of 2000. I can't blame him. He has to run further to the right then he did in 2000. It's his only chance. I am somewhat dissapointed that he isn't sticking to his guns more but thats only out of neccesity. I don't doubt that the same Maverick is still there.
Just wait for the General Election, he will move back towards the center.
Let's remember: he has been the numero 1 guy on global warming for years, an issue that will prob. be at the forefront of the upcoming election. An unpopular position that has caused him disdain amongst conservatives.

Justin, Baltimore, Maryland

John McCain will not be the nominee of our Republican Party. He has to much baggage going back to 2000. The surrender party and the clueless left will have to worry about Rudi.

HARLIN J HENDRICKS, Tulsa , USA OK

It saddens me that NO ONE--Republican or Democrat--can offer a rational solution to the Iraq War and its shadow, the War on Terror.

Hamas, bin Laden, the Iranian nutcakes (no, not yellow cakes), and their ilk are not reasonable people with whom civilized people can negotiate.

So, just what is the civilized world to do in order to survive. Hillary, Barak, John E, Rudy, John Mc, Mitt...none of them have put forth any concept that will ensure our survival and success.

We should ask George (not "W" for heaven's sake!), but General Patton is no longer with us. He would know what to do. If Rumsfeld does go down as "the worst" SecDef, it may be due to the fact that key military decisions were made on a political basis, just like Viet Nam.

Bruce, Thousand Oaks, CA - USS

One of McCain's distinguishing virtues is honesty. But to call Rumsfeld "one of the worst defense secretaries in history" is preposterous. It is a transparent pandering to antiwar sentiment, and deeply dishonest. McCain is misreading the tealeaves if he thinks such outrageous attacks will earn the trust of conservatives.

Jay, Lakewood, Ohio, USA

McCain has destroyed his own credibility in his ongoing effort to just curry favor with Republican elements who neither like nor trust him. And after 8 years of Bush the American people could well be branded masochists for handing the presidency to yet another Republican hawk-- or even just another Republican. So farewll, Johnnie, we hardly knew ye. But we knew enough to turn you down.

Valerie Sanford, Los Angeles, Calif., USA

I'm a Giuliani supporter, and I don't like that McCain is so tough on Rumsfeld (I mean, Rumsfeld made mistakes, but who's fought a war like this before?); however, McCain seems to be positioned well for 08. After all, he called for more troops from the beginning; so, even if things don't turn around, he still looks vindicated (since the surge is much smaller than what he called for), unlike the Democrats, who look vinidicated... AND defeatist. And, of course, if the surge works, McCain looks vindicated again.

tofo, new york, NY

Well Marge, McCain simply wishes to win the war.

The flip-flopping is left to the democrats who overwhelmingly voted to attack Iraq, and now tether their political hopes and aspirations to additional US coffins, and a loss caused from resources they will withhold. History doesn't speak of victories won by politicians refusing re-enforcements .

gjd, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Not since Bob Dole have we see a Republican hopeful that is so willing to be anything and/or everything to the minorities that make up the Republican Party. They may be a "majority" of the party but definitely a minority among the general American population.

Linda, Santa Fe, USA

McCain has never flipped on Iraq - in fact, he was the first and only cat aside from Dr Rice, to term Iraq a "...generational commitment..."

McCain has always wanted a bigger military footprint in Iraq, he was disturbed that America didn't take up Israel and Jordan's offer to transport the 4th Inf division through their turf in time to take part in the invasion, and he has longed suspected the murderous mullahs' in Iran of being neck deep in hankey pankey in Iraq.

McCain certaily flips on other things - but be fair - NOT Iraq.

courtney, chattanooga, TN, USA

As a Republican and a veteran, I am deeply disappointed in both Senator McCain and the GOP. In my estimation, the Party has failed to exercise an ability to competently lead from the Executive Branch and question and provide proper oversight in the Legislative Branch. It will be very difficult for me to support any Republican this time around. Such is the Bush legacy.

CLG, Whittier, California

I would contend that Rumsfeld in #2. Robert McNamara did far more damage to America and Americans than Rumsfeld has. McNamara even admitted, years before the war ended, that it was a no win situation, yet he continued to supply troops.

DJ Martin, Topeka, KS

McCain has trapped himself into the same Stay the Course Strategy used by the Whitehouse. How sad to see a once much admired hero selll his soul for political ambition. Why not choose to be an honorable elder statement with the good of his country at heart.

Ann M Narr, Middleboro, MA

Sen. McCain built up an image of statesmanship and bipartisan compromise. Now Candidate McCain feels it necessary to demolish his winning image.

El Alacran, Lubbock, Texas, USA

McCain is the biggest "flip-flopper" and hypocrite among the Republican hopefuls. He is giving presidential contender, Mitt Romney, a run for his money when it comes to flip-flopping. Hence, should he be renamed "Senator McContradiction"?

Marjorie, Pembroke Pines, USA - Florida

McCain has picked the wrong side of the Iraq war debate. He's guilty by association and as this war heads towards the inevitable defeat he too will be a loser.

F.S.SUMMERS, N.Y.,