McCain: 'Americans should argue about this war'

[Barrett808]

McCain: 'Americans should argue about this war'
Senator urges debate on Iraq in address at Falwell school
Saturday, May 13, 2006; Posted: 2:54 p.m. EDT (18:54 GMT)

LYNCHBURG, Virginia (CNN) -- Sen. John McCain on Saturday said Americans should argue about the war in Iraq.

The Republican senator from Arizona weighed in the conflict that has killed more than 2,400 U.S. troops in a commencement address at Liberty University, the school founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

As a candidate in the 2000 presidential race, McCain had lambasted Falwell as an agent of intolerance. The former Vietnam prisoner of war, a potential presidential hopeful in 2008, has put aside his differences with the minister, who has large following among Christian conservatives.

"Americans should argue about this war," McCain said. While he defended his support of the Iraq invasion, he said people must engage in debate on the subject.

"If an American feels the decision was unwise, then they should state their opposition and argue for another course. It is your right and your obligation. I respect you for it. I would not respect you if you chose to ignore such an important responsibility.

"But I ask that you consider the possibility that I, too, am trying to meet my responsibilities, to follow my conscience, to do my duty as best as I can, as God has given me light to see that duty."

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http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/13/mccain.address/index.html