By Jim Malone
Washington
Republican presidential contender John McCain intends to focus on domestic economic issues this week while his Democratic opponent, Senator Barack Obama, continues his tour of the Middle East and Europe. But on Monday, McCain was quick to respond to Obama’s meeting in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone has more from Washington.
Senator McCain met with former President George H.W. Bush at Mr. Bush’s summer home on the Maine coast.
Afterward, McCain was asked about Senator Obama’s visit to Iraq and about a comment from an Iraqi government spokesman who said his country hopes all U.S. troops would withdraw from Iraq by 2010. That timeline roughly coincides with Obama’s pledge to withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office.