“Senator Obama talks about the costs of the war in Iraq — despite our increasing success — but refuses to address the catastrophic costs that would result from precipitous withdrawal and defeat in Iraq. Surrender and defeat in Iraq will ultimately cost far more in lives and treasure than will continued success and achieving victory with honor.”

–Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), in a statement today responding to Sen. Barack Obama’s comments on Iraq in Tuesday night’s Democratic debate.

“John McCain may like to say he wants to follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell, but so far, all he’s done is follow George Bush into a messianic war in Iraq that has cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars and that I intend to bring to an end.”

–Obama, at a campaign even in Columbus, Ohio, in response to McCain’s attack.