McCain slams Obama on security

John McCain assailed Democratic rival Barack Obama today as naive about the world and its dangers -- and more confident in himself than his country.

The presumptive Republican nominee, in a speech to the American Legion national convention in Phoenix, says that "in times of trouble, free nations of the world still look to America for leadership, because they know the strength of America remains the greatest force for good on this earth."

"My opponent had the chance to express such confidence in America, when he delivered a much anticipated address in Berlin," McCain says about Obama, according to excerpts released by his campaign. "He was the picture of confidence, in some ways. But confidence in oneself and confidence in one’s country are not the same. And in that speech, Senator Obama left an important point unclear. He suggested that the end of the Cold War proved that there was, quote, 'no challenge too great for a world that stands as one.' Now I missed a few years of the Cold War, as the guest of one of our adversaries, but as I recall the world was deeply divided during the Cold War -- between the side of freedom and the side of tyranny. The Cold War ended not because the world stood 'as one,' but because the great democracies came together, bound together by sustained and decisive American leadership."

"All of this is more than an academic debate," McCain continues. "For the sake of our own security, and the defense of our values in the affairs of the world, American leadership is critical. While we have our share of critics around the world, when people in the oppressed nations of the world need support, and solidarity, and hope, they look to America. When they talk about our country, it is not with distrust or disdain, but with respect and affection. They do not resent or resist America’s democratic influence in the world – they thank God for it."

The Arizona senator also plans to hit Obama over a remark he made last week about the Russian invasion of Georgia. Obama said, “We’ve got to send a clear message to Russia and unify our allies. They can’t charge into other countries. Of course it helps if we are leading by example on that point.”

"I guess we are left to figure out the rest for ourselves," said McCain, who has been harder-line on responding to Russia. "It’s unlikely he was alluding to Afghanistan, the nation we liberated after 9/11, and continue to help despite Russian complaints about our related deployments in Central Asia. And he probably didn’t have Kosovo in mind either -- although Russia didn’t care much for that military action, either. We and our NATO allies had to end the Serbian slaughter of civilians in Kosovo without UN approval, because the Russians blocked the effort in the Security Council.

"If I catch Senator Obama’s drift, then, our failure to “lead by example” was the liberation of Iraq. And if he really thinks that, by liberating Iraq from a dangerous tyrant, America somehow set a bad example that invited Russia to invade a small, peaceful, and democratic nation, then he should state it outright – because that is a debate I welcome."

UPDATE: Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan responded to McCain's speech, "The 'confusion' here is between John McCain rhetoric that no one's love of country should be questioned and the reality of his campaign's daily, false, personal and detestable attacks on Senator Obama. But it's not a surprising tactic from John McCain who is offering four more years of Karl Rove’s playbook to distract from his plan for four more years of George Bush’s failed policies which have left America far less secure and shredded our alliances in the world. In contrast, Barack Obama has called for strong American leadership and renewing strong alliances to finish the fight against al Qaeda and press Russia to live up to its obligations.”