McCain, Romney spar over Iraq

ORLANDO — John McCain accused Mitt Romney of wanting to set a timetable to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, drawing immediate protest from his Republican presidential rival who said: “That’s simply wrong and it’s dishonest, and he should apologize.”

The heated exchange underscored the growing intensity of the GOP race ahead of the state’s pivotal primary. A fairly civil debate over economic records and leadership credentials spiraled into an all-out showdown as the two campaigned along the state’s southwest coast.

McCain struck on another front Saturday night when he received the endorsement of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. GOP Sen. Mel Martinez threw his support to McCain on Friday.

Polls show McCain and Romney locked in a tight fight for the lead in a state that offers the winner a hefty 57 delegates to the GOP’s nominating convention next summer and a shot of energy heading into a virtual national primary on Feb. 5.

In Orlando, Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor trailing in polls and trying to climb his way back into the leaders pack, sought to take the high road. “If you listen to my opponents, it’s getting kind of nasty,” Giuliani said in Orlando. “I’m going to try to remain positive.”

With economic troubles dominating the race, McCain opened the new line of criticism against Romney at his first event of the day in Fort Myers, Fla., and sought to shift the campaign back to his strength, national security and away from Romney’s, the economy.

First, he slapped at Romney without naming him during a question-and-answer session with Floridians, saying: “Now, one of my opponents wanted to set a date for withdrawal that would have meant disaster.”

Minutes later to reporters, the Arizona senator was more direct: “If we surrender and wave a white flag, like Senator Clinton wants to do, and withdraw, as Governor Romney wanted to do, then there will be chaos, genocide and the cost of American blood and treasure would be dramatically higher.”