Republican Sen. John McCain, a staunch defender of the Iraq war, on Tuesday faulted the Bush administration for misleading Americans into believing the conflict would be “some kind of day at the beach.”

Ignoring the fact that you may be for or against the war, McCain, as the article says, was once a staunch defender of the Iraq war policy. Now we learn that he has John Kerry’d his position. Is it a waste of time to say political posturing? I have often felt that McCain the maverick could be considered McCain the waffler. I think this will hurt McCain in the long run.

The reason I say that is because McCain has been on record defending the Iraq war time and time again. One will only need to do a small web search to pull up statements and media appearances where McCain has defended Bush and Iraq as part of the war on terror.

I would honestly think the “support Bush” McCain would have a better chance than the “Bush misled” McCain. At minimum, he would look more grounded in principle and not so “I did vote for the 87 billion before I voted against it.”

The potential 2008 presidential candidate, who a day earlier had rejected calls for withdrawing U.S. forces, said the administration had failed to make clear the challenges facing the military.

It’s just a strong 180 for the senator. Some may say he is being courageous (sure) by changing his position. Others, myself included, would simply see McCain as swaying in the political wind.

Story here from Forbes