Obama Still Opposes Troop Surge

July 21, 2008— -- Barack Obama told ABC News' Terry Moran today in Baghdad that he still opposes the troop surge in Iraq and said that he was "absolutely convinced" at the time last year that the political debate on the issue had to change.

While Obama was meeting with Iraq's political leadership and U.S. military commanders including Gen. David Petraeus, John McCain campaigned in Maine and issued a strong criticism of the presumptive Democratic nominee's positions on Iraq.

McCain's plan for the week is to focus on domestic issues like the economy and energy but he spent part of his day pushing back on Obama's trip and hammering Obama, "someone who has no military experience whatsoever," as wrong on Iraq and the troop surge.

"He said it would fail and he refuses to this day to acknowledge it's succeeded. And my friends that's what judgment is about," McCain said. "That's why I'm qualified to lead and I don't need any on the job training."

Tivo Alert! Moran's interview with Obama will air tonight on Nightline.

Obama continues his overseas jaunt and heads to Amman Jordan tomorrow where he will meet with King Abdullah. The presumptive Democratic nominee will also hold a media availability in Amman. His traveling companions, Sens Jack Reed and Chuck Hagel, will join him when he takes questions from the press.

McCain will hit up several battleground states week to continue the domestic policy focus -- but how many questions will he get related to Obama's trip? On Tuesday, McCain holds a town hall in Rochester, NH and will talk about the economy and energy.

Today the McCain campaign released a new ad hitting Obama hard on gas prices. ABC News' Jennifer Duck reports that the ad criticizes Obama for not supporting offshore drilling and blames Obama for rising prices at the pump.

Per Duck, in the ad, a gas pump ticks up rising into the $5.00 range, a narrator asks "Who can you thank for rising prices at the pump?"  Cue a photo of Obama next a picture of a gas pump and a crowd chanting, "Obama, Obama." The tag line:"Don't hope for more energy. Vote for it. McCain."

Per the McCain campaign, the ad will be cycled into their current buy on national cable and in key battleground states (Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin).

The McCain campaign is trying to cut through the media hoopla surrounding the Obama trip overseas by reaching out to local press and offering an op-ed to the New York Times, following up on Obama's last week. ABC News' Rick Klein and Sara Just report that the Times rejected McCain's piece on Friday night and asked for a rewrite to "respond directly to some of the claims in the Obama piece, and include an outline of the Republican's timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq and conditions for withdrawal."

On the campaign front. . .

JOHN MCCAIN

-- 9:15 am ET: Radio interview.

-- 10:00 am ET: Attends meeting with Union Leader publisher Joe McQuaid.

-- 12:00 pm ET: Attends town hall event with voters, Rochester, NH.

-- 3:20 pm ET: Attends meeting with NH convention delegation.

-- 5:30 pm ET: Attends private fundraiser, Baltimore, MD.

BARACK OBAMA

-- Amman, Jordan.

At the White House. . .

PRESIDENT BUSH

-- 1:30 pm ET: Attends White House event in Honor of Colombian Independence Day.

-- 5:05 pm ET: Attends a private fundraising event, Atlanta, GA.

POLITICAL NEWS STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM

ABC News' Terry Moran: McCain Challenges Obama to See Success of Surge in Iraq LINK

ABC News' Tahman Bradley: McCain Camp: Obama 'Wrong' on Iraq LINK

ABC News' Rick Klein: Lieberman to Speak Before Hagee Group LINK

ABC News' Jake Tapper: Photos of Obama in Iraq LINK

ABC News' Matt Jaffe: Bush Welcomes Olympians to the White House LINK

ABC's Rick Klein and Sara Just: McCain OpEd Not Up to NY Times' Snuff LINK

POLITICAL VIDEO ON ABCNEWS.COM

McCain Visits Bush 41, Attacks Obama

Flanked by the fmr. president, McCain discusses the success of the Iraq surge. LINK

Barack in Iraq

Presidential Candidates spar on surge success stances. LINK

McCain, Giuliani Yuk it Up at Yankees Game

John McCain and Rudy Giuliani enjoy front row seats at Sunday's NY Yankees game. LINK

'View' Fight Over McCain's Jokes

Joy and Elisabeth disagree about the Arizona senator's history of humor. LINK

Obama Meets With Iraqi PM

Presidential hopeful sits down with Nouri al-Maliki and visits U.S. troops. LINK

Obama Overseas

The Democratic candidate makes stops in Iraq and Afghanistan. LINK

Rice: Iran 'Not Serious' on Nuke Talks

Iran has two weeks to stop suspect activities or possibly face new sanctions. LINKhttp://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5415608

McCain: Obama 'Wrong' About Surge

The GOP presidential contender weighs in on rival's Iraq visit. LINK

Obama in Iraq

The presidential candidate makes his second trip to Iraq. LINK

Obama Meets with Afghan President

The senator says focusing on Iraq was one of Bush's "biggest mistakes." LINK

Obama Nails a 3-Pointer

While in Kuwait, Democratic nominee showed the troops his b-ball skills. LINK

Stabilizing Iraq

Further progress in Iraq may now be a political matter, not a military one. LINK

Obama, McCain and the Middle East

Both candidates may have to reassess their foreign policy strategies. LINK

A Word About the Candidates

Time magazine's Mark Halperin discusses the 2008 presidential race. LINK

Talking With Iran

A U.S. diplomat joined talks on Iran's nuclear program. LINK