Steele defends McCain's "100 years" comment

Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele appeared on National Public Radio last week to analyze the 2008 presidential race and the candidates’ positions on the war in Iraq and solving the economic crisis.

On the heels of Sen. John McCain’s economic address, Steele acknowledged that the American economy is currently in a "recession" while discussing the positive aspects Republican nominee’s plan. He also defended McCain for saying that the United States might be occupying Iraq for “100 years.”

“Let’s put this ‘100 year’ comment into context,” Steele said, “because the Dems love using that line as a throwaway. The reality of it is 60 years after World War II, we’re still there. 50 years after Korea we’re still there…. I think what John McCain is saying is to be realistic, particularly in this region of the world, given the hostile territory that it is.”

“You cannot think that you’re just going to walk away from the Middle East – you’re just going to walk away from Iraq – and not have some type of presence there on the ground.”

He concluded, “It’s just a realistic assessment of one of the things the United States is going to have to make a judgment call about.”

Joining Steele was Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, who helped direct Fourth District Democrat Donna Edwards to a primary victory over incumbent Rep. Al Wynn in February.

Listen to the interview here.