John McCain said today any premature withdrawal from Iraq would result in a new American policy that would entail an eventual "re-invasion."

In a visit to the National World War I Museum at the Liberty Memorial, the Arizona senator again suggested that proposals to withdraw are "hasty, reckless and irresponsible" and amount to a failure of leadership.

UPDATED 1:45 p.m.: Video here. 

UPDATED (1:25 p.m.) with comments from Obama

McCain objected to withdrawal calls from both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, saying, "We must put the nation's interests before our own ambitions" and "Doing the right thing in the heat of a political campaign is not always the easiest thing."

In a statement, Obama responded using McCain's own words, "It's a failure of leadership to support an open-ended occupation of Iraq that has failed to press Iraq's leaders to reconcile, badly overstretched our military, put a strain on our military families, set back our ability to lead the world, and made the American people less safe."

But in his 27-minute address, McCain said those who advocate ending America's involvement in Iraq are in reality calling for a new policy of withdrawal and "re-invade."

"For if we withdraw hastily and irresponsibly, we will guarantee the trouble will come immediately.

"Our allies, Arab countries, the UN and the Iraqis themselves will not step up to their responsibilities if we recklessly retreat. I can hardly imagine a more imprudent and dangerous course."

A peaceful, stable Iraq, he added, offers the U.S. new possibilities in the Mideast. "If we seize the opportunity before us, we stand to gain a strong, stable democratic ally against terrorism and a strong ally against an aggressive and radical Iran," he said.

Success, McCain said, has never seen more likely.

"There is no doubt about the basic reality in Iraq," he said, pounding his fingers on the podium. "We are no longer staring into the abyss of defeat, and we can now look ahead to the genuine prospect of success."

McCain said little about the recent fighting in southern Iraq where government security forces struggled. 

McCain also was to swing by the Kansas City Club for a noon fund-raiser before leaving town. Recent polls show McCain climbing in support against Obama and Clinton.

Also in town this morning: Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, who was raising money for Barack Obama at a pair of private fund-raisers.