enlarge John Patriquin/Staff Photographer

Former President George H.W. Bush escorts Sen. John McCain at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, where Bush hosted a fundraising reception Monday.

enlarge John Patriquin/Staff Photographer

Protesters march Monday outside The Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport before Republican Sen. John McCain’s fundraiser there. About 30 demonstrators participated, saying that McCain’s election would mean a continuation of Bush administration policies.

enlarge John Patriquin/ Staff Photographer

Sen. John McCain and former President George H.W. Bush talk to the press at Walker's Point on Monday.

enlarge John Patriquin/ Staff Photographer

Sen. John McCain visits former President George H.W. Bush at the Bush compound at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport on Monday.

 

SOUTH PORTLAND — U.S. Sen. John McCain declared the troop surge in Iraq a success during campaign and fundraising stops in Maine on Monday, and also chided Illinois Democratic Sen. Barack Obama for a lack of experience in national security and foreign policy.

The Arizona Republican, a former prisoner of war, reminded a crowd at the Maine Military Museum grounds that Obama opposed the troop surge last year and has yet to acknowledge that it has worked. He suggested that Obama's position reflects a lack of judgment and experience on national security.

"That's why I'm able to lead, and I don't need any on-the-job training," McCain said.

McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, would not set a timetable for troop withdrawal, saying the pace of reductions should be dictated by conditions on the ground.

"But they will come home with honor," he said of American forces. "They won't come home in defeat."

Several hundred people, including many military veterans, turned out for McCain's remarks in Mill Creek Park, near a small brick museum that houses a collection of POW memorabilia.

His public appearance followed a series of private fundraising events earlier in the day at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, the summer home of former President George H.W. Bush, and at The Nonantum Resort.

McCain also outlined his views on energy, health care and other issues during a bus ride to Kennebunkport with a group of reporters.

McCain's visit coincided with a high-profile trip to Iraq and Afghanistan by Obama, who is making his first overseas tour as the expected Democratic presidential nominee.

McCain noted that he supported the troop surge last year, even though the policy was widely criticized, and that many observers contended he would pay a political price for his decision.

"I'm proud that I was right," he said. "I'm proud that we could defeat this evil."

As the chants from a group of protesters drifted across the museum grounds, McCain acknowledged that Americans have sharply differing views on the war. But he said all citizens should be unified in support of U.S. troops, and that if he is elected president, he will always put the country first.

"I believe I can inspire a generation of Americans to serve a greater cause than their self-interests," he said.

About 30 demonstrators protested in Kennebunkport, saying that McCain's election would mean a continuation of Bush administration policies. Peace and labor activists and at least two vacationing families participated in the demonstration.

Dan Lawson, a papermaker at the Verso Paper mill in Bucksport, was protesting McCain's support of free-trade agreements, which he said are killing industry in the United States.

"Those jobs are for the middle class," said Lawson, vice president of Local 4-0026 of the United Steelworkers of America.

McCain also addressed energy policy during his afternoon appearance, saying it's imperative that the nation achieve energy independence. He said the solutions would involve alternatives to oil, such as solar, wind and tidal power – as well as the construction of 45 new nuclear power plants.

The disposal of spent nuclear fuel is a problem that has a solution, he said, noting that the French safely reprocess the fuel from their nuclear plants.

In his meeting with reporters, McCain said Congress must act decisively to protect Americans who face extremely high heating-oil costs in the coming winter. He said he would support tax incentives for weatherizing homes, but did not specifically commit to increasing funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Maine Democrats contend that McCain has a poor record on energy and economic issues, and pointed out that he has voted three times against measures that would increase funding for the home energy program.

"Having voted time and again to deny home...