McCain: 'Partisanship' behind war powers push (McCain attacks Republicans)

McCain:

'Partisanship' behind war powers push (McCain attacks Republicans): "Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) warns his Republican colleagues on Sunday to not push against U.S. involvement in Libya for partisan gain.

Republicans on Capitol Hill have been pressuring the White House to come to Congress to seek authorization of ongoing air strikes in Libya. And House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has warned that if President Barack Obama did not seek congressional approval, the president would be in violation of the War Powers Act.

McCain, though, suggested during an interview aired Sunday on ABC's 'This Week' that the GOP's complaints have little to do with concerns over balance of powers in Washington and are more centered on immediate political gain.

'I would say to my Republican friends, if this were a Republican president, would you be trying to impose these same conditions?' McCain asked. 'I caution my friends, both here in the Senate and in the House of Representatives, that we don't want to do anything or pass legislation which would encourage [Libyan leader Muammar] Gadhafi to remain in power.'

McCain conceded that there is a degree of 'war wariness' that is motivating Republicans, but also said there is 'a bit of partisanship' behind the war powers push."