Pat Dollard | Young Americans

Politico:

Virtually assured of the Republican presidential nomination, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) Sunday began drawing battle lines with prospective Democratic opponents, highlighting “profound and significant philosophical differences” on a range of policy and process issues.

Appearing on ABC’s “This Week,” McCain criticized both Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) for their use of earmarks, accused them of downplaying improvements on the ground in Iraq and criticized their health care proposals.

The Arizona senator also drew a sharp contrast over the slumping housing market, saying that he would only help “legitimate buyers,” unlike his Democratic opponents who have both unveiled comprehensive plans to help all struggling homeowners.

“I don’t want to reward people who engaged in speculation,” said McCain. “And I certainly don’t want to reward institutions that engaged in the practice of lending to people that couldn’t afford to pay.”

McCain also admitted he has “a lot of work to do to unite the party,” following a divisive Republican primary process in which his rivals questioned his conservative bona fides over immigration and other issues.

“This is going to be an uphill battle all the way,” said McCain in response to a question about “the enthusiasm gap” between the two parties. “But I can out-campaign them and out-debate them and outperform them.”