An interesting dynamic in the Presidential race: John McCain and John Edwards now are quite transparently attacking each other in order to appeal to their respective bases. Two days ago, Edwards hit McCain's stance on the war, saying that "the people playing politics with Iraq are Senator McCain and President Bush, and they should be ashamed of themselves" — language clearly designed to appeal to antiwar Dem primary voters who dislike McCain.

Now McCain has just fired back at Edwards via his spokesman, Danny Diaz — and also in terms designed to link an attack on the individual to their party as a whole. "If John Edwards believes America can't win the war in Iraq, he should convince his Democratic counterparts, including Sens. Obama and Clinton to immediately cut off funding for the war and bring the troops home," Diaz said. The use of the familiar talking points that Dems should either cut funding or pipe down is just as transparently designed to appeal to the GOP base voters McCain has been struggling to connect with of late.

Update: John Edwards' camp has just put out a press release striking back at McCain:

THE SURGE HAS FAILED

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Senator John Edwards released the following statement today in response to criticism from the McCain campaign about his policy on ending the war in Iraq.

"The McCain Doctrine of escalation has failed, and the bombing of the Iraqi embassy within the green zone makes that all too clear.

"John McCain is just wrong; it is time for America to start leaving Iraq.

"But he's right about one thing - Congress should use its funding authority to end this war and bring our troops home."