As the toll from violence increases, Republican senator and presidential hopeful John McCain is in Iraq, where he criticized the media for ignoring what he called progress there. McCain spoke after taking a brief walking tour through a section of Baghdad.

Sen. John McCain: “We read every day about suicide bombings, kidnappings, rocket attacks and other terrible acts. And I’m not saying that mission is accomplished, or last throes, or a few dead-enders. But what we don’t read about every day, and what is new since the surge began, is a lot of the good news.”

McCain went on to say his visit to Baghdad is proof Iraq is getting safer, saying: “Never have I been able go out into the city as I was today.” He was accompanied by 100 American troops, three Blackhawk helicopters and two gunships. McCain also wore a bullet-proof vest. Meanwhile in the United States, Democratic Congressmember Charles Rangel defended the Democratic measure to provide further war funding while calling for a withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Rep. Charles Rangel: “Ultimately, politically, we have to give him money. But we will constantly remind him that no president in these great United States can continue a war that the people do not support. It’s not going to happen. So as long as he sends back bills, we got to send him back bills.”