While national polls show him running nearly even or slightly ahead against both Democratic hopefuls — Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton — McCain sought Wednesday to inoculate himself against criticism that he would continue the policies of President George W. Bush, a fellow Republican who is unpopular with American voters.

“Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed,” said McCain, who had just returned from a trip to the Middle East and Europe. “We need to listen to the views and respect the collective will of our democratic allies.”

While calling for greater collegiality with U.S. allies, the Arizona senator ignored historic opposition by many traditional American friends to the invasion of Iraq, which McCain backed.

Instead he warned that Obama and Clinton pledges to withdraw U.S. forces would result in an “unconscionable act of betrayal, a stain on our character as a great nation.”

Clinton responded quickly.

“While there is much to praise in Senator McCain’s speech, he and I continue to have a fundamental disagreement on Iraq. Like President Bush, Senator McCain continues to oppose a swift and responsible withdrawal from Iraq,” she said in a statement.

Obama was asked Wednesday how his religious faith played out in political life. He answered extensively and returned without prompting to the furor over incendiary remarks by his former pastor.

“We cannot solve the problems of America if, every time somebody somewhere says something stupid, that everybody gets up in arms and we forget about the war in Iraq, or we forget about the economy, or we forget about the things that are going to make a difference in our children’s lives. I don’t want that kind of politics. I want a politics that gets stuff done,” he said.

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