Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have traded furious foreign policy barbs, in a three-way row over how to deal with Iran, originally sparked by President George W Bush.
Senator Obama, the Democratic presidential frontrunner, said he was ready to do battle at any time and at any place on the foreign policy records of President Bush and Senator McCain, the Republican presumptive nominee.
The row was ignited by President Bush when he implied in a speech in Israel that Democrats want to appease terrorists.
But Barack Obama said 'the American people have had enough of the division and the bluster.'
He argued that President Bush's policy of not talking to Tehran had been a complete failure that Senator McCain wanted to prolong.
The quarrel was an early preview of the foreign policy spats likely to mark a potential general election campaign between Barack Obama, the Illinois senator who has an overwhelming lead over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic race, and John McCain.
Senator Obama also said that George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for.
He portrayed US Iraq policy as disastrous, and he noted that Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden was still at large.
He also accused Senator McCain of misrepresenting his stance towards Hamas.
He said the Arizona senator had gone back on his own earlier comments that the United States would eventually have to talk to the militant Palestinian group.
Senator McCain hit back personally during a speech to the powerful gun lobby in Kentucky, saying Senator Obama's offer to speak to Iran raised questions about his qualifications.
He said it is reckless to suggest that unconditional meetings will advance US interests.
He added that the American people have every reason to doubt whether Barack Obama has the strength, judgment, and determination to keep the US safe.
