by Mark Silva

Is Barack Obama qualified to serve as president?

“Absolutely,’’ Sen. John McCain said today – with a qualifier that he, of course, considers himself more qualified.

Yet, he was presented with this question on Fox News Sunday today: “Putting aside your differences on issues, straight talk, is Barack Obama qualified to be president?’’ host Chris Wallace asked.

“If the voters decide that, of America, absolutely,’’ McCain replied.

“I believe that my talent and my background and my experience which has led to my judgment is -- I think qualifies me more, obviously, or I wouldn't be seeking the presidency,’’ the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee said, adding that the Democratic Party’s frontrunner in a close chase for delegates has misconstrued his own words about the war in Iraq.

“Let me just say again, that was in response -- when I said he was inexperienced and does not have the background -- to the charge of this, quote, "hundred years in Iraq,’’’ McCain said. “Wen you read the whole quote -- and I hope at some point we could see that -- where I was in an exchange with a voter in New Hampshire, a town hall meeting… he said how long are you going be there? I said it could be 100 years, but it's a matter of U.S. casualties. And we have presence in countries like South Korea, Japan, et cetera, et cetera. So it's very clear, and Senator Obama and anyone reads that knows that I didn't think we were in a 100-year war. ‘’

“But I want to go to the bigger issue,’’ Wallace said.

“Yeah,’’ McCain said. “Sure.’’

“Which is that you said Obama doesn't understand national security, has no experience, no background on these issues. I understand the voters are going to make up their minds…. In John McCain's opinion, does somebody who has no background in national security, is he fit to be commander in chief?’’

“Again, I'm not ducking your question, Chris,’’ McCain said. “You could make an argument maybe that Jack Kennedy was not, quote, "qualified" in 1960, as opposed to Richard Nixon. The voters decided on Jack Kennedy. So I can't dictate what the voters will decide.

“All I can do is match my credentials and my knowledge and background up against Sen. Obama's or Sen. Clinton. That race is not decided yet. And I will gladly stand, not only on that background and experience, but my vision and my ability to lead this country in difficult times.’’

McCain, who could become the oldest president inaugurated if he wins in November, also said this today: “It's pretty clear that Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton have energized the younger voters. And I believe I have, and I believe I've got to compete on that grounds, too,’’ he said with characteristic humor about the Sunday morning talk-show circuit: “That's why I go on shows that young people watch.