The Arizona Democratic Party is attacking presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain over his recently-stated support of the Arizona Civil Rights Initiative, the anti-affirmative action ballot initiative backed by Ward Connerly. Democrats say his backing of the initiative represents a "reversal" of the position he held a decade ago.

In an appearance on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday morning, George Stephanopoulos asked the Arizona senator whether he backed the Arizona initiative "that would do away with affirmative action." "Yes, I do," said McCain, who stated he has "always opposed quotas." McCain added that he has "not seen the details" of the Arizona Civil Rights Initiative, but that he supports it.

An Associated Press article said McCain's opposition to race-based hiring quotas has been consistent, but that in 1998 he opposed a ballot initiative similar to the one Connerly authored:

Over the years, McCain has voiced opposition to hiring quotas based on race, though he has supported affirmative action in limited cases. For example, he voted to maintain a program that encourages awarding women and minorities with 10% of spending on highway construction.

In 1998, McCain opposed a resolution pending in the Arizona Legislature that would have asked voters to eliminate most preferences based on race, gender, color or ethnic origin. McCain warned against using ballot proposals to outlaw quotas or racial preferences.

"Rather than engage in divisive ballot initiatives, we must have a dialogue and cooperation and mutual efforts together to provide for every child in America to fulfill their expectations," McCain said.

Arizona Democrats have seized on the issue, and Chairman Don Bivens issued a statement condemning McCain for not "sticking to his guns."

""By supporting a ban on all affirmative action, John McCain has reversed himself, again, on an issue that is central to the future of Arizona," said Bivens. "The only thing that's changed since John McCain publicly opposed a similar measure is that now he's running for President.

"McCain was right the first time and should stick to his guns," Bivens said. He also praised Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) as having a "long, consistent record of working to allow all children to reach their full potential, regardless of the color of their skin."

The McCain campaign has not commented on the AP story since it broke Sunday.