[img_assist|nid=166|title=U.S. Sen. George Voinovich|desc=Getty Images Photo|link=none|align=left|width=420|height=297]

U.S. Sen. George Voinovich (R-Cleveland) is standing by his support of U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for president despite publicly contradicting the presumptive Republican nominee on one of his core campaign issues, saying last night, “We need to get the hell out of Iraq” and supporting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Voinovich made his comment last night to a meeting of Regional Chamber members in Howland, as the Youngstown Vindicator reported.

In an interview with PolitickerOH.com, McCain spokesman Paul Lindsay downplayed the differences between Voinovich and McCain.

“While there are many issues that Senator McCain and Senator Voinovich agree on, this is not one of them. John McCain had the foresight to stand up to Don Rumsfeld and call for the change in strategy that is succeeding in Iraq today. There is much work that remains in Iraq, but Sen. McCain is determined to ensure that our troops come home in victory and with honor,” Lindsay said.

McCain has been perhaps the most vocal opponent of any timetable for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. McCain regularly attacks his Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, for his plans to draw down U.S. forces, calling any timetable a “surrender.”

"He really has no experience or knowledge or judgment about the issue of Iraq,” McCain said of Obama in a recent speech in Albuquerque. “And he has wanted to surrender for a long time."

He lambasted his opponent in the Republican primary, former Mass. governor Mitt Romney, during a January debate for supporting secret timetables and milestones for U.S.-Iraqi progress.

Voinovich spokesperson Chris Paulitz said Voinovich wants an announcement that the U.S. will begin exiting from Iraq on a timetable to pressure Iraqi and regional players.

“He wants an announcement that we’re starting to pull back on our physical presence while upping our political and diplomatic presence,” Paulitz said. “If it something that would rip our troops out immediately and leave this vacuum that’s just going to fall into chaos, he wouldn’t be for that. He wants a responsible, gradual withdrawal of our troops with an increase in diplomatic participation on our behalf.”

Paulitz said Voinovich’s difference with McCain over Iraq doesn’t mean he can’t support him for president.

“Unless you’re a robot I can’t believe that you’d be lock step with any candidate you’d support 100 percent,” he said.

Voinovich said last night he supports McCain because of who he is.

“John’s authentic and has good character,” Voinovich said. “To me, that’s the most important thing.”