Lancaster – Arizona Sen. John McCain said yesterday the United States needs to send another 20,000 troops to Iraq.

The potential Presidential candidate spoke in Lancaster and Berlin yesterday. With 16 days to go before the mid-term elections, McCain said he is "spending every waking moment" helping Republicans get elected.

"Roughly, you need another 20,000 troops in Iraq, but that means expanding the Army and Marine Corps by as much as 100,000 people," the Arizona senator told reporters after a campaign event for Republicans in New Hampshire's North Country.

McCain, a former Navy pilot who was held prisoner in Vietnam, argued that he has been saying for three years that more U.S. troops were needed in Iraq. Last week, he said during an appearance in Iowa they were needed to quell a "classic insurgency" in the country.

Yesterday, McCain said the Army and Marine Corps must be increased to take the strain off National Guard troops deployed to Iraq. He also repeated his opposition to a hasty U.S. withdrawal.

"If we leave ... the fighting will evolve into chaos there," he said.

About 100 people turned out at the Lancaster Welcome Center to shake hands and hear McCain. Most were Coos County Republicans seeking office next month, but the event also drew gubernatorial candidate Jim Coburn and U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass.

McCain is no stranger to the North Country. He kicked off his 2000 Presidential campaign at the bandstand in town.

"This is a very important election," he said. "If we lose the majority, it will be difficult to govern and it will be difficult for the President to handle his agenda" for the next two years.

McCain, who arrived late Thursday, spent that night at The Balsams in Dixville Notch. He traveled to Berlin yesterday afternoon before concluding his visit in Nashua at a spaghetti dinner.

He thanked the dozens of candidates attending yesterday's Lancaster event and spent about an hour meeting people, shaking hands and encouraging candidates entering the final two weeks of their campaign.

"I've been told that Jim Coburn will be the next governor of New Hampshire after (Thursday night's gubernatorial debate with Gov. John Lynch)," McCain said.

Coburn, an infrequent visitor to the North Country, promised state representatives that "I'll be back many times" once elected.

"We're down to 16 days (before the general election) and it's time we really energize our base and get out the vote," he said.

Republicans, McCain said, can be proud of their accomplishments over the last two years and can boast a strong economy, low inflation and an America safer than it was after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

He talked about the situation in Iraq, acknowledging that the country "made many mistakes."

He noted North Korea has threatened to test a second nuclear bomb. He supports sanctions against the country.

Three students from Derek Patterson's Kids Vote program at the Lancaster Elementary School were chosen to attend the event.

"Are you going to run for President?" asked student Stockton Hicks.

McCain told him that he will decide early next year.