SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) The sparring between GOP presidential candidates John McCain and Mitt Romney in the battle for Florida is heating up, with McCain now saying Romney should apologize to U.S.

troops in Iraq.

That followed Romney's demand for an apology from McCain. The Arizona senator accused the former Massachusetts governor off wanting to pull U.S. troops from Iraq. Romney said that's "simply wrong and it's dishonest" and McCain should apologize.

Romney says he's never suggested a specific date for withdrawal as McCain seemed to imply while talking to Florida voters today.

Romney says McCain is "trying desperately" to change the topic from the economy to Iraq.

Recent polls show the two locked in a tight fight for the lead in a state that offers the winner a hefty 57 delegates to the GOP's nominating convention next summer and a shot of energy heading into the February 5th primaries.

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