By Andrew Gray WASHINGTON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - The top U.S. commander in Iraq defended his record on Thursday in the face of strong criticism from Sen. John McCain, a Republican presidential contender in 2008. "I do not believe that the current policy has failed," Army Gen. George Casey told the U.S. Senate's Armed Services Committee. "The struggle in Iraq is winnable but it will ... take patience and will," Casey told the committee, meeting to consider his nomination to be U.S. Army chief of staff. McCain, who is the committee's top Republican and has supported the Iraq war, said he did not question Casey's patriotism or honor but did question the general's judgment in his 2-1/2 years in Iraq. "During that time, things have got markedly and progressively worse," McCain said, adding the United States had not changed strategy as the situation deteriorated and was only now starting to alter course. "It took us a long time to get where we are today," McCain said. "We have paid a very heavy price in American blood and treasure." President George W. Bush said this month he would send 21,500 additional U.S. troops to Iraq in an effort to get a grip on the sectarian killings, insurgent attacks and other violence plaguing Baghdad and other parts of Iraq. Tens of thousands of Iraqis and more than 3,000 U.S. troops have died in Iraq since U.S.-led forces invaded in 2003 and toppled Saddam Hussein. McCain said Casey's portrayal of events during his time in charge in Iraq had been "unrealistically rosy" and described the situation in Iraq today as "dire and deteriorating". He said his previously expressed reservations about Casey's nomination persisted. The Senate has already confirmed Army Gen. David Petraeus to replace Casey as the top commander in Iraq. Casey defended his strategy of trying to reduce levels of violence while building Iraqi forces to take over security duties as quickly as possible. He noted Iraqi forces were responsible for security in three of the country's 18 provinces and said they were on track to be in charge nationwide by November. "That process is working -- it's working slowly but it's working," Casey said. Under the new strategy, U.S. forces plan to take a more active role in establishing security in Baghdad. If confirmed, Casey would replace Gen. Peter Schoomaker as Army chief of staff. Schoomaker is retiring.
