Photo: South Ossetia crisis 

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Aimed to consolidate his commander-in-chief credentials, U.S. Republican presidential hopeful John McCain took a hard stance toward Russia Monday in the wake of the Russia-Georgia conflict.

    "Russian President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin must understand the severe, long-term negative consequences that their government's actions will have for Russia's relationship with the U.S. and Europe," McCain said in Erie, Pennsylvania, before a bus trip of the state.

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Senator John McCain (R-AZ) makes a statement on the developments in Georgia at the Des Moines International Airport during a campaign stop at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa Aug.8, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Describing the Russian actions in the conflict as "Moscow's path of violent aggression," the Arizona senator suggested that Russia's aim may be to overthrow the pro-U.S. government in Georgia.

    U.S. analysts said the conflict between Russia and Georgia has put McCain and his Democratic rival Barack Obama on a foreign policy test.

    Democratic consultant Mark Mellman also said that if the issue does affect voters, "it gives McCain a slight advantage."

    While Obama has little foreign-policy experience, McCain was in the Navy, was a prisoner of war for 5 years and has long sat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

    Recent polls show that voters seem to trust McCain more to handle foreign and national security issues.

    In comparison to McCain's hard stance, Obama's initial response was more measured.

    "Now is the time for Georgia and Russia to show restraint, and to avoid an escalation to full-scale war," he said.