Washington, July 4 : Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has been branded a “flip-flopper” by the rival Republican Party in the context of the timetable withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

Obama is reported to have said in North Dakota on Thursday that he may "refine" his 16-month timetable for getting American troops out of Iraq, but then struggled to explain what he meant.

"When I go to Iraq and I have a chance to talk to some of the commanders on the ground, I'm sure I'll have more information and will continue to refine my policies," the Sun quoted Obama, as saying while referring to a still unscheduled Middle East trip.

Asked specifically about his 16-month time line, Obama said it is based on getting the troops out safely, at a rate of one to two brigades a month.

In their reaction, the Republicans said: "There appears to be no issue that Barack Obama is not willing to reverse himself on for the sake of political expedience."

Team Obama retorted by saying that the Grand Old Party (GOP) has been consistent in twisting the statements of the Democratic presidential nominee, and reiterated that the objective of the Democrats was to end the war in Iraq.

A CNN poll said that most Americans already think both Obama and McCain are serial flip-floppers. (ANI)