McCain: No surrender
John McCain led Republicans yesterday with 30% of the buzz share amongst conservative bloggers, according to Wonkosphere. His presentation to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he focused on his experience as a vet, was well received.
There was also a lot of buzz about McCain’s interview with the National Review Online, where he announced that his campaign will start a “No Surrender” tour in the near future, possibly around Labor Day. One cannot help but notice the double entendre here–No Surrender in Iraq, No Surrender on the campaign trail.
McCain is optimistic about progress on the ground in Iraq and concerned about the “battle at home”:
“We all know we’re going to hear the report in September. I believe Democrats are going to propose a date for withdrawal. We’re going to get together a lot of our veterans, medal of honor winners, those who have served in Iraq, and we’re going to launch the “No Surrender Tour.” We’re going to try to build up support for this strategy, the anti-war people have been very active, so we’re going to try to organize not just for men and women serving, but the strategy. Believe me, I understand the frustration, sorrow, and sacrifices made… I would remind you I was one of the greatest critics of Rumsfeld and the previous failed strategy. This strategy will succeed.”
McCain’s street cred with vets is as high as any of the candidates, so the strategy plays to his strengths. If some good news can come from Iraq over the next few months, McCain will be well-positioned; if not, the continued focus on Iraq creates a slippery slope–any advance by McCain can be taken away, at least momentarily, by bad headlines from Iraq.
I am reminded of the Bruce Springsteen song…
“We made a promise we swore we’d always remember
No retreat no surrender
Like soldiers in the winter’s night with a vow to defend
No retreat no surrender.”
