Aside from painting an almost laughably unrealistic picture of conditions in Iraq, John McCain's speech in Ohio has another noteworthy component. While addressing Ohioans in a campaign appearance earlier this morning, McCain said that in his vision of five years from now, "America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed terribly so that America might be secure in her freedom." The details of this plan and the manner in which it is presented are troubling to say the least.
After describing Iraq in 2013 as having "spasmodic and much reduced" violence and "functioning democracy" in his speech, McCain attempted to dispel in advance accusations that he is setting a timetable for withdrawal by telling reporters after the speech that his statements weren't establishing a date but rather merely projecting victory. This is a deft political move as it allows him to dance around the question of withdrawal while still getting the positive news coverage that will no doubt accompany this story. After all, The New York Times ran the story with the headline "McCain: Most Troops Will Be Home by 2013", not "McCain Predicts Victory by 2013" or something of the like. By phrasing this in terms of a withdrawal without making any concrete assurances that this will be so, the Senator can reap all the benefits of supporting withdrawal without actually doing so, including diminishing the differences between his and Barack Obama's plans for the region.
Aside from the fact that his 'withdrawal' plan is completely disingenuous, isn't it convenient that Senator McCain chooses 2013 as his benchmark date for such a troop reduction? It's close enough to seem reasonable, yet far enough away to not be politically inexpedient (see:after the 2012 election.) McCain then could win a second term as president without ever having to withdraw troops as suggested. Plus, when you consider the nebulous nature of his statements, including the promise that American troops will maintain a military presence in Iraq, albeit a greatly reduced one, one can see that McCain could leave soldiers in the country and still say that he is adhering to his promises. When you look at his words in total, especially those to reporters after the event, it becomes clear that McCain has no intentions of removing any American service men and women unless his own unreasonably rosy predictions about Iraq come true.
See the full text of McCain's speech here.