Reporter

The government of Iraq has made it clear - some members of the government made it clear - in the last month or two, that they might want a withdrawal before complete stability, before totally secure borders, before some of the completeness of victories you described. Is there any change - do you think there's some wiggle room there?

What you described with Patraeus was an endpoint that was rather complete. A peaceful, stable country.

John McCain

It's a peaceful, stable country now.

Reporter

It is.

John McCain

Yes.

Reporter

So - but you wouldn't say that we've achieved victory now.

John McCain

Yes. I would say that the surge has succeeded, and we are winning.

Reporter

So (garbled) but wouldn't victory mean we could -

John McCain

I'd say that - again. The surge has succeeded (garbled)

Reporter

But it's not yet at the point where a significant drawdown of troops...

John McCain

That's the view of General Patraeus - well, General Patraeus' strategy has succeeded when Senator Obama said it wouldn't, couldn't, and has denied that it has succeeded. And we will be able to withdraw as we have in every time in history when counter-insurgency succeeds.

Reporter

Going back into biography a little bit...

John McCain

I've described a thousand times what victory is and we've succeeded and we're winning and we'll come home in honor and victory, and not in defeat.