Marshall on the Comments

Josh Marshall also weighs in:

"Consider McCain's strategy, which is all bound up with Iraq.

"All understand it is a given that the war is unpopular and that the vast majority of Americans want out as soon as possible. The big of wiggle room is just what's 'possible.' McCain has invested his entire campaign in support for the purportedly nascent Iraqi democracy al Maliki represents and the claim that Obama's support for a timetable for withdrawal irresponsibly risks losing the gains we've achieved and giving Iraq back to al Qaeda.

"Here, with a brush of the hand and in so many words, al Maliki says, 'No, we're good.'