three little words

This short clip is from an appearance John McCain made on the Today programme this morning. He's asked how long he thinks that US troops should stay in Iraq, and replies that's 'not too important', going on to explain that it's the casualty level that matters. He foresees a situation where, much like Germany or South Korea, American troops are stationed indefinitely but aren't in a combat situation. It's an argument he's made before, and certainly a point of difference with Obama.

But what a careless way to express it. 'Not too important' when our troops come home? How his advisers must have winced when they watched him say that.

The Obama campaign reacted to this opening with a speed and ferocity that marks this Democratic candidate out from his predecessors. Within hours, five (count 'em!) Obama surrogates had attacked McCain for his remark in a concerted effort to paint him as out of touch with the reality of the war.