I participated in a conference call with Senator John McCain this afternoon, a loose transcription of which follows below. I am working from notes, so everything is paraphrased, and if I missed anything important or mess up any question or answer, I apologize in advance. Unfortunately, the names were only given once, and not the blog the questioner represented, so I am working from memory on those - and again, sorry if I'm wrong about anyone. Thanks to the McCain campaign for inviting me to participate.

Senator McCain: His brief opening remarks noted his recent trip to Iraq, and the policy speech he had just delivered [I may have more on that later], and that he had met new French President Sarcozy, who "may be the first pro-American French leader since Lafayette."

He also took "full responsibility for problems with the campaign" and expressed his sorrow at "seeing old and close friends go" in restructuring. "There are still problems ahead," he acknowledged, "but I will work hard, using the town hall meetings" to meet the voters directly.

Jennifer Rubin [I believe this is the reporter often published in the Washington Times and American Spectator among other places]: Senators Warner and Lugar are coming out with a new proposal on Iraq - have you discussed this with them?

Senator McCain: I haven't discussed the specifics of their plan with them, only policy in general terms. I believe once you are at war, you either win or you lose. We haven't lost this war yet - we are seeing good progress militarily, don't believe it necessary to "reauthorize" the war.

James Joyner [Outside the Belway, I presume]: How is optimism justified with current Iraqi government, which shows no signs of progress?

Senator McCain: Agree, very disappointing, Ambassador Crocker is working hard on them. The opportunity is still there to move forward, but they have not shown the progress which would be in their own self interest. They are staring into the abyss now, and we need their progress for the success of the mission.

JJ follow-up: How can we judge when the war is won OR lost?

Senator McCain: There have been mistakes and bad strategy for years now, as I have been saying. We need to wait for Gen. Petraeus's report in September and see if there has been enough progress to continue or if we need alternative strategies. There are no good options, though. Any alternative will also lead to more sacrifice. There will always be hardcore groups which say "win no matter what" or "get out no matter what," but most Americans can be swayed by the events and are willing to respond to success.

Much more below the fold . . .

Phil Klein (AmSpec blog): How much debt is your campaign carrying?

Senator McCain: Not sure of the exact figure, but there is some debt. We are working on figures now and will be in the report.

Michael Goldfarb (Weekly Standard?): Were the votes in the Senate this week a win for our Iraq policy?

Senator McCain: We were successful in beating back amendments, especially Webb amendment which sounds good but it is very dangerous to have 535 members of Congress deciding how long troops can be in combat. What if such a thing happened in 1939? We still have the Reid and Levin amendments coming up, setting deadlines, and the Salazar amendment, and it will be tough, but I expect we can hold 41 votes on them.

Jim Addison (Wizbang Politics): You've known and served with Pete Domenici for more than two decades. Given his recent statements, he seems to be going wobbly. How can we hold enough votes to support the war if we lose Senators like Domenici?

Senator McCain: I think the floor debate does help, especially explaining the consequences of failure. I have known Pete a long time, have great respect for him, but I do wish he and others would visit Iraq more often, and talk to the generals and Crocker. I don't think Americans are getting the true picture on Iraq - not a media conspiracy, but good news doesn't get through. Tired of being asked "What is my 'Plan B'?" I ask "What is the other side's 'Plan B' if we withdraw and chaos results?" Agreed with Bush's speech the other day, was great speech, and I am still optimistic we can hold 41 votes.

[missed the name completely, sorry]UPDATE: It was John Hinderaker of Power Line, one of my favorite blogs - hey, speak up, John!: We keep saying "Wait until September" but it is just around the corner now. Is it realistic we could have enough change on the ground to change minds?

Senator McCain: I'm against arbitrary deadlines, and think it was a mistake to try to buy time by saying wait for September report, not a good idea. It is coming quickly, and if I were the bad guys, around Labor Day I would be setting bombs all over. I don't know that we could prevent that. However, if in September General Petraeus can report some progress and explain exactly what will happen if we get out in 90 days, but maybe it is hoping against hope.

Jeff Emmanuel [Redstate]: On my way to Iraq as embedded journalist - regarding September date, the Democrats are now ignoring it, trying to get withdrawal now. How important is Iraq to you? Will you take time from the campaign to work in the Senate against withdrawal?

Senator McCain: If Americans and shaky Republicans could hear Petraeus directly, it would help. I am on the Senate floor managing the defense bill they are trying to slip the deadlines into, and will do whatever is necessary. I would much rather lose the campaign than the war. I have met our wonderful brave young people who are making sacrifices in the field, and I cannot let them down.

Jim Geraghty [NRO's The Campaign Spot]: More and more, polls of Republicans show they do not think of Bush as conservative in the Reagan tradition. How can you demonstrate you are more conservative than Bush [given campaign finance, immigration, etc.] and more like Reagan?

Senator McCain: Spending, spending, spending. The war cost us somewhat in 2006, but the bigger reason for the 2006 debacle was the dispirited base, due to our spending. The "Bridge to Nowhere" on cover of Parade, discouraged Republican voters. I have been fighting spending and the size of government for a long time. This is my record and I hope to convince the Republican voters.

Ana Marie Cox [Wonkette]: With the other three top Republican contenders signaling softness on Iraq, how can you contend with this?

Senator McCain: I will continue the fight, hope it shows how I stand up for what I believe. Our base agrees that a deadline for withdrawal is disastrous, and I hope to point that out in debates. I have no illusions that I haven't been hurt [politically] by the war and the immigration bill, but at the town hall meeting today [in Concord, NH] I received a standing ovation. I do well when I can talk directly with the people.

~End~

Again, I apologize for any errors in transcribing. Blame my poor typing skills, my failing hearing, or my aging brain, but not my heart, which is pure as snow.