McCain held a blogger conference call today, just before delivering remarks at the VFW National Convention in Kansas City. Below follows what I could decipher of my notes - please note I am paraphrasing all:

McCain: Of course I will tell them I am proud to be in their company, but also of the importance of allowing the [Iraq] strategy to succeed, and the consequences of failure, and that it is a part of the greater struggle against Islamic extremism.

Townhall meetings going well in NH, SC. I am finding health care at top of domestic issues, but Iraq dominates. Debate will resume in September in Congress, Democrats will push for withdrawal. I will be touring with vets on a "No Surrender" tour. You will recall I was critical of Rumsfeld and the old strategy.

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1st q - ? - sorry, missed the question from Jennifer Rubin. A - Democrats forget, parties don't lose wars, Presidents don't lose wars - nations lose war. Democrats look for political gains from war (mentions statements from Clyburn, Reid, Schumer). Some news of our success is filtering through media to public.

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Matt Lewis, Townhall.com - Your campaign spent too much in past, have you asked for an outside audit? A - No, but I have asked for an inside audit, because I wanted an accounting, I know we spent too much and want to know on what, it is nearly complete.

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James Joyner, Outside the Beltway - On the political front on war, the Malaki gov't hasn't done anything, what about new political strategy since military strategy is working? Is it time to go back in as army of occupation? A - military success had to precede political solution, Malaki was weak and unsure we would stay. Their central government to provide assistance to the Sunni sheiks who helped us - I don't know if he is strong enough or not, but their parliament knows they need to be part of a solution. We are there for our interests not theirs, and there are some signs of progress.

Read the rest "below the fold:"

follow-up by JJ - We've been hoping for so long, alternative is so bad . . . A - They are staring at the abyss. We can't dictate to a sovereign govt, but we are investing blood and treasure, so have the right to influence. Under their system they could have vote of no confidence in the government - they have no Kamel Atatürk ready to step up, though.

follow-up 2 - We wanted to pretend they were running the show when they weren't capable of it. A- Agrees, but saw this on early trips to Iraq, we should have done much different earlier. Progress in local governments isbeing made, there is a chance we could see some progress in next couple of weeks. The criticism from Democrats was that it was a military failure, now that military strategy is working, they see political failure of Iraqi government. Military success gives a chance for political progress.

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NZBear of Victory Caucus - On Iran, if you were President: We are negotiating with Tehran on Iraq, while declaring the IRG terrorists, etc. A - We need to get together with like-minded countries. The UN Security Council is effectively blocked by China. Europe is still giving lines of credit to Iran, there are Iranians in Iraq, THEY up the ante. Maybe sanctions have a chance now that Sarkozcy and Merkel are in office, it could happen. We must begin addressing problems outside the UN, with like-minded nations with common interests.

follow-up - On a tactical level, what should the Rules of Engagement be with Iranians in Iraq? A - Go after anyone fighting us in Iraq. Over the longer term - months, or years - turn over some responsibility to Iraqis in provinces and reinforce borders. It's easier on that terrain than on our southern border, but still difficult.

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Michael Goldfarb Weekly Standard - Regarding Sen. Lieberman's op ed in WSJ on Damascus airport, would you favor action to shut down that airport? A - The Syrians are involved in assassinations in Lebanon & support of Hezbollah - there must be consequences. George Schultz once told me - never point a gun unless prepared to shoot it. The Syrians transit suicide bombers to Iraq as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon. No bombing yet, make it clear to Syria, first through UNSC, we are serious. I've heard 70 or more suicide bombers go through there each week. We must enforce existing sanctions including the investigations on assassinations, isolate them. I realize that's not a good answer and will keep working on it, let's talk again next week.

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Me - Congress set two sets of benchmarks. We're meeting them with our military, but Iraqis aren't making the political side. But if it's in our national interests to be there, and the Iraqis want us there, why would we leave just because they are slow in getting their own act together - A - We're not giving up on them, there is a fair chance they will make progress. There is good political progress on the ground locally in Anbar, Ramadi, There is success, and it is still in our interests - to be there. Crocker is the best ambassador we've had, and his pressure is helping.

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Jim Geraghty National Review - The Democratic debates, they are all competing to propose fastest withdrawal, driven by the passion of their base. How do we get enough congressional Democrats to defy the base on this key issue? A - Our first goal is to shore up the shaky Republicans. We need demonstrations of support for our position around the country. Moveon and Sheehan, etc been active, getting their antiwar message out. We need to voice support for our servicemen and women, and remember the consequences of failure. Get the message out. The Senate debate should begin around 9/18, with Petraeus testifying on 9/11, report due 9/12, then a break for Rosh Hashanah on 9/14-13. When I was in NH, the mother of a serviceman killed in Iraq asked me to ensure his death was not in vain. We must make clear consequences if failure. Even 60 votes in the Senate is not enough for Democrats to prevail, because Bush will veto, but if they get it, it will seem like failure and be portrayed as such. They will begin to attach withdrawal to every bill.

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Ed Morrissey, Captain's Quarters and Heading Right - One of the Democrats - Barrett - who initially opposed the invasion, just came back from Iraq saying we need to stay. How significant is that? How will it affect Pelosi's ability to get a majority for withdrawal? A - It's a good thing we have a good congressional health plan, Brian may need it.

The House can usually exercise discipline on votes, but is important. He is a thoughtful and influential member. The good news of success is slowly filtering through to the American people. It will now be interesting to see how southern Democrats like Pryor and Landrieu come out on this.

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last questioner - couldn't hear the name - asked about tour bus and schedule. A - We will be blogging from the bus, with veterans on board. I respect the soldiers who wrote the NYT column, but it is not reflective of what I hear from troops in the field. I hear 3 words: "Let us win!' They are paying attention. The schedule will be out soon, come and ride on the bus.