How is that defeatist?
Do you think Churchill claimed Britain was "winning" the war when Germany was bombing London? Of course not. But he sure as heck didn't give up either.
I can tell you this, Chruchill sure as hell didn't say the UK was losing the war during the Blitz. That's the point. Mr. Gates just laid a very big egg with regard to American morale in Iraq; and he just gave the terrorists a reason to cheer.
Churchill did not go on Radio and told the world that Britain is not winning the war.
I don't recall any speeches by Churchill in which he said, "We're losing this war!" I have to agree with jveritas on this one.