Thank you for the explanation.
However, although I won't link to the source in the future, I believe the quote is very useful from a historical perspective.
The article was published on December 27, 2006 and was highly critical of McCain's support of the Surge strategy that had yet to be implemented. The quote even mentions conservative critics of the Surge.
It serves to document that, back in 2006 when McCain had almost no allies on this issue and the advocacy of the Surge was damaging him severely, McCain was steadfastly advocating the military strategy that has now turned the war around towards the path to Victory.
If it’s any consolation, I caught it. :^)