Now, you don't [say you're going to attack]. You don't say that out loud. If you have to do things, you have to do things, and you work with the Pakistani government.
- John McCain, Presidential Debate 9/26/08
That's some Straight Talk (tm) right there. John McCain lives in a binary world; there is good and evil, black and white, things you do and don't do. It's the driving force behind his campaign: John McCain has the experience to act correctly. Especially when it comes to military matters. From a family of admirals and having served himself, McCain knows about correct military procedure.
I mean, come on--it's so obvious. You do not invade Russia during the winter (see: Bonaparte, Napoleon). You do not assume the enemy will attack where you want them to (see: Maginot Line). You do not assume the enemy will take a day off (see: Crossing of the Delaware, Washington).
And you do not announce that you're going to attack. Like this guy did, not months before he was even President, but a scant eight days before the invasion of Iraq:
"American armed forces will likely soon begin to disarm Iraq by destroying the regime of Saddam Hussein."
Are you kidding me? Why not just hand over our Order of Battle?
"Our armed forces will fight for peace in Iraq -- a peace built on more secure foundations than are found today in the Middle East."
Talk like that shows an unbelievable lack of wisdom when it comes to being a Commander in Chief. By making such public pronouncements, that guy was showing an incredible lack of common sense. Certainly a lack great enough to question his ability to steer the ship of state.
So I agree, Senator McCain. You do not announce that you're going to attack. Keep hammering that point in the press, and expose how unfit the man who wrote those things is to aspire to the Oval Office.