The Surge As A Way Out?

First Romney, now McCain. Is there a pattern here? Money quote from McCain's just-completed blogger conference call:

Perhaps the most surprising statement in the call, on Iraq: "In upcoming months, you could see Americans withdrawing." That, he said, could happen as Americans hand over more authority to Iraqis. Of course, he noted, it would be a long, hard process.

UPDATE I (2:46 p.m.): The senator clarified his thoughts on Iraq a bit later in the call...

"What Petraeus is going to say is not that we can start to withdraw," Mr. McCain said. "We're seeing progress," he said, and the Iraqi army is getting better. That means: "We're going to be able, in months ahead, to move into bases." And then, "when the situation warrants it," we'll be able to take the next step of withdrawing.

Hmmm.