Wash. Post article on McCain speech falsely suggested he received "three standing ovations" for Iraq war stance

In a March 15 article about the International Association of Fire Fighters' (IAFF) 2008 Presidential Forum, The Washington Post reported that "Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who sought to sell the importance of continuing the fight in Iraq to a highly skeptical audience, got three standing ovations." But contrary to the article's suggestion, the applause McCain did receive from the audience was not in response to his arguments for continuing the war in Iraq. The IAFF's video of the speech indicates no audible applause for those comments. Indeed, in his March 15 "Washington Sketch" column, Washington Post staff writer Dana Milbank offered a detailed account of the chilly reception McCain received for his comments in support of continuing the war:

Then came McCain, and the mood changed. Right after an opening joke and the obligatory nod to the heroism of firefighters, the senator plunged into "the issue that is of greatest concern to all of us, the war in Iraq." For the next several minutes, the audience listened in stony silence.

Only McCain's pleas to honor the troops earned the crowd's approval. "Whether we believe their mission can succeed or is certain to fail, have the political courage to stand by our convictions and offer something more than doubts, criticism, or no-confidence votes to the national debate."

McCain allowed that his own contribution to the national debate could imperil his candidacy. "Presidents don't lose wars," he said, in the tone of a valedictory. "Political parties don't lose wars. Nations lose wars, my friends, and nations suffer the consequences -- and those consequences are far more serious than the loss of elections."

McCain finally moved on to the need for better equipment for firefighters. The applause, predictably, returned.

For about a 10-minute span, McCain discussed the Iraq war and why he said he supports increasing U.S. troop levels there. During the speech, widespread applause can be heard at the following times in the IAFF video of McCain's speech:

• 2:47 -- McCain walks on stage after being introduced

• 4:34 -- The end of, as Milbank put it, the "opening joke."

• 7:15 -- Saying he is "in the company of heroes," McCain says he is "grateful for the privilege" of addressing the forum.

• 14:45 -- "May God bless" U.S. troops in harm's way "and protect them."

• 15:19 -- Elected officials should have "the political courage to stand by [their] convictions and offer something more than doubts, criticism, or no-confidence votes to the national debate" on Iraq, because the troops "deserve more than that."

• 20:10 -- The federal government, and not the first-responders, are to blame for the communications system's failure on September 11, 2001.

• 21:47 -- The federal government needs to stop wasting money and instead needs to "put first the needs" of first-responders.

• 24:21 -- End of speech.

From the March 15 Washington Post article, headlined "Firefighters Gain Favored Spot With 2008 Hopefuls":

The firefighters gave Democratic candidates the most enthusiastic receptions. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) received several standing ovations -- but Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.) and Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.) got more.

Edwards brought enthusiastic cheers with his union-oriented agenda. Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) started slowly but won several rounds of applause when he talked about ending the war and giving better treatment to returning veterans. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who sought to sell the importance of continuing the fight in Iraq to a highly skeptical audience, got three standing ovations.

—R.S.K.