I think it is equally significant that they chose to cut away from McCain's smarmy smile to shots of the cute reporter and the heroic image of troops kicking butt. The "Surge" meme represents the idea that all that is needed to "win" in Iraq is more brute force and good old American know-how. McCain still refuses define what "winning" would be (my guess is that it means America leaving with some oil and its pride and dignity more intact), and the real reason that we are suddenly winning a war is the coming large scale defeat of the republican party. A "surge" is usually associated with things that overwhelm a system to the point of collapse, i.e. surge protectors and Surge the soda/energy drink. Thankfully Obama will put this atavistic war to bed, but he will still face strong opposition from the vaguely stated neocon desire to mess with the Muslims.