From the Associated Press:

Republican presidential contender John McCain called the Iraq war “a great tragedy” on Thursday, yet still decried a timetable for a U.S. withdrawal as the Senate voted to begin pulling out troops by Oct. 1.
“I’m aware of the patience of the American people. I read the polls. I’m not embarrassed to say that. I understand the frustration and sorrow that American people feel about this war. It’s a great tragedy,” said McCain, who was campaigning in this early voting state and missed the Senate vote on the bill containing the withdrawal timetable.