McCain was twice interrupted by members of the peace group Code Pink. One protester was identified as Adam Kokesh, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War. He carried a sign reading “You can’t win an occupation” on one side, and “McCain votes against vets” on the other. In his speech, McCain touted his support for President Bush’s so-called troop surge in Iraq.

Sen. John McCain: "I fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq when it wasn’t the popular thing to do. And when the pundits said—and when the pundits said my campaign was finished, I said I’d rather lose an election than see my country lose a war.”