McCain the Pessimist?

David Brooks has an interesting piece over at the NY times today arguing McCain's foreign policy credentials.  Brooks points to a speech given in 1983 by the then freshman legislator McCain, who broke ties with his Party and President Regan on the Issue of the Lebanon.  McCain said.

"I do not foresee obtainable objectives in Lebanon."  He concluded "I believe the longer we stay, the more difficult it will be to leave, and I am prepared to accept the consequences of our withdrawal."

What's more shocking is that this speech was given AFTER Hezbollah killed 241 U.S. Marines stationed in the country.  Brooks argues that McCain's Maverick outlook on foreign policy is not the one commonly portrayed in the media.  If you read the Brooks piece you see a legislator who in 1983, exercised a savvy working knowledge of the region and much needed restraint in the face of panic.  

How does this balance with the McCain we see today?  Recent incidents include the "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" singalong, linking al-qaeda to Iran only to have Joe Liberman set him straight, and of course his never give in policy on Iraq.  

McCain has already started running commercials for the general election such as this little diddy.  Not surprising really.

What do you think?  McCain the Dove? or McCain the Hawk?