Republican presidential hopeful John McCain struck a chord Sunday when he told a group of Quad-City supporters that the new strategy in Iraq is working and setting a withdrawal date is not the answer.

“I believe if we set a date for withdrawal, that is a date for surrender,’’ the Arizona senator said at a rally at the Bettendorf home of Carrie and Pete Peterman. He acknowledged Republicans are frustrated and that the war was “badly mismanaged.” He shared the same sentiments earlier Sunday while debating  in Des Moines.

“We face the greatest challenge of our time and that is the struggle with radical Islamic extremism. We will never surrender — they will,” said McCain, a veteran aircraft carrier pilot who served in Vietnam.

McCain spoke to a crowd of more than 150 gathered in the Petermans’ backyard. The house party resembled more of a family reunion than a political rally — except for the American flags and McCain political signs  all along White Tail Drive.

The evening’s hostess, Carrie Peterman, is the sister of Bettendorf native Mark Salter, who was McCain’s long-time chief of staff and now serves as senior adviser of his campaign.

Several times, McCain made mention that these are the types of campaign events he loves most “and the best way to win campaigns.”

In his remarks, McCain told the crowd the Republicans did not fare well in the last election because “we Republicans lost our way” and allowed spending to get out of control. “Every pork barrel bill that comes across my desk when I’m president, I will veto it,” he said to an applauding crowd.

Among those gathered were Republicans who have joined the McCain camp as well as others who are shopping for a candidate.

“I know he’s the man — I like what he stands for,” Davenport Mayor Ed Winborn said.

“The war has a lot to do with it,” said Winborn, whose son, John, is serving his third tour in Iraq as a master sergeant with Special Forces. “He’s the one guy out of the whole pack — Republican or Democrat — who will do the right thing.”

Annette Wood, of Davenport, also likes McCain’s stance on Iraq — presenting him with two Support Our Troops T-shirts.

“I don’t think we can tell the enemy when we’re going to leave,” said Wood, who has several friends serving in Iraq. “But I’m still shopping; I’m not set on his immigration policy.”

On the immigration issue, McCain said, “I would secure the borders of the United States before doing anything else.” He said he also supports a temporary worker program.

Rob Heaps, a registered Republican from Davenport, also still considers himself shopping the candidates. “I made a mistake the last two times. I don’t want to make a mistake this time,” he said, adding that he has misgivings about McCain. “I’m asking questions. I don’t like a clone of Bush.”

Jennifer DeWitt can be contacted at (563) 383-2318 or jdewitt@qctimes.com.