Sadly for McCain the 100 years comment was not a great one. It's going to be taken out of context. And it's insinuates that we'll be fighting like we are for 100 years not that we'll be transitioning over and only keeping a small force present.

He probably will not be asked about it directly in debates to deny him the chance to elaborate without spending add dollars.

In short a very reasonable idea, but bad phrasing, and to some degree he'll pay for it. Just a matter of how much.