HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- The troop surge does not guarantee U.S. success in Iraq, but announcing a pullout date is a recipe for mass killing and the eventual return of American forces, presidential hopeful John McCain told backers Tuesday.

"If we set a date for withdrawal, there will be chaos, there will be genocide, and the entire region will be engulfed, and we will be back," the Arizona Republican told listeners during an evening pig roast fundraiser at a farm about 30 miles northwest of Detroit.

About 100 people filled a sweltering pole barn, sitting at red- and blue-covered tables to dine on pork, chicken, potatoes, green bean casserole and chocolate cake.

McCain, who for years has supported increasing U.S. troop strength in Iraq, said he believes the strategy is working but acknowledged that victory is not certain.

"I'm not positive we can win in this fight, but I feel a lot more confident when I know ... (American soldiers) are out there putting it on the line every day for the freedom not only of the Iraqi people, but ours," McCain said.

Asked to clarify later if he was unsure the war could be won, he told reporters, "I believe we're winning, and I believe we can."

He acknowledged he's swimming against public sentiment that favors withdrawing troops, but added, "I'm far more willing to lose a campaign than to lose a war."

McCain also continued his criticism of pork barrel spending, noting "it led to corruption and it led to members of Congress in jail."

"It is evil and it has got to stop," he said.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox was among those hosting the fundraiser at Hoffman Farms, which straddles Oakland County's Highland and Rose townships. Donors paid $50 per person for the pig roast or $250 for the pig roast and a private reception with McCain.

Those who donated or raised $1,000 for the Arizona senator's campaign were listed as hosts.

Although McCain has fallen behind GOP rivals Rudolph Giuliani and Mitt Romney in fundraising and dropped in the polls, McCain told reporters that his leaner, retooled campaign has been finding strong support in early primary states.

"We have packed houses at town hall meetings in New Hampshire and South Carolina," he said.

Cox said McCain misjudged how much money he could raise. But he said McCain remains viable since the GOP race still has no prohibitive favorite.

"He may have fallen through the ropes, but he's back in the ring and swinging away," Cox said.

McCain, who gained a national following in the 2000 presidential race as an underdog against long odds, still considers Michigan one of his best chances for success.

He had a come-from-behind win in Michigan's 2000 GOP presidential primary, and can tap wells of support from prominent GOP activists in the state such as Cox, GOP National Committeeman Chuck Yob and National Committeewoman Holly Hughes.

Not everyone at the pig roast was solidly in McCain's corner, at least not yet.

"I agree with 85 percent of his platform, but I also want to look at others," said sales representative Bill Burton of Waterford Township.

The Democratic National Committee said in a statement Tuesday that while McCain campaigns as a reformer who has fought pork barrel spending, he has sought federal funds for projects in his home state.

"It's not the kind of leadership Michigan voters want from their next president," DNC spokesman Luis Miranda said in a release.

McCain made his most recent campaign stop in Michigan last month, when he addressed The Economic Club of Southwest Michigan in Benton Harbor.

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