For McCain's grandfather and father, see John S. McCain, Sr. and John S. McCain, Jr.

John Sidney McCain III (born August 29, 1936) is the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona, having served since 1987. He first became a national celebrity after being held as a prisoner of war for five and a half years in Vietnam. He was a presidential candidate in the 2000 election, but was defeated in the Republican primary by George W. Bush. On 15 November 2006, McCain announced he was forming an exploratory committee for a 2008 presidential campaign.

Early life and military career

McCain was born in Coco Solo in the American-controlled Panama Canal Zone. Despite being born in a foreign country, his parents were both U.S. citizens and he acquired U.S. citizenship at birth, making him eligible for the Presidency.Rudin, Ken. "Citizen McCain's Panama Problem?". The Washington Post. 1998-07-09. Retrieved on 2006-11-17. Both his father and grandfather were famous U.S. Navy admirals. His father John S. "Junior" McCain commanded American forces in Vietnam while McCain was a prisoner of war. His grandfather John S. McCain, Sr. commanded naval aviation at the battle of Okinawa in 1945. His mother is Roberta Wright (b. 1912). He attended Episcopal High School and graduated in 1954. That fall, McCain, like his father and grandfather, entered the United States Naval Academy. He graduated in 1958, and joked that he had followed the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom had graduated very low in their respective classes at Annapolis^{[citation�needed]}. McCain stood 895th out of a class of 900^{[citation�needed]}. In 1965, McCain married Carol Shepp, a model originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The couple divorced on April 2, 1980.Alexander, Paul (2002). John McCain: Man of the People. John Wiley & Sons, pp. 92. ISBN 0-471-22829-X.

Right:Lieutenant John McCain when he was an instructor in 1965 and 1966 with his squadron

After graduating from Annapolis, McCain reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida to begin training as a naval aviator. While training, he suffered a mishap during which his aircraft crashed into Corpus Christi Bay, though he escaped.Alexander (2002), pp. 32. Eventually he graduated and entered the U.S. Navy's light attack community.

Vietnam

McCain escaped death once again on July 29, 1967. While Forrestal steamed off the coast of Vietnam preparing to launch attacks, a Zuni rocket from an F-4 Phantom was accidentally fired across the carrier's deck. The rocket struck McCain's A-4E Skyhawk as the jet was preparing for launch.Alexander (2002), pp. 39-41. The impact ruptured the Skyhawk's fuel tank, which ignited the fuel and knocked two bombs loose. McCain escaped from his jet by climbing out of the cockpit, working himself to the nose of the jet, and jumping off the nose boom onto the burning deck of aircraft carrier. Ninety seconds after the impact, the bomb exploded underneath the airplane. McCain was struck in the legs and chest by shrapnel. The ensuing fire killed 134 sailors, destroyed at least 20 aircraft, and threatened to sink the ship.FAITH OF MY FATHERS—THE JOHN McCAIN STORY. B-29s over Korea. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.

After the Forrestal incident, McCain joined the VA-163 Saints on board the short-staffed Oriskany; on October 26, 1966, a mishandled flare caused a deck fire, resulting in the death of 44 men, including 24 pilots. The Saints squadron and its parent Air Wing 16 suffered the highest loss rate of any Navy flying unit during the entire Vietnam War. This was due to the perilous missions assigned to it and to the aggressiveness of its aviators.

Prisoner of war

Unidentified man being pulled out of a lake in North Vietnam

On October 26, 1967, McCain's A-4 Skyhawk was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile, landing in Truc Bach Lake. He broke both arms and a leg after ejecting from his plane. After he regained consciousness, a mob gathered around him and stripped him of his clothing. He was then tortured by Vietnamese soldiers, who bayonetted him in his left foot and groin. His shoulder was crushed by a rifle butt. He was then transported to the Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the Hanoi Hilton.Alexander (2002), pp. 49.

Once McCain arrived at the Hanoi Hilton, he was placed in a cell and interrogated daily. When McCain refused to provide any information to his captors, he was beaten until he lost consciousness.Alexander (2002), pp. 50.

When the North Vietnamese discovered his father was the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Command, (CINCPAC), commander of all U.S. forces in Vietnam, he was offered a chance to return home. McCain turned down the offer of repatriation.Vietnam War - Senator John McCain of Arizona Biography

McCain signed an anti-American propaganda message which was written in Vietnamese, but only as a result of rigorous and brutal torture methods, which have rendered him incapable of raising his arms above his head. According to McCain, signing the propaganda message is something he most regrets during his time as a POW. After McCain signed the statement, the Vietnamese decided they could not use it. They tried to force him to sign a second statement, and this time he refused. He received two to three beatings per week because of his continued refusal.Alexander (2002), pp. 60.

McCain was held as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for five-and-a-half years, mostly in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, and was finally released from captivity in 1973. McCain was reinstated to flight status and became Commanding Officer of VA-174 Hellrazors, the East Coast A-7 Corsair II Navy training squadron^{[citation�needed]}. In 1976 he became the Navy's liaison to the Senate.Frantz, Douglas, "THE 2000 CAMPAIGN: THE ARIZONA TIES; A Beer Baron and a Powerful Publisher Put McCain on a Political Path", The New York Times, pp. A14, February 21, 2000, URL retrieved November 29, 2006. He retired from the Navy in 1981 as a captain."Just the facts about McCain", The Arizona Republic. 2006-09-18. Retrieved on 2006-11-17. During his military career, he received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and a Distinguished Flying Cross."Candidate profile of John McCain", Election 2000, U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.

McCain is one of only three Vietnam veterans currently serving in the U.S. Senate, alongside Republican Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Democrat John Kerry of Massachusetts.^{[citation�needed]}

A television-based film entitled Faith Of My Fathers, based on McCain's memoir of his experiences as a POW, aired on Memorial Day, 2005 on A&E;.Lowry, Brian. "Recently Reviewed: Faith of My Fathers". Variety. 2005-5-30. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.

Political career

In 1981 McCain married Cindy Hensley and moved to Phoenix. There he went to work for her father's Anheuser-Busch beer distributorship, where he gained political support among the local business community. When John Jacob Rhodes, the longtime Republican congressman from Arizona's 1st congressional district, announced his retirement, McCain ran for the seat as a Republican in 1982 and won.Mary Thornton, "Arizona 1st District John McCain," Washington Post, Dec. 16, 1982 In 1986, upon Republican Senator Barry Goldwater's retirement, McCain was elected to succeed him.

2000 Presidential Primary

See also: United States presidential primaries, 2000

In 1997, TIME named him as one of the "25 Most Influential People in America". His best-selling family memoir, Faith of My Fathers (1999), helped propel his presidential run. McCain skipped the Iowa caucus, focusing instead on the New Hampshire primary. In visits to towns he gave a ten-minute talk (focused on campaign reform issues), then announced he would stay until he answered every question that everyone had. He made over 200 stops, talking in every town in New Hampshire in an example of "retail politics" that overcame Bush's famous name. He won by a 49-30 landslide, and suddenly was the celebrity of the hour. Analysts predicted that a McCain victory in the South Carolina primary would give him unstoppable momentum. However, McCain lost the crucial state of South Carolina. Bush then regained the momentum. Analysts attribute McCain's loss in South Carolina to Bush's mobilization of the state's evangelical voters and to the perception among voters that McCain's campaign was too negative especially in regards to ads comparing Bush's honesty to President Clinton's.Corera, Gordon. "McCain down, but not out", BBC News, 2000-02-21. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. This perception was formed despite that presence of allegations of negative campaigning on both sides including a push polling campaign, where phone calls were made to conservative Republican voters in the Deep South, allegedly to ask them whether they would support McCain if he had an illegitimate interracial daughter with a black woman. McCain in fact has an adopted daughter from Bangladesh. Accounts of this are covered in the books, Bush's Brain and Boy Genius.Ferullo, Mike. "'Push polling' takes center stage in Bush-McCain South Carolina fight; Dems campaign in California", CNN, 2000-02-10. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. Additionally conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh entered the fray supporting Bush.

McCain never recovered from his defeat in South Carolina, although he did bounce back by winning in Michigan and Arizona. However, McCain made serious mistakes that negated any momentum he may have regained with the Michigan victory. In Virginia, he began criticizing leaders of the religious right Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. McCain lost the Virginia primary and then, a week later, went on to lose 9 of the 13 primaries on Super Tuesday. His overall loss on that day has been attributed to his going "off message", ineffectively accusing Bush of being anti-Catholic in response to his visit to Bob Jones UniversityFreedman, Samuel G.. "Thanks, but no thanks", Politics2000, Salon.com, 2000-03-10. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. and getting into a verbal battle with leaders of the Religious Right.Robinson, B.A. (2000-03-09). RELIGION AND THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES IN THE YEAR 2000. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. McCain was also criticized for his continued use of an ethnic slur in reference to his Vietnamese captors. He told reporters, "I hate the gooks.... I will hate them as long as I live."Nevius, C.W.; Sandalow, Marc; and Wildermuth, John. "McCain Criticized for Slur", San Francisco Chronicle, 2000-02-18. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. At first, he stood by his use of the slur, saying that it was "the kindest, the kindest description I can give them."Tapper, Jack. "Straight talk", Politics2000, Salon.com, 2000-02-17. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. Amid heavy criticism,"McCain under fire for racial slur", Associated Press, 2000-03-01. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. McCain later reversed his position and apologized. McCain would go on to win a few more primaries (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont), but in a two-man contest he was unable to catch up. Though he apologized for his usage of the racial slur "gook," he had aroused the ire of Asian Americans due to the delay of an apology.

2008 Presidential race

See also: United States presidential election, 2008

McCain formed an exploratory committee after the 2006 midterm elections.

Should McCain win in 2008, he would be the country's oldest President in history at ascension to office, being 72 years old and surpassing Ronald Reagan, who was 69 years old at his inaugeration following the 1980 election. He has dismissed concerns about his age and past health concerns (malignant melanoma in 2000), stating in 2005 that his health was "excellent."McCain, John. Interview transcript. Meet the Press. MSNBC. 2005-06-19. Retrieved 2006-11-14.McCain, John. Interview transcript. Larry King Live. CNN. 2005-11-03. Retrieved 2006-11-14.

McCain's oft-cited strengthsBalz, Dan. "For Possible '08 Run, McCain Is Courting Bush Loyalists", Washington Post, 2006-02-12, p.�A01. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. as a presidential candidate in 2008 include national name recognition, sponsorship of major lobbying and campaign finance reform initiatives, leadership in exposing the Abramoff scandalRichard Cohen, "McCain's Day to Crow," Washington Post January 5, 2006; Page A15 [1], military service (including years as a tortured POW), competing in the 2000 presidential campaign (where he won the New Hampshire primary), extensive fund-raising abilities, strong advocacy for President Bush's re-election campaign in 2004, and appeal to independent voters. He appeals to Democrats as well, and reportedly was asked by John Kerry to be the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2004. In mid-November 2006 early polls showed him leading Hillary Clinton. He led her 48-45 in the Rasmussen poll.[2] During the 2006 election cycle, McCain attended 346 events and raised more than $10.5 million on behalf of Republican candidates. He also donated nearly $1.5 million to federal, state and county parties.Associates Press, "McCain, Biden explore White House bids' November 12, 2006 at [3]

In May 2006, McCain gave the commencement address at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University. During his 2000 presidential bid, McCain had called Falwell an "agent of intolerance." With significant coverage during the campaign, McCain said that he would never back down from his earlier statement. His later appearance at Liberty University prompted questions about the McCain-Falwell relationship and a possible presidential run in 2008. McCain stated that Falwell is no longer that divisive figure and the two have discussed their shared values.VIDEO: McCain Says Jerry Falwell is No Longer an ‘Agent of Intolerance’. Think Progress (2006-04-02). Retrieved on 2006-08-15. McCain delivered a similar address at The New School commencement in Madison Square Garden. McCain was received by boos, jeers, and several students and professors turned their backs or waved fliers reading "McCain does not speak for me."Herszenhorn, David M.. "Graduates at New School Heckle Speech by McCain", New York Times, 2006-05-20. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. McCain's speech mentioned his unwavering support for the Iraq War and focused on hearing opposing viewpoints, listening to each other, and the relevance of opposition in a democracy.McCain, John. "'Let Us Argue'", The Wall Street Journal, 2006-05-22. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.

Political views

A lifelong Republican,Joshua Green, "The Big Switch," Washington Monthly, May 2002 McCain's American Conservative Union rating is 83 percenthttp://www.acuratings.org/2005all.htm#AZ. However, McCain has supported some initiatives not agreed upon by his own party and has been called a "maverick" by some members of the American media.Barone, Michael, et al. The Almanac of American Politics: 2006 (2005) pp 93-98

Foreign policy

McCain has consistently shown himself to be a prominent "hawk" on foreign policy. McCain supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the U.S. decision to overthrow the Saddam Hussein regime, of a continued, and increased, military presence, and most of Bush's foreign policies.York, Byron. "America’s (second) most important hawk", The Hill, 2005-12-08. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. His speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention centered around that theme. Despite offering support for war, McCain has urged the Bush administration to make "significant policy changes" in the Iraq War; yet, "stay the course." He criticized The Pentagon several times, most notably concerning low troop strength in Iraq,"McCain criticizes Pentagon on Iraq war", CNN, 2004-12-05. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. and has called for a diversification of Iraqi national forces to better represent the multiple ethnic groups contained within the country. He stated that the United States government must do more to keep public support high for the war, stressing that "America, Iraq and the world are better off with Saddam Hussein in prison rather than in power…and we must honor their sacrifice by seeing this mission through to victory." McCain's full speech on the matter from mid-November 2005 can be read at his Senate website.McCain, John (2005-11-10). WINNING THE WAR IN IRAQ. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.

McCain has stated that he had "no confidence" in former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, but refused to act on his words to call for his resignation, explaining that "the president picks his team, and the president has the right to stay with that team if he wants to." "Hardball's College Tour with John McCain", Hardball with Chris Matthews, 2006-10-19. Retrieved on 2006-10-24.

Environmental Issues

His concerns over global warming and other environmental issues have put him at odds with the Bush administration and other Republicans.Barone (2005) On the other hand, he has voted for the bills supporting the drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=S0061103,

Social issues

McCain voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, arguing that each state should be able to choose whether to recognize gay marriage McCain's Senate website, Statement on the Federal Marriage Amendment, July 13, 2004, accessed November 18, 2006 McCain's Senate website, Statement on the Marriage Protection Amendment, June 6, 2006, accessed November 18, 2006(he supported the Arizona initiative to ban gay marriage Díaz, Elvia. "Gay-marriage ban initiative wins support from McCain", Arizona Republic, 2005-08-26. Retrieved on 2006-11-18. ).

Illegal Immigration

McCain has initiated legislation to find a solution to illegal immigration through guest worker programs. His legislation coauthored with Senator Kennedy was a major focus of debate in 2006. He has supported some moves to expand immigration to the USJohn McCain Immigration-Reduction Report Card. Americans for Better Immigration. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.-including expansion of the H-1B visa program (though H-1B is technically a non-immigrant visa). In 2005, he co-sponsored a bill with Ted Kennedy that would expand use of guest worker visas.Patterson, Crystal (2005-03-15). Quick Guide to Kennedy- McCain Immigration Bill. Daily Kos. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. However, he voted for the permanent ban on the immigration of individuals living with HIV.Election 2000 Presidential Candidate Report. TheBody (August 1999). Retrieved on 2006-08-15. Speaking about the immigration reform protests, McCain warned the Hispanic community that it may experience a backlash if too many Hispanic flags were flown during the protests.Fournier, Ron. "Ariz. at the Center of Immigration Debate", Forbes, 2006-03-31. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. McCain has criticized conservatives like Rush Limbaugh for not supporting more lenient immigration laws.

Presidential Election 2004

See also: United States presidential election, 2004

McCain publicly supported Bush in the 2004 U.S. presidential election. He often praised Bush's leadership and continuing zeal after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, attacks McCain's reputation as a moderate appealed to many voters who found Bush too conservative, and in the 2000 elections, many saw Bush as the more conservative candidate and McCain as the more moderate candidate. In fact, according to voteview.com, McCain's voting record in the 109th Congress is the third most conservative (as of November 2005). On the other hand, his voting record during the 107th Congress, from January 2001 through November of 2002, places him as the 6th most liberal Republican senator, according to the same data and analysis at voteview.com.

McCain's longtime friend and colleague, and also the Democratic Presidential nominee in 2004, John Kerry of Massachusetts reportedly asked McCain to be his running mate. The New York Times reported on June 11, 204, that Kerry, "has repeatedly and personally asked Senator John McCain...to consider being his running mate, but Mr. McCain has refused, people who have spoken to both men said Friday." [4]

McCain accused the Swift Boat Vet campaign against Kerry of being "dishonest and dishonorable".Coile, Zachary. "Vets group attacks Kerry; McCain defends Democrat", San Francisco Chronicle, 2004-08-06. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.

Education

McCain has announced that he supports the inclusion of intelligent design teaching in schools.Karamargin, C.J.. "McCain sounds like presidential hopeful", Arizona Daily Star, 2005-08-24. Retrieved on 2006-08-15. In 2005, McCain told the Arizona Daily Star that he believes "all points of view" should be available to students.

McCain is a member of The Republican Main Street Partnership and supports stem cell research despite his earlier opposition to the research.Allen, Jonathan. "GOP hopefuls getting more time to weigh stem-cell vote", The Hill, 2005-10-25. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.

Middle-East

McCain firmly supports the State of Israel. He demonstrated his strong support when he made a speech addressing AIPAC on April 23, 2002.^{[citation�needed]} During the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, McCain said Israel's response to the assault by Islamic guerrillas is appropriate. "What would we do if somebody came across our borders and killed our soldiers and captured our soldiers?," says McCain. "Do you think we would be exercising total restraint?" Such restraint should come from Hezbollah and the nations sponsoring it, notably Iran, McCain said in remarks that became a freewheeling, far-reaching speech on foreign policy, including his views on matters involving North Korea, Iraq and the U.S. war on terrorism.McCain: Israel's response is appropriate

Senator McCain tried to persuade FIFA to ban Iran from the 2006 World Cup.MaCain Introduces Resolution Calling On FIFA To Ban Iran From Soccer World Cup given Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comments that the Holocaust never happened (which is a criminal offense in Germany).

"Gang of 14" and Senate filibuster

Main article: Gang of 14

On May 23, 2005, McCain was one of fourteen Senators to forge a compromise on the Democrats' use of the judicial filibuster, thus eliminating the need for the Republican leadership's attempt to implement the so-called "nuclear option". Under the agreement, senators would retain the power to filibuster a judicial nominee, the Democrats would agree to use this power against Bush nominees only in an "extraordinary circumstance", the Republicans involved would agree to vote against the nuclear option if implemented, and three of the most contested Bush appellate court nominees (Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen and William Pryor) would receive a vote by the full Senate.

Detention and torture of extrajudicial prisoners

For further details on this topic, see McCain Detainee Amendment and Military Commissions Act of 2006

The McCain Detainee Amendment was an amendment to the United States Senate Department of Defense Authorization bill, commonly referred to as the Amendment on (1) the Army Field Manual and (2) Cruel, Inhumane, Degrading Treatment, amendment #1977 and also known as the McCain Amendment 1977. It became the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 as Title X of the Department of Defense Authorization bill. The amendment prohibits inhumane treatment of prisoners, including prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, by confining interrogations to the techniques in FM 34-52 Intelligence Interrogation.

Senator McCain, as a former POW, was previously recognized for his sensitivity to the issue of the detention and interrogation of detainees from the War on Terror. On October 3, 2005, Senator McCain introduced the McCain Detainee Amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill for 2005. On October 5, 2005, the United States Senate voted 90-9 to support the amendment.Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 1st Session on the Amendment (McCain Amdt. No. 1977). United States Senate (2005-10-05). Retrieved on 2006-08-15.

On December 15, 2005, President Bush announced that he accepted McCain's terms and will "make it clear to the world that this government does not torture and that we adhere to the international convention of torture, whether it be here at home or abroad.""McCain, Bush agree on torture ban", CNN, 2005-12-15. Retrieved on 2006-08-16. President Bush made clear his interpretation of this legislation on December 30th, 2005, in a signing statement, reserving what he interpreted to be his Presidential constitutional authority in order to avoid further terrorist attacks."President's Statement on Signing of H.R. 2863, the "Department of Defe