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John McCain is a stupid idiot and it's good that he wasn't elected President.
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{{Infobox Senator
| name = John McCain
| image = John McCain official portrait with alternative background.jpg <!-- do not change without discussing at Talk: -->
| imagesize = 220px
| jr/sr = Senior Senator
| state = [[Arizona]]
| term_start = January 3, 1987
| term_end = <!-- Do NOT put 'present' -->
| alongside = [[Jon Kyl]]
| predecessor = [[Barry Goldwater]]
| successor =
<!--
| nominee1 = [[United States presidential election, 2008|President of the United States]]
| party_election1 = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| election_date1 = November 4, 2008
| runningmate1 = [[Sarah Palin]]
| opponent1 = [[Barack Obama]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) <br />[[List of United States presidential candidates, 2008|and numerous others.]]
| incumbent1 = [[George W. Bush]] (R)
| preceded1 = [[George W. Bush]]
-->
| state2 = Arizona
| district2 = [[Arizona's 1st congressional district|1st]]
| term_start2 = January 3, 1983
| term_end2 = January 3, 1987
| predecessor2 = [[John Jacob Rhodes Jr.]]
| successor2 = [[John Jacob Rhodes III]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1936|08|29}}
| birth_place = [[Coco Solo|Coco Solo Naval Air Station]], [[Panama Canal Zone]], [[Panama]]
| birthname = John Sidney McCain III
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse = [[Carol McCain|Carol Shepp]] (m. 1965, div. 1980)<br />[[Cindy McCain|Cindy Lou Hensley]] (m. 1980)
| relations =
| children = Douglas (b.&nbsp;1959, adopted 1966),<br />Andrew (b.&nbsp;1962, adopted 1966),<br />Sidney (b.&nbsp;1966),<br />[[Meghan McCain|Meghan]] (b.&nbsp;1984),<br />John Sidney IV "Jack" (b.&nbsp;1986),<br />James "Jimmy" (b.&nbsp;1988),<br />Bridget (b.&nbsp;1991, adopted 1993)
| residence =
| alma_mater = [[United States Naval Academy]]
| occupation =
| profession = [[Naval aviator]], [[Politician]]
| religion = [[Southern Baptist]] congregant<br/>(Brought up [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopalian]])<ref>McCain was christened and raised Episcopalian. See Nichols, Hans. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aHH18X6Vsqzk&refer=home "McCain Keeps His Faith to Himself, at Church and in Campaign"], Bloomberg ([[2008-04-25]]). He now identifies as a Baptist, although he has not been baptized as an adult, and is not an official member of the church he attends. See Warner, Greg. [http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3229&Itemid=121 "McCain’s faith: Pastor describes senator as devout, but low-key"], [[Associated Baptist Press]] ([[2008-04-08]]). Retrieved [[2008-09-06]]. Also see Hornick, Ed. [http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/16/warren.forum/index.html?iref=mpstoryview "McCain and Obama cite moral failures"], [[CNN]], ([[2008-08-16]]): "McCain, who was raised an Episcopalian and now identifies himself as Baptist, rarely discusses his faith." Retrieved [[2008-08-16]]. Also see Reston, Maeve and Mehta, Seema. [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-saddleback17-2008aug17,0,140426.story "Barack Obama and John McCain to Meet at Saddleback Church"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', ([[2008-08-16]]): "McCain [is] an Episcopalian who attends a Baptist church in Phoenix..." Retrieved [[2008-08-16]]. </ref>
| net worth = $40.4&nbsp;million ([[United States Dollar|USD]])<ref>Harris, Marlys. "[http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0712/gallery.candidates.moneymag/4.html Millionaires-in-Chief]", ''[[Money (magazine)|Money]]'' ([[2007-12-10]]). Retrieved [[2008-07-16]]. This includes assets held in his wife's name. Only approximately $50,000 in assets are held in John McCain's name.</ref>
| signature = Mccainsig.svg
| website = [http://mccain.senate.gov/public/ U.S. Senator John McCain: Arizona]
| footnotes = <center><br />'''More detailed articles about John McCain:'''<br />
[[Early life and military career of John McCain|Early life and military career]]<br />
[[House and Senate career of John McCain, 1982–2000|House and Senate career, 1982–2000]]<br />
[[John McCain presidential campaign, 2000|2000 presidential campaign]]<br />
[[Senate career of John McCain, 2001–present|Senate career, 2001–present]]<br />
[[John McCain presidential campaign, 2008|2008 presidential campaign]]<br />
[[Cultural and political image of John McCain|Cultural and political image]]<br />
[[Political positions of John McCain|Political positions]]
</center>
}}
[[Image:McCain at Annapolis.JPG|thumb|McCain at Annapolis, c. 1954]]<!--Please don't move this image. Having it here causes the image to appear immediately below the infobox.-->

'''John Sidney McCain III''' (born August 29, 1936)<!-- DON'T WIKILINK DATE. SEE NOTE ABOVE. --> is the [[senior senator|senior]] [[United States]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] from [[Arizona]]. He was the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[presidential nominee|nominee for president]] in the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 United States election]].

McCain graduated from the [[United States Naval Academy|U.S. Naval Academy]] in 1958. He became a [[naval aviator]], flying [[ground-attack aircraft]] from [[aircraft carriers]]. During the [[Vietnam War]], he nearly lost his life in the [[1967 USS Forrestal fire|1967 USS ''Forrestal'' fire]]. In October 1967, while on a bombing mission over [[Hanoi]], he was shot down, badly injured, and captured by the [[North Vietnam]]ese. He was a [[prisoner of war]] until 1973. McCain experienced episodes of [[torture]], and refused an out-of-sequence early [[repatriation]] offer. His war wounds left him with lifelong physical limitations.

He retired from the Navy as a [[Captain (United States)#United States Navy, Coast Guard, and uniformed services|captain]] in 1981, moved to Arizona, and entered politics. Elected to the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] in 1982, he served two terms, and was then elected to the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] in 1986, winning re-election easily in 1992, 1998, and 2004. While generally adhering to [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] principles, McCain at times has had a media reputation as a "[[wiktionary:maverick|maverick]]" for having disagreed with his party. After being investigated and largely exonerated in a political influence scandal of the 1980s as a member of the [[Keating Five]], he made [[campaign finance reform]] one of his signature concerns, which eventually led to the passage of the [[McCain-Feingold Act]] in 2002. He is also known for his work towards restoring diplomatic relations with Vietnam in the 1990s, and for his belief that the [[Iraq War|war in Iraq]] should be fought to a successful conclusion. McCain has chaired the [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation|Senate Commerce Committee]], has opposed spending that he considered to be [[pork barrel]], and played a key role in [[Gang of 14|alleviating a crisis over judicial nominations]].

McCain unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]]. Nominated in [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008]], he lost to [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidate [[Barack Obama]] in the general election.

==Early life and military career, 1936–1981==
{{main|Early life and military career of John McCain}}

===Formative years and education===
John McCain was born in 1936 at [[Coco Solo]] Naval Air Station in the [[Panama Canal Zone]], [[Panama]], to naval officer [[John S. McCain, Jr.]] (1911–1981) and [[Roberta McCain|Roberta (Wright) McCain]] (b.&nbsp;1912).<ref name="timberg-bio-ch1">Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', [http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/t/timberg-mccain.html 17–34] (subscription only link).</ref> At that time, the [[Panama Canal]] was under U.S. control.<ref>[[Samuel Eliot Morison|Morison, Samuel Eliot]]. ''The Two-Ocean War: A Short History of the United States Navy in the Second World War'' ([[Naval Institute Press]] 2007), 119.</ref>

McCain's family tree includes [[Scots-Irish Americans|Scots-Irish]] and [[English people|English]] ancestors.<ref>Roberts, Gary. [http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/services/56_ancestry_john_mccain.asp "On the Ancestry, Royal Descent, and English and American Notable Kin of Senator John Sidney McCain IV"], New England Historic Genealogical Society ([[2008-04-01]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-19]].</ref> His father and [[John S. McCain, Sr.|his paternal grandfather]] both became four-star [[United States Navy]] [[Admiral (United States)|admirals]].<ref name="az-naval">Nowicki, Dan & [[Bill Muller|Muller, Bill]]. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter2.html "John McCain Report: At the Naval Academy"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-10]]. According to the ''The Arizona Republic'', "'McCain: The life story of Arizona's maverick senator' as written by reporter Bill Muller originally appeared in ''The Arizona Republic'' and on azcentral.com on Oct. 3, 1999. Reporter Dan Nowicki updated and revised the biography with additional material in January 2007." See [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-postscript.html "How the biography was put together"], ''The Arizona Republic'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2008-06-18]]. Regarding McCain's time at the Naval Academy, "McCain's grades were good in the subjects he enjoyed, such as literature and history. Gamboa said McCain would rather read a history book than do his math homework. He did just enough to pass the classes he didn't find stimulating. 'He stood low in his class,' Gamboa said. 'But that was by choice, not design.'"</ref> His family, including his older sister Sandy and younger brother Joe,<ref name="timberg-bio-ch1"/> followed his father to various naval postings in the United States and the [[Pacific]].<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 19.</ref> Altogether, he attended about 20&nbsp;schools.<ref name="ap-wmd"/>

In 1951, the family settled in [[Northern Virginia]], and McCain attended [[Episcopal High School (Alexandria)|Episcopal High School]], a private preparatory boarding school in [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]].<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 22.</ref> He excelled at [[scholastic wrestling|wrestling]] and graduated in 1954.<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 28. See also: Arundel, John. [http://www.alextimes.com/article.asp?article=7851&paper=1&cat=141 "Episcopal fetes a favorite son"], ''Alexandria Times'' ([[2007-12-06]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-07]].</ref>

Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, McCain entered the [[United States Naval Academy]] at [[Annapolis]]. There, he was a friend and informal leader for many of his classmates,<ref name="timberg-ns-ch1"/> and sometimes stood up for targets of [[bullying]].<ref name="az-naval"/> He also became a lightweight [[boxing|boxer]].<ref name="nw051407">Bailey, Holly. [http://www.newsweek.com/id/34694 "John McCain: 'I Learned How to Take Hard Blows'"], ''[[Newsweek]]'' ([[2007-05-14]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-19]].</ref> McCain came into conflict with higher-ranking personnel, he did not always obey the rules, and that contributed to a low class rank (894 of 899), despite a high [[Intelligence quotient|IQ]].<ref name="timberg-ns-ch1" /><ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 207. McCain scored 128 and then 133 on [[IQ]] tests.</ref> He did well in academic subjects that interested him, such as literature and history, but studied only enough to pass subjects he struggled with, such as mathematics.<ref name="az-naval" /><ref>McCain, ''Faith of My Fathers'', 134.</ref> McCain graduated in 1958.<ref name="timberg-ns-ch1">Timberg, ''Nightingale's Song'', [http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?pid=407204&agid=2 Chapter 1], 31–35 </ref>

===Naval training, first marriage, and Vietnam assignment===
[[Early life and military career of John McCain#Naval training, early assignments, first marriage, and children|John McCain's early military career]] began when he was commissioned an [[ensign (rank)#United States|ensign]] and started two and a half years of training at [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]] to become a naval aviator.<ref name="alexander-32">Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 32.</ref> While there, he earned a reputation as a partying man.<ref name="ap-wmd">Woodward, Calvin. [http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-11-03-998821539_x.htm "McCain's WMD Is A Mouth That Won't Quit"], [[Associated Press]] via ''[[USA Today]]'' ([[2007-11-04]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-10]].</ref> He completed flight school in 1960, and became a naval pilot of [[ground-attack aircraft]], assigned to [[A-1 Skyraider]] squadrons<ref>McCain, ''Faith of My Fathers'', 156.</ref> aboard the [[aircraft carrier]]s [[USS Intrepid (CV-11)|USS ''Intrepid'']] and [[USS Enterprise (CVN-65)|USS ''Enterprise'']]<ref name="feinberg">Feinberg, Barbara. ''John McCain: Serving His Country'', 18 (Millbrook Press 2000). ISBN 0-7613-1974-3.</ref> in the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]] and [[Mediterranean Sea]]s.<ref name="timberg-bio">Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 66–68.</ref> McCain began as a sub-par flier<ref name="timberg-bio"/> who was at times careless and reckless;<ref name="lat100608"/> during the early-to-mid 1960s, the planes he was flying crashed twice and once collided with power lines, but he received no major injuries.<ref name="lat100608">Vartabedian, Ralph and Serrano, Richard A. [http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-aviator6-2008oct06,0,876358,full.story "Mishaps mark John McCain's record as naval aviator"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' ([[2008-10-06]]). Retrieved [[2008-10-06]].</ref> His aviation skills improved over time,<ref name="timberg-bio"/> and he was seen as a good pilot, albeit one who tended to "[[Flight envelope|push the envelope]]" in his flying.<ref name="lat100608"/>

On July 3, 1965, McCain married [[Carol McCain|Carol Shepp]], a [[model (person)|model]] originally from [[Philadelphia]].<ref name="dmr-mccain"> [http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=caucus&template=detail&candidate=mccain "John McCain"], ''Iowa Caucuses '08'', ''[[The Des Moines Register]]''. Retrieved [[2007-11-08]].</ref> McCain adopted her two young children Douglas and Andrew.<ref name="feinberg"/><ref name="alexander-92">Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 92.</ref> He and Carol then had a daughter named Sidney.<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 33.</ref><ref name="nyt122707">Steinhauer, Jennifer. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/27/us/politics/27mccainkids.html "Bridging 4 Decades, a Large, Close-Knit Brood"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2007-12-27]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-27]].</ref>

McCain requested a combat assignment,<ref>McCain, ''Faith of My Fathers'', 167–168.</ref> and was assigned to the aircraft carrier [[USS Forrestal (CVA-59)|USS ''Forrestal'']] flying [[A-4 Skyhawk]]s.<ref>McCain, ''Faith of My Fathers'', 172–173.</ref> [[Early life and military career of John McCain#Vietnam operations|His combat duty]] began when he was 30&nbsp;years old, in summer 1967, when ''Forrestal'' was assigned to a bombing campaign, [[Operation Rolling Thunder]], during the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="dmr-mccain"/><ref name="mccain-185">McCain, ''Faith of My Fathers'', 185–186.</ref> McCain and his fellow pilots became frustrated by micromanagement from Washington, and he would later write that "In all candor, we thought our civilian commanders were complete idiots who didn't have the least notion of what it took to win the war."<ref name="mccain-185"/><ref name="Karaagac">Karaagac, John. ''John McCain: An Essay in Military and Political History'', 81–82 (Lexington Books 2000). ISBN 0-7391-0171-4.</ref>

By then a [[Lieutenant Commander (United States)|lieutenant commander]], McCain was almost killed on July 29, 1967, when he was near the center of the [[1967 USS Forrestal fire|''Forrestal'' fire]]. He escaped from his burning jet and was trying to help another pilot escape when a bomb exploded;<ref name="nyt073167">Weinraub, Bernard. [http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/flash/politics/20080203_MCCAIN_TIMELINE/content/pdf/19670731b.pdf "Start of Tragedy: Pilot Hears a Blast As He Checks Plane"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[1967-07-31]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-28]].</ref> McCain was struck in the legs and chest by fragments.<ref name="timberg-73">Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 72–74.</ref> The ensuing fire killed 134&nbsp;sailors and took 24&nbsp;hours to control.<ref name="ff-178">McCain, ''Faith of My Fathers'', 177–179.</ref><ref name="DANFS">US Navy [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f3/forrestal.htm Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships – Forrestal]. States either Aircraft No.&nbsp;405 piloted by LCDR Fred D. White or No.&nbsp;416 piloted by LCDR John McCain was struck by the Zuni.</ref> With the ''Forrestal'' out of commission, McCain volunteered for assignment with the [[USS Oriskany (CV-34)|USS ''Oriskany'']], another [[aircraft carrier]] employed in [[Operation Rolling Thunder]].<ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 75.</ref> Once there, he would be awarded the [[Navy Commendation Medal]] and the [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] for missions flown over North Vietnam.<ref name="ap050708"/>

===Prisoner of war===
[[Early life and military career of John McCain#Prisoner of war|John McCain's capture and subsequent imprisonment]] began on October 26, 1967. He was flying his 23rd bombing mission over [[North Vietnam]] when his [[A-4E Skyhawk]] was shot down by a missile over [[Hanoi]].<ref name="az-pow">Nowicki, Dan & Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter3.html "John McCain Report: Prisoner of War"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-10]].</ref><ref name="hub-363"/> McCain fractured both arms and a leg ejecting from the aircraft,<ref name=Dobbs/> and nearly drowned when he parachuted into [[Truc Bach Lake]].<ref name="az-pow"/> Some North Vietnamese pulled him ashore, then others crushed his shoulder with a rifle butt and bayoneted him.<ref name="az-pow"/> McCain was then transported to Hanoi's main [[Hoa Lo Prison]], nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton".<ref name="hub-363">Hubbell, ''P.O.W.'', 363.</ref>

[[Image:Vietcapturejm01.jpg|thumb|left|McCain being pulled from [[Truc Bach Lake]] in [[Hanoi]]<ref> [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.07736/enlarge?ID=ph0003001&page=1 "John McCain (center) being captured by Vietnamese civilians in Truc Bach Lake near Hanoi Vietnam"], [[Library of Congress]] ([[2004-05-26]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-28]].</ref> on October 26, 1967]]
Although McCain was badly wounded, his captors refused to treat his injuries, beating and interrogating him to get information; he was given medical care only when the North Vietnamese discovered that his father was a top admiral.<ref name="hub-364">Hubbell, ''P.O.W.'', 364.</ref> His status as a [[prisoner of war]] (POW) made the front pages of major newspapers.<ref name="nyt102867j">[[R. W. Apple, Jr.|Apple Jr., R. W.]] [http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/flash/politics/20080203_MCCAIN_TIMELINE/content/pdf/19671028.pdf "Adm. McCain's son, Forrestal Survivor, Is Missing in Raid"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[1967-10-28]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-11]].</ref><ref> [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/165690022.html?dids=165690022:165690022&FMT=ABS&FMTS= "Admiral's Son Captured in Hanoi Raid"], [[Associated Press]] via ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[1967-10-28]]). Retrieved [[2008-02-09]] (fee required for full text).</ref>

McCain spent six weeks in the hospital while receiving marginal care.<ref name="az-pow"/> By then having lost {{convert|50|lb|kg|0}}, in a chest cast, and with his hair turned white,<ref name="az-pow"/> McCain was sent to a different camp on the outskirts of Hanoi<ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 83.</ref> in December 1967, into a cell with two other Americans who did not expect him to live a week.<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 54.</ref> In March 1968, McCain was put into [[solitary confinement]], where he would remain for two years.<ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 89.</ref>

In mid-1968, [[John S. McCain, Jr.]] was named commander of all U.S. forces in the Vietnam theater, and the North Vietnamese offered McCain early release<ref name="hub-451">Hubbell, ''P.O.W.'', 450–451.</ref> because they wanted to appear merciful for [[propaganda]] purposes,<ref>Rochester and Kiley, ''Honor Bound'', 363.</ref> and also to show other POWs that elite prisoners were willing to be treated preferentially.<ref name="hub-451"/> McCain turned down the offer; he would only accept repatriation if every man taken in before him was released as well. Such early release was prohibited by the POW's interpretation of the military [[Code of the U.S. Fighting Force|Code of Conduct]]: To prevent the enemy from using prisoners for propaganda, officers were to agree to be released in the order in which they were captured.<ref name="az-pow"/>

In August 1968, a program of severe torture began on McCain.<ref name="hub-453">Hubbell, ''P.O.W.'', 452–454.</ref> He was subjected to rope bindings and repeated beatings every two hours, at the same time as he was suffering from [[dysentery]].<ref name="az-pow"/><ref name="hub-453"/> Further injuries led to the beginning of a suicide attempt, stopped by guards.<ref name="az-pow"/> After four days, McCain made an anti-American propaganda "confession".<ref name="az-pow"/> He has always felt that his statement was dishonorable, but as he later wrote, "I had learned what we all learned over there: Every man has his breaking point. I had reached mine."<ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 95, 118.</ref><ref name="usnwr73">McCain, John. [http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/world/2008/01/28/john-mccain-prisoner-of-war-a-first-person-account.html "How the POW's Fought Back"], ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' ([[1973-05-14]]), reposted in 2008 under title "John McCain, Prisoner of War: A First-Person Account". Retrieved [[2008-01-29]]. Reprinted in ''Reporting Vietnam, Part Two: American Journalism 1969–1975'', [[The Library of America]], 434–463 (1998). ISBN 1-883011-59-0.</ref> Many American POWs were tortured and maltreated in order to extract "confessions" and propaganda statements;<ref>Hubbell, ''P.O.W.'', 288–306.</ref> virtually all of them eventually yielded something to their captors.<ref>Hubbell, ''P.O.W.'', 548–549.</ref> He subsequently received two to three beatings weekly because of his continued refusal to sign additional statements.<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 60.</ref> Former prison officials have denied that American POWs were tortured,<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/14/uselections2008-johnmccain McCain was not tortured, PoW guard claims], ''The Guardian'', October 14 2008</ref> which contradicts prisoners' personal experiences.<!--"Such denials fly in the face of the personal experiences of McCain and many of his fellow POWs."--><ref name=Dobbs>Dobbs, Michael. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/04/AR2008100402351.html?hpid=topnews “In Ordeal as Captive, Character Was Shaped”,] ''[[Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-10-05]])</ref>

[[Image:John McCain interview on April 24, 1974.jpg|thumb|Interview with McCain on April 24, 1973, after his return home]]
McCain refused to meet with various anti-war groups seeking peace in Hanoi, wanting to give neither them nor the North Vietnamese a propaganda victory.<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 64.</ref> From late 1969 onward, treatment of McCain and many of the other POWs became more tolerable,<ref>Rochester and Kiley, ''Honor Bound'', 489–491.</ref> while McCain continued actively to resist the camp authorities.<ref>Rochester and Kiley, ''Honor Bound'', 510, 537.</ref> McCain and other prisoners cheered the [[Operation Linebacker II|U.S. "Christmas Bombing" campaign]] of December 1972, viewing it as a forceful measure to push North Vietnam to terms.<ref name="usnwr73"/><ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 106–107.</ref>

Altogether, McCain was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for five and a half years. He was released on March 14, 1973.<ref name="nyt031573">Sterba, James. [http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/flash/politics/20080203_MCCAIN_TIMELINE/content/pdf/19730315.pdf "P.O.W. Commander Among 108 Freed"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[1973-03-15]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-28]].</ref> His wartime injuries left McCain permanently incapable of raising his arms above his head.<ref name="vf0207">[[Todd S. Purdum|Purdum, Todd]]. [http://www.vanityfair.com./politics/features/2007/02/mccain200702 "Prisoner of Conscience"], ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'', February 2007. Retrieved [[2008-01-19]].</ref>

===Commanding officer, liaison to Senate, and second marriage===
[[Early life and military career of John McCain#Return to United States|McCain's return]] to the United States reunited him with his family. His wife [[Carol McCain|Carol]] had suffered her own crippling ordeal due to an automobile accident in December 1969.<ref name="az-return"/> McCain became a celebrity of sorts, as a returned POW.<ref name="az-return">Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter4.html "John McCain Report: Back in the USA"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-10]].</ref>

McCain underwent treatment for his injuries, including months of grueling [[physical therapy]],<ref name="Kristof">[[Nicholas Kristof|Kristof, Nicholas]]. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B02EFDF1439F934A15751C0A9669C8B63 "P.O.W. to Power Broker, A Chapter Most Telling"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2000-02-27]]). Retrieved [[2007-04-22]].</ref> and attended the [[National War College]] at [[Fort McNair]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] during 1973–1974.<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 81.</ref> Having been rehabilitated, by late 1974, McCain had his flight status reinstated, and in 1976 he became [[Commanding Officer|commanding officer]] of a training squadron stationed in Florida.<ref name="az-return"/><ref name="dict-va174">[http://www.history.navy.mil/download/va154174.pdf ''Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons''], Volume 1, [[Naval Historical Center]]. Retrieved [[2008-05-19]].</ref> He improved the unit's flight readiness and safety records,<ref>Vartabedian, Ralph. [http://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/14/nation/na-mccainsquadron14 "McCain has long relied on his grit"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' ([[2008-04-14]]). Retrieved [[2008-09-02]].</ref> and won the squadron its first-ever [[Meritorious Unit Commendation]].<ref name="dict-va174"/> During this period in Florida, McCain had extramarital affairs, and the McCains' marriage began to falter, for which he later would accept blame.<ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 123–124.</ref><ref name="az-arizona" />

[[Early life and military career of John McCain#Senate liaison and second marriage|McCain served as the Navy's liaison]] to the U.S. Senate beginning in 1977.<ref name=Frantz>Frantz, Douglas, [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9404E5DD1430F932A15751C0A9669C8B63 "The 2000 Campaign: The Arizona Ties; A Beer Baron and a Powerful Publisher Put McCain on a Political Path"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', A14 ([[2000-02-21]]). Retrieved [[2006-11-29]].</ref> In retrospect, he has said that this represented his "real entry into the world of politics and the beginning of my second career as a public servant."<ref name="az-return"/> His key behind-the-scenes role gained congressional financing for a new [[supercarrier]] against the wishes of the [[Carter administration]].<ref name="Kristof"/><ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 132–134.</ref>

In April 1979,<ref name="Kristof"/> McCain met [[Cindy McCain|Cindy Lou Hensley]], a teacher from [[Phoenix, Arizona]], whose [[Jim Hensley|father]] had founded [[Hensley & Co.|a large beer distributorship]].<ref name="az-arizona">Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter5.html "John McCain Report: Arizona, the early years"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Regarding his first marriage, McCain said that he "had not shown the same determination to rebuild (his) personal life" as he had shown in his military career, and that "marriages can be hard to recover after great time and distance have separated a husband and wife. We are different people when we reunite... But my marriage's collapse was attributable to my own selfishness and immaturity more than it was to Vietnam, and I cannot escape blame by pointing a finger at the war. The blame was entirely mine." Retrieved [[2007-11-21]].</ref> They began dating, and he urged his wife Carol to grant him a divorce, which she did in February 1980, with the uncontested divorce taking effect in April 1980.<ref name="alexander-92"/><ref name="Kristof"/> The settlement included two houses, and financial support for her ongoing medical treatments due to her 1969 car accident; they would remain on good terms.<ref name="az-arizona"/> McCain and Hensley were married on May 17, 1980, with Senators [[William Cohen]] and [[Gary Hart]] attending as [[Participants in wedding ceremonies#Groomsmen|groomsmen]].<ref name="dmr-mccain"/><ref name="az-arizona"/> McCain’s children did not attend, and several years would pass before they reconciled.<ref name="nyt122707" /><ref name="Kristof" /> John and Cindy McCain entered into a [[prenuptial agreement]] that kept most of her family's assets under her name; they would always keep their finances apart and file separate [[Tax return (United States)|income tax returns]].<ref name="ap041808">[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/18/politics/main4027276.shtml "McCain Releases His Tax Returns"], [[Associated Press]] for [[CBS News]] ([[2008-04-18]]). Retrieved [[2008-04-24]].</ref>

McCain decided to leave the Navy. It was doubtful whether he would ever be promoted to the rank of [[Admiral (United States)|full admiral]], as he had poor annual physicals and had been given no major sea command.<ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 135.</ref> His chances of being promoted to [[Rear admiral (United States)#Rear Admiral (lower half)|rear admiral]] were better, but McCain declined that prospect, as he had already made plans to run for Congress and said he could "do more good there."<ref name="Kirkpatrick">Kirkpatrick, David. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/us/politics/29mccain.html "Senate's Power and Allure Drew McCain From Military "], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-05-29]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-29]].</ref><ref name="wapo101308">Leahy, Michael. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/12/AR2008101202306.html "Seeing White House From a Cell in Hanoi"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-10-13]]). Retrieved [[2008-10-17]].</ref> McCain retired from the Navy on April 1, 1981<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 93.</ref> as a [[Captain (United States)#United States Navy, Coast Guard, and uniformed services|captain]].<ref name="ap050708"/> He was designated as disabled and awarded a [[veteran's pension|disability pension]].<ref>Vartabedian, Ralph. [http://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/22/nation/na-pension22 "John McCain gets tax-free disability pension"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' ([[2008-04-22]]).</ref> Upon leaving the military, he moved to Arizona. His 17 military awards and decorations include the [[Silver Star]], [[Legion of Merit]], [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]], [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] and [[Navy Commendation Medal]], for actions before, during, and after his time as a POW.<ref name="ap050708">Kuhnhenn, Jim. [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/05/07/navy_releases_mccains_military_record/ "Navy releases McCain's military record"], [[Associated Press]] via ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' ([[2008-05-07]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-25]].</ref>

==House and Senate elections and career, 1982–2000==
{{main|House and Senate career of John McCain, 1982–2000}}
{{see also|Electoral history of John McCain}}

===U.S. Congressman ===
[[House and Senate career of John McCain, 1982–2000#U.S. Congressman|McCain set his sights on becoming a Congressman]] because he was interested in current events, was ready for a new challenge, and had developed political ambitions during his time as Senate liaison.<ref name="az-arizona" /><ref>Gilbertson, Dawn. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/mccain/articles/2007/01/23/20070123biz-hensley.html "McCain, his wealth tied to wife's family beer business"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-01-23]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref><ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 139.</ref> Living in Phoenix, he went to work for [[Hensley & Co.]], his new father-in-law [[Jim Hensley]]'s large [[Anheuser-Busch]] beer distributorship.<ref name="az-arizona"/> As Vice President of Public Relations at the distributorship, he gained political support among the local business community, meeting powerful figures such as banker [[Charles Keating, Jr.]], real estate developer [[Fife Symington III]] and newspaper publisher Darrow "Duke" Tully.<ref name=Frantz /><ref>Symington would become Governor of Arizona in 1991.</ref> In 1982, McCain ran as a Republican for an open seat in [[Arizona's 1st congressional district]].<ref>Thornton, Mary. [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/127774772.html?dids=127774772:127774772&FMT=ABS&FM "Arizona 1st District John McCain"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[1982-12-16]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> A newcomer to the state, McCain was hit with repeated charges of being a [[carpetbagger]].<ref name="az-arizona"/> McCain responded to a voter making that charge with what a ''[[Phoenix Gazette]]'' columnist would later describe as "the most devastating response to a potentially troublesome political issue I've ever heard":<ref name="az-arizona"/>

{{quote|"Listen, pal. I spent 22&nbsp;years in the Navy. My father was in the Navy. My grandfather was in the Navy. We in the military service tend to move a lot. We have to live in all parts of the country, all parts of the world. I wish I could have had the luxury, like you, of growing up and living and spending my entire life in a nice place like the First District of Arizona, but I was doing other things. As a matter of fact, when I think about it now, the place I lived longest in my life was Hanoi."<ref name="az-arizona"/><ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 143–144.</ref>}}

With the assistance of local political endorsements, his Washington connections, as well as money that his wife lent to his campaign,<ref name=Frantz /> McCain won a highly contested primary election.<ref name="az-arizona"/> He then easily won the general election in the heavily Republican district.<ref name="az-arizona"/>

In 1983, McCain was elected to lead the incoming group of Republican representatives,<ref name="az-arizona"/> and was assigned to the [[United States House Committee on Natural Resources|House Committee on Interior Affairs]]. Also that year, he opposed creation of a federal [[Martin Luther King, Jr. Day]], but admitted in 2008: "I was wrong and eventually realized that, in time to give full support [in 1990] for a state holiday in Arizona."<ref> [http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/04/03/mccain-clinton-head-to-memphis-for-mlk-anniversary/ "McCain, Clinton Head to Memphis for MLK Anniversary"], Washington Wire (blog), ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' ([[2008-04-03]]). Retrieved [[2008-04-17]].</ref><ref> [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/04/AR2008040401741.html "McCain Remarks on Dr. King and Civil Rights"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-04-04]]): "We can be slow as well to give greatness its due, a mistake I made myself long ago when I voted against a federal holiday in memory of Dr. King. I was wrong and eventually realized that, in time to give full support for a state holiday in Arizona." Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref>

McCain's politics at this point were mainly in line with President [[Ronald Reagan]], including support for [[Reaganomics]], and he was active on Indian Affairs bills.<ref name="alex-99">Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 98–99, 104.</ref> He supported most aspects of the [[foreign policy of the Reagan administration]], including its [[Foreign policy of the Reagan administration#Cold War|hardline stance against the Soviet Union]] and [[Foreign policy of the Reagan administration#Nicaragua and Latin America|policy towards Central American conflicts]], such as backing the [[Contras]] in [[Nicaragua]].<ref name="alex-99"/> McCain opposed keeping U.S. Marines [[Multinational Force in Lebanon|deployed in Lebanon]] citing unattainable objectives, and subsequently criticized President Reagan for pulling out the troops too late; in the interim, the [[1983 Beirut barracks bombing]] killed hundreds.<ref name="az-arizona"/><ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 100.</ref> McCain won re-election to the House easily in 1984,<ref name="az-arizona"/> and gained a spot on the [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs|House Foreign Affairs Committee]].<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 100–101.</ref> In 1985, he made his first return trip to Vietnam,<ref>Tapper, Jake. [http://archive.salon.com/politics2000/feature/2000/04/27/mccain/index.html "McCain returns to the past"], ''[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]'' ([[2000-04-27]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-21]].</ref> and also traveled to [[Chile]] where he met with its military [[Government Junta of Chile (1973)|junta]] ruler, General [[Augusto Pinochet]].<ref>Reinhard, Beth. [http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/10/blog-mccain-met.html "Blog: McCain met with Pinochet"], Naked Politics, ''[[Miami Herald]]'' ([[2008-10-24]]). Retrieved [[2008-11-01]].</ref><ref name="dinges">[[John Dinges|Dinges, John]]. [http://ciperchile.cl/2008/10/24/la-desconocida-cita-entre-john-mccain-y-pinochet/ "CIPER Chile » Blog Archive » La desconocida cita entre John McCain y Pinochet"], ''[[Centro de Investigación e Información Periodística]]'' ([[2008-10-24]]). Retrieved [[2008-10-24]]. This source is in the Spanish language.</ref><ref name="lostiempos">[http://www.lostiempos.com/noticias/25-10-08/internacional.php "Revelan inédita cita entre McCain y Pinochet en 1985"], ''[[Los Tiempos]]'' ([[2008-10-25]]). Retrieved [[2008-10-25]]. This source is in the Spanish language.</ref>

===Growing family===
In 1984 McCain and his wife Cindy had their first child together, daughter [[Meghan McCain|Meghan]]. She was followed two years later by son John Sidney McCain IV (known as Jack), and in 1988 by son James (Jimmy).<ref name="nyt-bio">"[http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/john_mccain/ John McCain]", ''[[The New York Times]]'' website. Retrieved 2008-10-08.</ref> In 1991, Cindy McCain brought an abandoned three-month old girl needing medical treatment to the U.S. from a [[Bangladesh]]i orphanage run by [[Mother Teresa]].<ref name="alex-147">Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 147.</ref> The McCains decided to adopt her, and named her Bridget.<ref name="dad060400">Strong, Morgan. [http://www.dadmag.com/archive/060400jmccain.php "Senator John McCain talks about the challenges of fatherhood"], Dadmag.com ([[2000-06-04]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-19]].</ref>

===First two terms in U.S. Senate===
[[House and Senate career of John McCain, 1982–2000#U.S. Senator|McCain's Senate career began]] in January 1987, after he defeated his Democratic opponent, former state legislator [[Richard Kimball]], by 20&nbsp;percentage points in the 1986 election.<ref name=Frantz /><ref name="az-senate"/> McCain succeeded longtime [[Conservatism in the United States|American conservative]] icon and Arizona fixture [[Barry Goldwater]] upon the latter's retirement as [[List of United States Senators from Arizona|United States Senator from Arizona]].<ref name="az-senate">Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter6.html "John McCain Report: The Senate calls"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-23]].</ref>

[[Image:Reagans with John McCain 1987.jpg|thumb|McCain meeting President [[Ronald Reagan]] with First Lady [[Nancy Reagan]] at left, March 1987]]
Senator McCain became a member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Armed Services Committee]], with which he had formerly done his Navy liaison work; he also joined the [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation|Commerce Committee]] and the [[United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs|Indian Affairs Committee]].<ref name="az-senate"/> McCain continued to support the [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] agenda.<ref name="Barone112">[[Michael Barone (pundit)|Barone, Michael]]; Ujifusa, Grant; [[Richard E. Cohen|Cohen, Richard E.]] ''[[The Almanac of American Politics|The Almanac of American Politics, 2000]]'' (National Journal 1999), 112. ISBN 0-8129-3194-7.</ref> As first a House member and then a senator – and as a life-long gambler with close ties to the [[gambling]] industry<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/us/politics/28gambling-web.html|title=For McCain and Team, a Host of Ties to Gambling |last=Becker|first=Jo|coauthors=Van Natta, Dan|date=September 27, 2008 |publisher=New York Times|accessdate=2008-09-29}}</ref> – McCain was one of the main authors of the 1988 [[Indian Gaming Regulatory Act]],<ref name="nigc">Johnson, Tadd. "[http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/17932/1/ar980140.pdf Regulatory Issues and Impacts of Gaming in Indian Country"], ''Increasing Understanding of Public Problems and Policies: Proceedings of the 1998 National Public Policy Education Conference'', 140–144 (September 1998).</ref><ref name="Sweeney">Sweeney, James. [http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060911/news_1n11gaming.html "New rules on Indian gaming face longer odds"], ''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]'' ([[2006-09-11]]). Retrieved [[2008-07-01]].</ref> which codified rules regarding [[Native American gambling enterprises]].<ref name="mason">Mason, W. Dale. ''Indian Gaming: Tribal Sovereignty and American Politics'' ([[University of Oklahoma Press]] 2000), 60–64. ISBN 0-806-13260-4.</ref> McCain was also a strong supporter of the [[Gramm-Rudman]] legislation that enforced automatic spending cuts in the case of budget deficits.<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 112.</ref>

McCain soon gained national visibility. He delivered a well-received speech at the [[1988 Republican National Convention]], was mentioned by the press as a [[short list]] vice-presidential running mate for Republican nominee [[George H. W. Bush]], and was named chairman of Veterans for Bush.<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 115–120.</ref><ref name="az-senate"/>

[[House and Senate career of John McCain, 1982–2000#Keating Five Scandal|McCain became enmeshed in a scandal]] during the 1980s as one of five United States Senators comprising the so-called [[Keating Five]].<ref name="NYTKeating">Abramson, Jill; Mitchell, Alison. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F05E7D9123CF932A15752C1A96F958260 "Senate Inquiry In Keating Case Tested McCain"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[1999-11-21]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> Between 1982 and 1987, McCain had received $112,000 in lawful<ref name="nyt-sen-eth"/> political contributions from [[Charles Keating Jr.]] and his associates at [[Lincoln Savings and Loan Association]], along with trips on Keating's jets<ref name="NYTKeating" /> that McCain belatedly repaid in 1989.<ref>Rasky, Susan. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE6DF1031F931A15751C1A96F948260 "To Senator McCain, the Savings and Loan Affair Is Now a Personal Demon"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[1989-12-22]]). Retrieved [[2008-04-19]].</ref> In 1987, McCain was one of the five senators whom Keating contacted in order to prevent the government's seizure of Lincoln, and McCain met twice with federal regulators to discuss the government's investigation of Lincoln.<ref name="NYTKeating" /> In 1999, McCain said: "The appearance of it was wrong. It's a wrong appearance when a group of senators appear in a meeting with a group of regulators, because it conveys the impression of undue and improper influence. And it was the wrong thing to do."<ref name="az-keating"/> In the end, McCain was cleared by the [[Senate Ethics Committee]] of acting improperly or violating any law or Senate rule, but was mildly rebuked for exercising "poor judgment".<ref name="az-keating">Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter7.html "John McCain Report: The Keating Five"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieval date [[2007-11-23]].</ref><ref name="nyt-sen-eth"> [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2D71539F93BA15751C0A967958260 "Excerpts of Statement By Senate Ethics Panel"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[1991-02-28]]). Retrieved [[2008-04-19]].</ref> In his 1992 re-election bid, the Keating Five affair was not a major issue,<ref name="az-rebound">Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter8.html "John McCain Report: Overcoming scandal, moving on"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-23]].</ref> and he won handily, gaining 56&nbsp;percent of the vote to defeat Democratic community and [[civil rights]] activist Claire Sargent and independent former Governor [[Evan Mecham]].<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 150–151.</ref>

[[Image:Bath1.jpg|thumb|left|The 1992 christening of [[USS John S. McCain (DDG-56)|USS ''John S. McCain'']] at [[Bath Iron Works]], with his mother [[Roberta McCain|Roberta]], son Jack, daughter Meghan, and wife [[Cindy McCain|Cindy]]]]
[[House and Senate career of John McCain, 1982–2000#A "maverick" senator|McCain developed a reputation for independence]] during the 1990s.<ref name="wapo070598">Dan Balz, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/wh070598.htm "McCain Weighs Options Amid Setbacks"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[1998-07-05]]) Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> He took pride in challenging party leadership and establishment forces, becoming difficult to categorize politically.<ref name="wapo070598"/>

As a member of the 1991–1993 [[Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs]], chaired by Democrat and fellow Vietnam War veteran [[John Kerry]], McCain investigated the fate of U.S. service personnel listed as [[missing in action]] during the Vietnam War.<ref name="alex-152">Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 152–154.</ref> The committee's unanimous report stated there was "no compelling evidence that proves that any American remains alive in captivity in Southeast Asia."<ref>[http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/1993_rpt/pow-exec.html Report of the Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs], [[U.S. Senate]] ([[1993-01-13]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-03]].</ref> Helped by McCain's efforts, in 1995 the U.S. normalized diplomatic relations with Vietnam.<ref name="time072495">Walsh, James. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983202,00.html "Good Morning, Vietnam"], [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] ([[1995-07-24]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-05]].</ref> McCain was vilified by some POW/MIA activists who, unlike the Arizona senator, believed large numbers of Americans were still held against their will in Southeast Asia.<ref name="time072495"/><ref name="alex-170">Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 170–171.</ref><ref name="bg062103">Farrell, John. [http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/062103.shtml "At the center of power, seeking the summit"], ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' ([[2003-06-21]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-05]].</ref> Since January 1993, McCain has been Chairman of the [[International Republican Institute]], an organization partly funded by the U.S. Government that supports the emergence of political [[democracy]] worldwide.<ref>McIntire, Mike. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/us/politics/28IRI.html "Democracy Group Gives Donors Access to McCain"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-07-28]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-16]].</ref>

In 1993 and 1994, McCain voted to confirm President Clinton's nominees [[Stephen Breyer]] and [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]] whom he considered to be qualified for the [[U.S. Supreme Court]]. He would later explain that "under our Constitution, it is the president's call to make."<ref>Eilperin, Juliet. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/05/06/_winstonsalem_ncforeshadowing.html "McCain Sees Roberts, Alito as Examples"], The Trail; A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008, via [[washingtonpost.com]] ([[2008-05-06]]). Retrieved [[2008-07-26]].</ref> McCain had also voted to confirm nominees of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, including [[Robert Bork]] and [[Clarence Thomas]].<ref> Curry, Tom. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18337220/ "McCain takes grim message to South Carolina"], [[MSNBC]] ([[2007-04-26]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-27]].</ref>

McCain attacked what he saw as the corrupting influence of large political contributions&nbsp;– from corporations, labor unions, other organizations, and wealthy individuals&nbsp;– and he made this his signature issue.<ref name="az-maverick">Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter9.html "John McCain Report: McCain becomes the 'maverick'"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-19]].</ref> Starting in 1994, he worked with Democratic Wisconsin Senator [[Russ Feingold]] on [[campaign finance reform]]; their McCain-Feingold bill attempted to put limits on "[[soft money]]".<ref name="az-maverick"/> The efforts of McCain and Feingold were opposed by some of the moneyed interests targeted, by incumbents in both parties, by those who felt spending limits impinged on free political speech and might be unconstitutional as well, and by those who wanted to counterbalance the power of what they saw as media bias.<ref name="az-maverick"/><ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 190.</ref> Despite sympathetic coverage in the media, initial versions of the [[McCain-Feingold Act]] were [[filibuster]]ed and never came to a vote.<ref name="m-b">Maisel, Louis and Buckley, Kara. ''Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process'', 163–166 (Rowman & Littlefield 2004). ISBN 0-742-52670-4.</ref>

The term "[[wikt:maverick|maverick]] Republican" became a label frequently applied to McCain, and he has also used it himself.<ref name="az-maverick"/><ref name=barone>[[Michael Barone (pundit)|Barone, Michael]]; [[Richard E. Cohen|Cohen, Richard E.]] ''[[The Almanac of American Politics|The Almanac of American Politics, 2006]]'' (National Journal 2005), 93–98. ISBN 0-892-34112-2.</ref><ref>McCain, ''Worth the Fighting For'', 327</ref> In 1993, McCain opposed [[Operation Gothic Serpent|military operations in Somalia]].<ref name="Jackson">Jackson, David. [http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-03-25-mccainforce_N.htm “McCain: Life shaped judgment on use of force”,] ''[[USA Today]]'' ([[2008-03-25]]).</ref> Another target of his was [[pork barrel]] spending by Congress, and he actively supported the [[Line Item Veto Act of 1996]], which gave the president power to veto individual spending items<ref name="az-maverick"/> but was ruled unconstitutional by the [[United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] in 1998.<ref>''[[Clinton v. City of New York]]'', 524 U.S. 417 (1998).</ref>

In the [[United States presidential election, 1996|1996 presidential election]], McCain was again on the [[short list]] of possible vice-presidential picks, this time for Republican nominee [[Bob Dole]].<ref name="alex-176">Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 176–180.</ref><ref name="az-rebound"/> The following year, [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] magazine named McCain as one of the "25 Most Influential People in America".<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,76392,00.html "Bio: Sen. John McCain"], [[Fox News]] ([[2003-01-23]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-11]].</ref>

[[Image:FaithOfMyFathers.jpg|thumb|McCain's 1999 family memoir]]
In 1997, McCain became chairman of the powerful Senate Commerce Committee; he was criticized for accepting funds from corporations and businesses under the committee's purview, but in response said the small contributions he received were not part of the big-money nature of the campaign finance problem.<ref name="az-maverick"/> McCain took on the [[tobacco industry]] in 1998, proposing legislation that would increase cigarette taxes in order to fund anti-smoking campaigns, discourage teenage smokers, increase money for health research studies, and help states pay for smoking-related health care costs.<ref name="az-maverick"/><ref name="alex-184">Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 184–187.</ref> Supported by the [[Clinton administration]] but opposed by the industry and most Republicans, the bill failed to gain [[cloture]].<ref name="alex-184"/>

=== Start of third term in the U.S. Senate===
McCain won re-election to a third senate term in November 1998, prevailing in a landslide over his Democratic opponent, environmental lawyer Ed Ranger.<ref name="az-maverick"/> In the February 1999 Senate trial in the [[impeachment of Bill Clinton]], McCain voted to convict the president on both the [[perjury]] and [[obstruction of justice]] counts, saying Clinton had violated his sworn oath of office.<ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 194–195.</ref> In March 1999, McCain voted to approve the [[1999 NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|NATO bombing campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]], saying that the ongoing genocide of the [[Kosovo War]] must be stopped and criticizing past Clinton administration inaction.<ref>McDonald, Greg. [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/218972.html "Senate OKs use of force in Balkans"], ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' ([[1999-03-23]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-05]].</ref> Later in 1999, McCain shared the [[Profile in Courage Award]] with Feingold for their work in trying to enact their campaign finance reform,<ref name="jfk-award"> [http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education+and+Public+Programs/Profile+in+Courage+Award/Award+Recipients/John+McCain/Award+Announcement.htm "U.S. Senators John McCain and Russell Feingold Share 10th John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award"], [[John F. Kennedy Library Foundation]] ([[1999-05-24]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-27]].</ref> although the bill was still failing repeated attempts to gain cloture.<ref name="m-b"/>

In August 1999, McCain's memoir ''[[Faith of My Fathers]]'', co-authored with [[Mark Salter]], was published;<ref name="az-2000" /> a reviewer observed that its appearance "seems to have been timed to the unfolding Presidential campaign."<ref>Bernstein, Richard. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E4D6153EF932A35753C1A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1 "Books of the Times; Standing Humbly Before a Noble Family Tradition"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[1999-10-01]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-11]].</ref> The most successful of his writings, it received positive reviews,<ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 194–195.</ref> became a bestseller,<ref>[http://booksandauthors.wiseto.com/bna/about_the_book/GALE|M1300097727 "Faith of My Fathers (1999)"] (IE only), Books and Authors. Retrieved [[2008-05-26]].</ref> and was later [[Faith of My Fathers (film)|made into a TV film]]. The book traces McCain's family background and childhood, covers his time at Annapolis and his service before and during the Vietnam War, concluding with his release from captivity in 1973. According to one reviewer, it describes "the kind of challenges that most of us can barely imagine. It's a fascinating history of a remarkable military family."<ref>Knickerbocker, Brad. [http://www.csmonitor.com/1999/0916/p16s2.html "From a Vietnam Prison to the United States Senate"], ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' ([[1999-09-16]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-27]].</ref>

==2000 presidential campaign==
{{Main|John McCain presidential campaign, 2000}}
McCain announced his candidacy for president on September 27, 1999 in [[Nashua, New Hampshire]], saying he was staging "a fight to take our government back from the power brokers and special interests, and return it to the people and the noble cause of freedom it was created to serve".<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/09/27/president.2000/mccain/ "McCain formally kicks off campaign"], [[CNN]] ([[1999-09-27]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-27]].</ref><ref name="az-2000"/> The leader for the Republican nomination was [[Governor of Texas|Texas Governor]] [[George W. Bush]], who had the political and financial support of most of the party establishment.<ref name="nyt092799"> Bruni, Frank. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2D91E3FF934A1575AC0A96F958260 "Quayle, Outspent by Bush, Will Quit Race, Aide Says"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2000-09-27]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-27]].</ref>

McCain focused on the [[New Hampshire primary]], where his message appealed to independents.<ref name="alex-188">Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 188–189.</ref> He traveled on a [[campaign bus]] called the Straight Talk Express.<ref name="az-2000"/> He held many [[town hall meeting]]s, answering every question voters asked, in a successful example of "retail politics", and he used free media to compensate for his lack of funds.<ref name="az-2000"/> One reporter later recounted that, "McCain talked all day long with reporters on his Straight Talk Express bus; he talked so much that sometimes he said things that he shouldn't have, and that's why the media loved him."<ref name="harpaz">Harpaz, Beth. ''The Girls in the Van: Covering Hillary'', 86 (St. Martin's Press 2001). ISBN 0-312-30271-1.</ref> On February 1, 2000, he won New Hampshire's primary with 49&nbsp;percent of the vote to Bush's 30&nbsp;percent. The Bush campaign and the Republican establishment feared that a McCain victory in the crucial [[South Carolina primary]] might give his campaign unstoppable momentum.<ref name="nat021000">[[David Corn|Corn, David]]. [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20000228/corn "The McCain Insurgency"], ''[[The Nation]]'' ([[2000-02-10]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref><ref name="az-2000"/>

''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' would write that the McCain–Bush primary contest in South Carolina "has entered national political lore as a low-water mark in presidential campaigns", while ''[[The New York Times]]'' called it "a painful symbol of the brutality of American politics".<ref name="az-2000"/><ref name="nyt101907"> Steinhauer, Jennifer. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/us/politics/19mccain.html "Confronting Ghosts of 2000 in South Carolina"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2007-10-19]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-07]].</ref><ref name="dp2008">[http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/401/index.html "Dirty Politics 2008"], ''[[NOW (TV series)|NOW]]'', [[PBS]] ([[2008-01-04]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-06]].</ref> A variety of interest groups that McCain had challenged in the past ran negative ads.<ref name="az-2000"/><ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 254–255, 262–263.</ref> Bush borrowed McCain's earlier language of reform,<ref name="nyt021000">Mitchell, Alison. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE3D8133EF933A25751C0A9669C8B63 "Bush and McCain Exchange Sharp Words Over Fund-Raising"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2000-02-10]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-07]].</ref> and declined to dissociate himself from a veterans activist who accused McCain (in Bush's presence) of having "abandoned the veterans" on POW/MIA and [[Agent Orange]] issues.<ref name="az-2000"> Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter10.html "John McCain Report: The 'maverick' runs"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-27]].</ref><ref name="alex-250">Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 250–251.</ref>

[[Image:McCainGallupPollRatings.PNG|thumb|330px|John McCain's [[Gallup Poll]] favorable/unfavorable ratings, 1999–2008<ref name="gallup-chart">Data for table is from [http://www.gallup.com/poll/1618/Favorability-People-News.aspx "Favorability: People in the News: John McCain"], [[The Gallup Organization]], 2008. Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref>]]Incensed,<ref name="alex-250"/> McCain ran ads accusing Bush of lying and comparing the governor to [[Bill Clinton]], which Bush said was "about as low a blow as you can give in a Republican primary".<ref name="az-2000"/> An anonymous smear campaign began against McCain, delivered by [[push poll]]s, faxes, e-mails, flyers, and audience [[plant (person)|plants]].<ref name="az-2000"/><ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 263–266.</ref> The smears claimed that McCain had fathered a black child out of wedlock (the McCains' dark-skinned daughter was adopted from [[Bangladesh]]), that his wife Cindy was a drug addict, that he was a homosexual, and that he was a "[[The Manchurian Candidate|Manchurian Candidate]]" who was either a traitor or mentally unstable from his North Vietnam POW days.<ref name="az-2000"/><ref name="nyt101907"/> The Bush campaign strongly denied any involvement with the attacks.<ref name="nyt101907"/>

McCain lost South Carolina on February 19, with 42&nbsp;percent of the vote to Bush's 53&nbsp;percent,<ref name="iht022100"> Knowlton, Brian. [http://www.iht.com/articles/2000/02/21/carolina.2.t_1.php "McCain Licks Wounds After South Carolina Rejects His Candidacy"], ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'' ([[2000-02-21]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref> in part because Bush mobilized the state's evangelical voters<ref name="az-2000"/><ref name="aap-08-p96">[[Michael Barone (pundit)|Barone, Michael]] and [[Richard E. Cohen|Cohen, Richard]]. ''[[The Almanac of American Politics|The Almanac of American Politics, 2008]]'', 96 ([[National Journal]] 2008). ISBN 0892341173.</ref> and outspent McCain.<ref name="nyt021600"> Mitchell, Alison. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401EED71231F935A25751C0A9669C8B63 "McCain Catches Mud, Then Parades It"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2000-02-16]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-01]].</ref> The win allowed Bush to regain lost momentum.<ref name="iht022100"/> McCain would say of the rumor spreaders, "I believe that there is a special place in hell for people like those."<ref name="dad060400"/> According to one report, the South Carolina experience left McCain in a "very dark place".<ref name="nyt101907"/>

McCain's campaign never completely recovered from his South Carolina defeat, although he did rebound partially by winning in [[Arizona]] and [[Michigan]] a few days later.<ref name="cnn022200"> McCaleb, Ian Christopher. [http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/02/22/gop.wrap/index.html "McCain recovers from South Carolina disappointment, wins in Arizona, Michigan"], [[CNN]] ([[2000-02-22]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-30]].</ref> He made a speech in [[Virginia Beach]] that criticized Christian leaders, including [[Pat Robertson]] and [[Jerry Falwell]], as divisive conservatives,<ref name="nyt101907"/> declaring "...&nbsp;we embrace the fine members of the religious conservative community. But that does not mean that we will pander to their self-appointed leaders."<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904EFDE1239F93AA15751C0A9669C8B63 "Excerpt From McCain's Speech on Religious Conservatives"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2000-02-29]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-30]].</ref> McCain lost the [[Virginia]] primary on February 29,<ref> Rothernberg, Stuart. [http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/analysis/rothenberg/2000/03/01/ "Stuart Rothernberg: Bush Roars Back; McCain's Hopes Dim"], [[CNN]] ([[2000-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-30]].</ref> and on March 7 lost nine of the thirteen primaries on [[Super Tuesday]] to Bush.<ref> McCaleb, Ian Christopher. [http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/03/08/super.tuesday/index.html "Gore, Bush post impressive Super Tuesday victories"], [[CNN]] ([[2000-03-08]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-30]].</ref> With little hope of overcoming Bush's delegate lead, McCain withdrew from the race on March 9, 2000.<ref> McCaleb, Ian Christopher. [http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/03/09/mccain.bradley/ "Bradley, McCain bow out of party races"], [[CNN]] ([[2000-03-09]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-30]].</ref> He endorsed Bush two months later,<ref> Marks, Peter. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F04E1DF123BF937A25756C0A9669C8B63 "A Ringing Endorsement for Bush"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2000-05-14]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-01]].</ref> and made occasional appearances with the Texas governor during the general election campaign.<ref name="az-2000"/>

==Senate career after 2000==
{{main|Senate career of John McCain, 2001–present}}

===Remainder of third Senate term===
McCain began 2001 by breaking with the new [[Presidency of George W. Bush|George W. Bush administration]] on a number of matters, including [[HMO]] reform, climate change, and gun legislation; [[Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act|McCain-Feingold]] was opposed by Bush as well.<ref name="az-gwb"> Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter11.html "John McCain Report: The 'maverick' and President Bush"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-27]].</ref><ref name="m-b"/> In May 2001, McCain was one of only two Senate Republicans to vote against the [[Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001|Bush tax cuts]].<ref name="az-gwb"/><ref name="pfspt">Holan, Angie. [http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/14/ "McCain switched on tax cuts"], Politifact, ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]''. Retrieved [[2007-12-27]].</ref> Besides the differences with Bush on ideological grounds, there was considerable antagonism between the two remaining from the previous year's campaign.<ref name="time071608">Carney, James. [http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1823695,00.html "Frenemies: The McCain-Bush Dance"], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' ([[2008-07-16]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-11]].</ref><ref>Drew, ''Citizen McCain'', 5.</ref> Later, when Republican Senator [[Jim Jeffords]] became an Independent, throwing control of the Senate to the Democrats, McCain defended Jeffords against "self-appointed enforcers of party loyalty".<ref name="az-gwb"/> Indeed, there was speculation at the time, and in years since, about McCain himself leaving the Republican Party, but McCain has always adamantly denied that he ever considered doing so.<ref>[[Thomas B. Edsall|Edsall, Thomas]] and [[Dana Milbank|Milbank, Dana]]. [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73520465.html?dids=73520465:73520465&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jun+2%2C+2001&author=Thomas+B.+Edsall+and+Dana+Milbank&pub=The+Washington+Post&edition=&startpage=A.01&desc=McCain+Is+Considering+Leaving+GOP "McCain Is Considering Leaving GOP: Arizona Senator Might Launch a Third-Party Challenge to Bush in 2004"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2001-06-02]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref><ref name="az-gwb"/><ref name="hill032807">Cusack, Bob. [http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/democrats-say-mccain-nearly-abandoned-gop-2007-03-28.html "Democrats say McCain nearly abandoned GOP"], ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]'' ([[2007-03-28]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-17]].</ref> Beginning in 2001, McCain used [[political capital]] gained from his presidential run, as well as improved legislative skills and relationships with other members, to become one of the Senate's most influential members.<ref>Kirkpatrick, David D. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/us/politics/21mccain.html "After 2000 Run, McCain Learned to Work Levers of Power"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-07-21]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-11]].</ref>

[[Image:John McCain pork.png|thumb|left|McCain's Senate web site from 2003 to 2006 illustrated his concern about [[pork barrel]] spending.<ref name="az-maverick" />]]
After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], McCain supported Bush and the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|U.S.-led war in Afghanistan]].<ref name="az-gwb"/><ref>McCain, John. [http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=95001375 "No Substitute for Victory: War is hell. Let's get on with it"], ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' ([[2001-10-26]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-17]].</ref> He and then-Democratic Senator [[Joe Lieberman]] wrote the legislation that created the [[9/11 Commission]],<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/09/07/911.legislation/index.html "Senate bill would implement 9/11 panel proposals"], [[CNN]] ([[2004-09-08]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-17]].</ref> while he and Democratic Senator [[Fritz Hollings]] co-sponsored the [[Aviation and Transportation Security Act]] that federalized [[airport security]].<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/october01/congress_10-12.html "Senate Approves Aviation Security, Anti-Terrorism Bills"], [[Online NewsHour]], [[PBS]] ([[2001-10-12]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-17]].</ref>

In March 2002, [[McCain-Feingold]] passed in both Houses of Congress and was signed into law by President Bush.<ref name="m-b"/><ref name="az-gwb"/> Seven years in the making, it was McCain's greatest legislative achievement.<ref name="az-gwb"/><ref>Alexander, ''Man of the People'', 168.</ref>

Meanwhile, in discussions over proposed U.S. action against [[Iraq]], McCain was a strong supporter of the Bush administration's position.<ref name="az-gwb"/> He stated that Iraq was "a clear and present danger to the United States of America", and voted accordingly for the [[Iraq Resolution|Iraq War Resolution]] in October 2002.<ref name="az-gwb"/> He predicted that U.S. forces would be treated as liberators by a large number of the Iraqi people.<ref> [http://web.archive.org/web/20070212233445/http://mccain.senate.gov/press_office/view_article.cfm?id=53 "Sen. McCain's Interview With Chris Matthews"], ''[[Hardball with Chris Matthews]]'', [[MSNBC]] ([[2003-03-12]]). Via McCain's Senate web site and archive.org. Retrieved [[2008-04-07]].</ref> In May 2003, McCain voted against the second round of Bush tax cuts, saying it was unwise at a time of war.<ref name="pfspt"/> By November 2003, after a trip to Iraq, he was publicly questioning Secretary of Defense [[Donald Rumsfeld]], saying that more U.S. troops were needed; the following year, McCain announced that he had lost confidence in Rumsfeld.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/july-dec03/mccain_11-06_a.html "Newsmaker: Sen. McCain"], [[PBS]], [[NewsHour]] ([[2003-11-06]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-17]].</ref><ref name="az-estab">Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter12.html "John McCain Report: The 'maverick' goes establishment"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-23]].</ref>

In October 2003, McCain and Lieberman co-sponsored the [[Climate Stewardship Acts|Climate Stewardship Act]] that would have introduced a [[cap and trade]] system aimed at returning [[greenhouse gases|greenhouse gas]] emissions to 2000 levels; the bill was defeated with 55&nbsp;votes to 43 in the Senate.<ref>[http://www.pewclimate.org/policy_center/analyses/s_139_summary.cfm "Summary of the Lieberman-McCain Climate Stewardship Act"], [[Pew Research Center|Pew Center on Global Climate Change]]. Retrieved [[2008-04-24]].</ref> They reintroduced modified versions of the Act two additional times, most recently in January 2007 with the co-sponsorship of [[Barack Obama]], among others.<ref>[http://lieberman.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=267559 "Lieberman, McCain Reintroduce Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act"], Lieberman Senate web site ([[2007-01-12]]). Retrieved [[2008-04-24]].</ref>

In the [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004 U.S. presidential election campaign]], McCain was once again frequently mentioned for the vice-presidential slot, only this time as part of the Democratic ticket under nominee [[John Kerry]].<ref> [http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-03-10-mccain-vp_x.htm "McCain: I'd 'entertain' Democratic VP slot"], [[Associated Press]] for ''[[USA Today]]'' ([[2004-03-10]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-06]].</ref><ref name="nyt061204">Halbfinger, David. [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/12/politics/campaign/12MCCA.html "McCain Is Said To Tell Kerry He Won't Join"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2004-06-12]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-03]].</ref><ref name="wapo061204"> Balz, Dan and VandeHei, Jim. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34742-2004Jun11.html "McCain's Resistance Doesn't Stop Talk of Kerry Dream Ticket"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2004-06-12]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-18]].</ref> McCain said that Kerry had never formally offered him the position and that he would not have accepted it if he had.<ref name="nyt061204"/><ref name="wapo061204"/><ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5225039 "Kerry wants to boost child-care credit"], [[Associated Press]] via [[MSNBC]] ([[2004-06-16]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-08]].</ref> At the [[2004 Republican National Convention]], McCain supported Bush for re-election, praising Bush's management of the [[War on Terror]] since the September&nbsp;11 attacks.<ref name="cnn083004">Loughlin, Sean. [http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/30/gop.mccain/index.html "McCain praises Bush as 'tested'"], [[CNN]] ([[2004-08-30]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-14]].</ref> At the same time, the Senator defended Kerry's Vietnam war record.<ref> Coile, Zachary. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/08/06/MNGUT83SS41.DTL "Vets group attacks Kerry; McCain defends Democrat"], ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' ([[2004-08-06]]). Retrieved [[2006-08-15]].</ref> By August 2004, McCain had the best favorable-to-unfavorable rating (55&nbsp;percent to 19&nbsp;percent) of any national politician;<ref name="cnn083004"/> he campaigned for Bush much more than he had four years previously, though the two remained situational allies rather than friends.<ref name="time071608"/>

McCain was also up for re-election as Senator in 2004. He defeated little-known Democratic schoolteacher [[Stuart Starky]] with his biggest margin of victory, garnering 77&nbsp;percent of the vote.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/AZ/S/01/epolls.0.html "Election 2004: U.S. Senate – Arizona – Exit Poll"], [[CNN]]. Retrieved [[2007-12-23]].</ref>

===Fourth Senate term===
[[Image:Jsm2.ogg|frame|Speaking on the Senate Floor against [[Earmark (politics)|earmarking]], February 2007]]
In May 2005, McCain led the so-called "[[Gang of 14]]" in the Senate, which established a compromise that preserved the ability of senators to filibuster judicial nominees, but only in "extraordinary circumstances".<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/05/23/filibuster.fight/ "Senators compromise on filibusters; Bipartisan group agrees to vote to end debate on 3 nominees"], [[CNN]] ([[2005-05-24]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-16]].</ref> The compromise took the steam out of the filibuster movement, but some Republicans remained disappointed that the compromise did not eliminate filibusters of judicial nominees in all circumstances.<ref>Hulse, Carl. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/politics/25judges.html "Distrust of McCain Lingers Over '05 Deal on Judges"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-02-25]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-16]].</ref> McCain subsequently cast [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] confirmation votes in favor of [[John G. Roberts, Jr.|John Roberts]] and [[Samuel Alito]], calling them "two of the finest justices ever appointed to the United States Supreme Court."<ref>Curry, Tom. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18337220/ "McCain takes grim message to South Carolina"], [[MSNBC]] ([[2007-04-26]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-27]].</ref>

Breaking from his 2001 and 2003 votes, McCain supported the [[Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005|Bush tax cut extension]] in May 2006, saying not to do so would amount to a tax increase.<ref name="pfspt"/> Working with Democratic Senator [[Ted Kennedy]], McCain was a strong proponent of comprehensive immigration reform, which would involve legalization, guest worker programs, and border enforcement components. The [[Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act]] was never voted on in 2005, while the [[Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006]] passed the Senate in May 2006 but failed in the House.<ref name="az-estab"/> In June 2007, President Bush, McCain, and others made the strongest push yet for such a bill, the [[Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007]], but it aroused intense grassroots opposition among talk radio listeners and others, some of whom furiously characterized the proposal as an "amnesty" program,<ref>Preston, Julia. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/washington/10oppose.html "Grass Roots Roared and Immigration Plan Collapsed"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2007-07-10]]). Retrieved [[2008-07-27]].</ref> and the bill twice failed to gain cloture in the Senate.<ref> [http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/immigration/why_the_senate_immigration_bill_failed "Why the Senate Immigration Bill Failed"], [[Rasmussen Reports]] ([[2007-06-08]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref>

By the mid-2000s, the increased [[Indian gaming]] that McCain had helped bring about was a $23&nbsp;billion industry.<ref name="Sweeney"/> He was twice chairman of the [[Senate Indian Affairs Committee]], in 1995–1997 and 2005–2007, and his Committee helped expose the [[Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal]].<ref>Schmidt, Susan; Grimaldi, James. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/22/AR2005062200921.html "Panel Says Abramoff Laundered Tribal Funds; McCain Cites Possible Fraud by Lobbyist"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2005-06-23]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref><ref>Anderson, John. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=L2eSq-e0aAUC&pg=PA254&dq=McCain+and+abramoff+and+%22Indian+Affairs+committee%22&ei=8t4kSNugE4XEyQTz3cGPCw&sig=7-Me0LtkOULMBlLHvAlP3qLrN4o Follow the Money]'' (Simon and Schuster 2007), 254. ISBN 0-743-28643-X.</ref> By 2005 and 2006, McCain was pushing for amendments to the [[Indian Gaming Regulatory Act]] that would limit creation of off-reservation casinos,<ref name="Sweeney"/> as well as limiting the movement of tribes across state lines to build casinos.<ref>Butterfield, Fox. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/08/national/08gamble.html Indians' Wish List: Big-City Sites for Casinos]", ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2005-04-08]]).</ref>

[[Image:McCainAndPetreaus.JPG|thumb|left|McCain in [[Baghdad]] with General [[David Petraeus]], November 2007]]
Owing to his time as a POW, McCain has been recognized for his sensitivity to the detention and interrogation of detainees in the [[War on Terrorism|War on Terror]]. In October 2005, McCain introduced the [[McCain Detainee Amendment]] to the Defense Appropriations bill for 2005, and the Senate voted 90–9 to support the amendment.<ref> [http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00249 "Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 1st Session on the Amendment (McCain Amdt. No. 1977)"], [[United States Senate]] ([[2005-10-05]]). Retrieved [[2006-08-15]].</ref> It prohibits inhumane treatment of prisoners, including prisoners at [[Guantanamo Bay detainment camp|Guantanamo Bay]], by confining military interrogations to the techniques in the [[FM 34-52 Intelligence Interrogation|U.S. Army Field Manual on Interrogation]]. Although Bush had threatened to veto the bill if McCain's amendment was included,<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/10/06/senate.detainees/index.html "Senate ignores veto threat in limiting detainee treatment"], [[CNN]] ([[2005-10-06]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-02]].</ref> the President announced in December 2005 that he accepted McCain's terms and would "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".<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/15/torture.bill/ "McCain, Bush agree on torture ban"], [[CNN]] ([[2005-12-15]]). Retrieved [[2006-08-16]].</ref> This stance, among others, led to McCain being named by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine in 2006 as one of America's 10 Best Senators.<ref>Calabresi, Massimo and Bacon Jr., Perry. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1184028,00.html "America's 10 Best Senators"], [http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1183947,00.html "John McCain: The Mainstreamer"], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' ([[2006-04-16]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-14]].</ref> McCain voted in February 2008 against a bill containing a ban on [[waterboarding]],<ref name="Eggen" /> which provision was later narrowly passed and vetoed by Bush. However, the bill in question contained other provisions to which McCain objected, and his spokesman stated: "This wasn't a vote on waterboarding. This was a vote on applying the standards of the [Army] field manual to CIA personnel."<ref name="Eggen">Eggen, Dan and Shear, Michael. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021503318.html "Vote Against Waterboarding Bill Called Consistent"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-02-16]]): "[T]he aide said, there are noncoercive interrogation techniques not used by the Army that could be useful to the CIA." Retrieved [[2008-06-09]].</ref>

Meanwhile, McCain continued questioning the progress of the war in Iraq. In September 2005, he remarked upon [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] [[Richard Myers]]' optimistic outlook on the war's progress: "Things have not gone as well as we had planned or expected, nor as we were told by you, General Myers."<ref>[[Thomas E. Ricks (journalist)|Ricks, Thomas]]. ''[[Fiasco (book)|Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq]]'' 412 (Penguin Press 2006). ISBN 1-59420-103-X.</ref> In August 2006, he criticized the administration for continually understating the effectiveness of the insurgency: "We [have] not told the American people how tough and difficult this could be."<ref name="az-estab"/> From the beginning, McCain strongly supported the [[Iraq troop surge of 2007]].<ref> Baldor, Lolita. [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/12/ap/politics/mainD8MJRGCO0.shtml "McCain Defends Bush's Iraq Strategy"], [[Associated Press]] via [[CBS News]] ([[2007-01-12]]). Retrieved [[2007-01-13]].</ref> The strategy's opponents labeled it "McCain's plan"<ref> Giroux, Greg. [http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/01/17/cq_2137.html "'Move On' Takes Aim at McCain's Iraq Stance"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2007-01-17]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-18]].</ref> and [[University of Virginia]] political science professor [[Larry Sabato]] said, "McCain owns Iraq just as much as Bush does now."<ref name="az-estab"/> The surge and the war were unpopular during most of the year, even within the Republican Party,<ref name="time012308">Carney, James. [http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1706450-3,00.html "The Resurrection of John McCain"], [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] ([[2008-01-23]]). Retrieved [[2008-02-01]].</ref> as McCain's presidential campaign was underway; faced with the consequences, McCain frequently responded, "I would much rather lose a campaign than a war."<ref>Crawford, Jamie. [http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/07/28/iraq-wont-change-mccain/ "Iraq won't change McCain"], [[CNN]] ([[2007-07-28]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-18]].</ref> In March 2008, McCain credited the surge strategy with reducing violence in Iraq, as he made his eighth trip to that country since the war began.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/16/mccain.iraq/index.html "McCain arrives in Baghdad"], [[CNN]] ([[2008-03-16]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-16]].</ref>

==2008 presidential campaign==
{{Main|John McCain presidential campaign, 2008}}
[[Image:McCain25April2007Portsmouth.jpg|thumb|Formally announcing his run for President on April 25, 2007 in [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]]]]
John McCain formally announced his intention to run for President of the United States on April 25, 2007 in [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6593317.stm "McCain launches White House bid"], [[BBC News]] ([[2007-04-25]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-15]].</ref> He stated that: "I'm not running for President to be somebody, but to do something; to do the hard but necessary things not the easy and needless things."<ref name="announce">[http://www.usatoday.com/news/pdf/4-25-2007-mccain-announcement.doc "Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: Senator McCain's Announcement Speech"], ''[[USA Today]]'' ([[2007-04-25]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-18]].</ref> He also said that the United States should never fight a war without fully committing the necessary resources, unlike what initially occurred in Iraq.<ref name="announce" />

McCain's oft-cited strengths as a presidential candidate for 2008 included national name recognition, sponsorship of major lobbying and campaign finance reform initiatives, his well-known military service and experience as a POW, his experience from the 2000 presidential campaign, and an expectation that he would capture Bush's top fundraisers.<ref name="wapo021206">Balz, Dan. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/11/AR2006021101374.html "For Possible '08 Run, McCain Is Courting Bush Loyalists"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2006-02-12]]). Retrieved [[2006-08-15]].</ref> During the 2006 election cycle, McCain had attended 346&nbsp;events<ref name="vf0207"/> and helped raise more than $10.5&nbsp;million on behalf of Republican candidates. McCain also became more willing to ask business and industry for campaign contributions, while maintaining that such contributions would not affect any official decisions he would make.<ref>Birnbaum, Jeffrey and Solomon, John. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2007/12/30/ST2007123002933.html "McCain's Unlikely Ties to K Street"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2007-12-31]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-03]].</ref> Despite being considered the front-runner for the nomination by pundits as 2007 began,<ref>Kirkpatrick, David D. and Pilhofer, Aron. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/us/politics/15donate.html "McCain Lags in Income, but Excels in Spending"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2007-04-15]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-11]].</ref> McCain was in second place behind former [[Mayor of New York City]] [[Rudy Giuliani]] in [[Nationwide opinion polling for the Republican Party 2008 presidential candidates|national Republican polls]] as the year progressed.

McCain had fundraising problems in the first half of 2007, due in part to his support for the [[Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007]], which was unpopular among the Republican base electorate.<ref name="cnn070207">[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/07/02/mccain-lags-in-fundraising-cuts-staff/ "McCain lags in fundraising, cuts staff"], [[CNN]] ([[2007-07-02]]). Retrieved [[2007-07-06]].</ref><ref name="npr070207">[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11663436 "Lagging in Fundraising, McCain Reorganizes Staff"], [[NPR]] ([[2007-07-02]]). Retrieved [[2007-07-06]].</ref> Large-scale campaign staff downsizing took place in early July, but McCain said that he was not considering dropping out of the race.<ref name="npr070207" /> Later that month, the candidate's campaign manager and campaign chief strategist both departed.<ref>Sidoti, Liz. [http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8Q9QP0G0&show_article=1 "McCain Campaign Suffers Key Shakeups"], [[Associated Press]] via [[Breitbart.com]] ([[2007-07-10]]). Retrieved [[2007-07-15]].</ref> McCain slumped badly in national polls, [[Nationwide opinion polling for the Republican Party 2008 presidential candidates|often running third or fourth with 15&nbsp;percent or less support.]]

[[Image:BushAndMcCains.jpg|thumb|left|On March 5, 2008, [[George W. Bush|President Bush]] met with the McCains, endorsing the presumptive nominee.]]The Arizona senator subsequently resumed his familiar position as a political [[Underdog (competition)|underdog]],<ref name="iowagaz"/> riding the Straight Talk Express and taking advantage of free media such as debates and sponsored events.<ref name="pol071907">[[Jonathan Martin|Martin, Jonathan]]. [http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0707/McCains_comeback_plan.html "McCain's comeback plan"], ''[[The Politico]]'' ([[2007-07-19]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-12]].</ref> By December 2007, the Republican race was unsettled, with none of the top-tier candidates dominating the race and all of them possessing major vulnerabilities with different elements of the Republican base electorate.<ref> Witosky, Tom. [http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=85192 "McCain sees resurgence in his run for president"], ''[[The Des Moines Register]]'' ([[2007-12-17]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-29]].</ref> McCain was showing a resurgence, in particular with renewed strength in New Hampshire&nbsp;– the scene of his 2000 triumph&nbsp;– and was bolstered further by the endorsements of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', the ''[[Manchester Union-Leader]]'', and almost two dozen other state newspapers,<ref>Sinderbrand, Rebecca. [http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/29/mccain-clinton-win-concord-monitor-endorsements/ "McCain, Clinton win Concord Monitor endorsements"], [[CNN]] ([[2007-12-29]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-29]].</ref> as well as from [[Independent Democrat]]ic Senator [[Joe Lieberman]].<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/17/mccain.endorsements/ "Lieberman: McCain can reunite our country"], [[CNN]] ([[2007-12-17]]). Retrieved [[2008-06-26]].</ref><ref>Lieberman, Joseph. [http://www.nypost.com/seven/02032008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/joe_lieberman__mccain_for_president_657093.htm "Joe Lieberman: McCain for President"], ''[[New York Post]]'' ([[2008-02-03]]): "Joe Lieberman is an independent Democratic senator from Connecticut." Retrieved [[2008-06-26]].</ref> McCain decided not to campaign significantly in the January 3, 2008 [[Iowa Republican caucuses, 2008|Iowa caucuses]], which saw a win by former [[Governor of Arkansas]] [[Mike Huckabee]].

McCain's comeback plan paid off when he won the [[New Hampshire Republican primary, 2008|New Hampshire primary]] on January 8, defeating former [[Governor of Massachusetts]] [[Mitt Romney]] in a close contest, to once again become one of the front-runners in the race.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/08/nh.main/index.html "CNN: McCain wins New Hampshire GOP primary"], [[CNN]] ([[2008-01-08]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-08]].</ref> In mid-January, McCain placed first in the [[South Carolina Republican primary, 2008|South Carolina primary]], narrowly defeating Mike Huckabee.<ref name="SC Primary">Jones, Tim et al. [http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/jan/20/news/chi-gop_finaljan20 "Moderates flock to McCain in S.C.; 2nd-place finish deals blow for Huckabee"], ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' ([[2008-01-20]]). Retrieved [[2008-11-02]].</ref> Pundits credited the third-place finisher, [[Tennessee]]'s former U.S. Senator [[Fred Thompson]], with drawing votes from Huckabee in South Carolina, thereby giving a narrow win to McCain.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0122/breaking85.html "Thompson Quits US Presidential Race"], [[Reuters]] ([[2008-01-22]]). Retrieved [[2008-06-02]].</ref>
A week later, McCain won the [[Florida Republican primary, 2008|Florida primary]],<ref name="cnn012908f">[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/29/fl.primary/index.html "McCain wins Florida, Giuliani expected to drop out"], [[CNN]] ([[2008-01-29]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-29]].</ref> beating Romney again in a close contest; Giuliani then dropped out and endorsed McCain.<ref>Holland, Steve. [http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2964765820080131 "Giuliani, Edwards quit White House Race"], [[Reuters]] ([[2008-01-30]]). Retrieved [[2008-01-30]].</ref>

On February 5, McCain won both the majority of states and [[delegate]]s in the [[Super Tuesday (2008)|Super Tuesday]] [[Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008|Republican primaries]], giving him a commanding lead toward the Republican nomination. Romney departed from the race on February 7.<ref>Sidoti, Liz. [http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8ULL1R00&show_article=1 "Romney Suspends Presidential Campaign"], [[Associated Press]] via [[Breitbart.com]] ([[2008-02-07]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-19]].</ref> McCain's wins in the March 4 primaries clinched a majority of the delegates, and he became the presumptive Republican nominee.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/04/march.4.contests/index.html "McCain wins key primaries, CNN projects; McCain clinches nod"], [[CNN]] ([[2008-03-04]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-04]].</ref>

McCain, having been born in the (Panama) Canal Zone, would if elected have become the first president who was born outside the current 50&nbsp;states. This raised a potential legal issue, since the [[United States Constitution]] requires the president to be a [[natural-born citizen]] of the United States. A bipartisan legal review<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/28/politics/main3977521.shtml "Lawyers Conclude McCain Is "Natural Born"], [[Associated Press]] via [[CBS News]] ([[2008-03-28]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-23]].</ref> and a unanimous but non-binding Senate resolution<ref>[[Michael Dobbs (US author)|Dobbs, Michael]]. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/01/AR2008050103224.html "McCain's Birth Abroad Stirs Legal Debate"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-05-02]]). Retrieved [[2008-10-24]].</ref> both concluded that he is a natural-born citizen, but the matter is still a subject of some legal controversy.<ref>Liptak, Adam. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/us/politics/11mccain.html?_r=1&bl&ex=1215921600&en=586df8e7d68e636f&ei=5087&oref=slogin "A Hint of New Life to a McCain Birth Issue"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-07-11]]).</ref> Also, if inaugurated in 2009 at age 72&nbsp;years and 144&nbsp;days, he would have been the oldest U.S. president upon [[List of United States Presidents by age|ascension to the presidency]],<ref>Bash, Dana. [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/29/mccain.birthday/index.html "With McCain, 72 is the new... 69?"], [[CNN]] ([[2006-09-04]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> and the second-oldest president to be inaugurated.<ref> [http://news.google.com/archivesearch?q=%2273+years+and+350+days+old+Monday%22&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8 "Presidential Inaugural Facts"], ''[[The Miami Herald]]'' ([[1985-01-20]]). Excerpt via [[Google News]]. Retrieved [[2008-03-30]]. Ronald Reagan was 73&nbsp;years and 350&nbsp;days old at his second inauguration.</ref>
[[Image:McCainInDenverMay29Of2008.jpg|thumb|left|Waiting to make policy proposals in [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]] speech on May 27, 2008]]
McCain has addressed concerns about his age and past health concerns, stating in 2005 that his health was "excellent".<ref>McCain, John. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8245636/ Interview transcript]. ''[[Meet the Press]]'' via [[MSNBC]] ([[2005-06-19]]). Retrieved [[2006-11-14]].</ref> He has been treated for a type of [[skin cancer]] called [[melanoma]], and an operation in 2000 for that condition left a noticeable mark on the left side of his face.<ref name="Altman">Altman, Lawrence. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/us/politics/09mccain.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin "On the Campaign Trail, Few Mentions of McCain's Bout With Melanoma"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-03-09]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> McCain's prognosis appears favorable, according to independent experts, especially because he has already survived without a recurrence for more than seven years.<ref name="Altman" /> In May 2008, McCain's campaign briefly let the press review his medical records, and he was described as appearing cancer-free, having a strong heart and in general good health.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/23/america/NA-POL-US-McCain-Health.php "Medical records show McCain is in good health"] ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'' ([[2008-05-23]]). Retrieved on [[2008-05-23]].</ref>

Upon clinching enough delegates for the nomination, McCain's focus shifted toward the general election, while [[Barack Obama]] and [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] fought a prolonged [[Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008|battle for the Democratic nomination]].<ref>Page, Susan. [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=4738053&page=1 "McCain runs strong as Democrats battle on"] ''[[USA Today]]'' ([[2008-04-28]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> McCain introduced various policy proposals, and sought to improve his fundraising.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/31/mccain.tour/ "McCain tells his story to voters"] [[CNN]] ([[2008-03-31]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref><ref>Luo, Michael and Palmer, Griff. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/us/politics/31donate.html?ref=us "McCain Faces Test in Wooing Elite Donors"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-03-31]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> Cindy McCain, who accounts for most of the couple's wealth with an estimated net worth of $100&nbsp;million,<ref name="ap041808"/> made part of her tax returns public in May.<ref name=taxreturn>Kuhnhenn, Jim. [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=4921014 "Cindy McCain had $6 million income in 2006"], [[Associated Press]] via [[ABC News]] ([[2008-05-23]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-24]].</ref> After facing criticism about [[lobbyist]]s on staff, the McCain campaign issued new rules in May 2008 to avoid [[conflict of interest|conflicts of interest]], causing five top aides to leave.<ref name="wapo051908lob">Shear, Michael. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/18/AR2008051802212.html?hpid=topnews "A Fifth Top Aide To McCain Resigns"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-05-19]]). Retrieved [[2008-06-04]].</ref><ref name="az052608">Kammer, Jerry. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/26/20080526lobbyists0526.html "Lobbyists on John McCain's Team Facing Some New Rules"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2008-05-26]]). Retrieved [[2008-06-04]].</ref>

[[Image:McCainPalin1.jpg|thumb|The Palins and McCains campaigning in [[Fairfax, Virginia]], following the [[2008 Republican National Convention]] on September 10]]
When Obama became the Democrats' [[presumptive nominee]] in early June, McCain proposed joint [[town hall meetings]], but Obama instead requested [[United States presidential election debates, 2008|more traditional debates]] for the fall.<ref>Pickler, Nedra. [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=5064125 "McCain, Obama fail to agree on town halls"], [[Associated Press]] via [[ABC News]] ([[2008-06-13]]). Retrieved [[2008-06-16]].</ref> In July, a staff shake-up put [[Steve Schmidt]] in full operational control of the McCain campaign.<ref>[[Dan Balz|Balz, Dan]] and Shear, Michael D. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070203038.html "McCain Puts New Strategist Atop Campaign"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-07-03]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-11]].</ref> Throughout these summer months, Obama typically led McCain in national polls by single-digit margins,<ref> [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html "General Election: McCain vs. Obama"], [[Real Clear Politics]]. Retrieved [[2008-08-11]].</ref> and also led in several key swing states.<ref name="fn062708"/> McCain reprised his familiar underdog role, which was due at least in part to the overall challenges Republicans faced in the election year.<ref name="fn062708"> [http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/27/mccain-predicts-hell-overtake-obama-48-hours-before-the-election/ "McCain Predicts ‘Underdog’ Win in Final 48 Hours"], [[Fox News]] ([[2008-06-27]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-11]].</ref><ref name="iowagaz">Boshart, Rod. [http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS/810585702/1006/news "McCain says he’s underdog in Iowa during State Fair visit"], ''[[The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)|The Gazette]]'' ([[2008-08-08]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-11]].</ref> McCain accepted [[Campaign finance in the United States#Public financing of campaigns|public financing]] for the general election campaign, and the restrictions that go with it, while criticizing his Democratic opponent for becoming the first major party candidate to opt out of such financing for the general election since the system was implemented in 1976.<ref>Wayne, Leslie. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/16/us/politics/16mccain.html "McCain Raised $27 Million in July"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-08-15]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-16]].</ref><ref>Barr, Andy. [http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obama-passes-2-million-donors-2008-08-14.html "Obama passes 2 million donors"], ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]'' ([[2008-08-14]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-16]].</ref> The Republican's broad campaign theme focused on his experience and ability to lead, compared to Obama's.<ref>Kuhnhenn, Jim. [http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-07-31-1097990694_x.htm "Analysis: McCain tries to sow doubts about Obama"], [[Associated Press]] for ''[[USA Today]]'' ([[2008-07-31]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-11]].</ref>

[[Governor of Alaska|Alaska Governor]] [[Sarah Palin]] was revealed as McCain's surprise choice for running mate on August 29, 2008.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/29/palin.republican.vp.candidate/index.html "McCain taps Alaska Gov. Palin as vice president pick" ], [[CNN]] ([[2008-08-29]]). Retrieved 2008-08-29.</ref> McCain was only the second U.S. major-party presidential nominee to select a woman for running mate and the first Republican to do so; Palin would have become the first female [[Vice President of the United States]] if she had been elected. On September 3, 2008, McCain and Palin became the Republican Party's Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees, respectively, at the [[2008 Republican National Convention]] in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]. On September 24, McCain said he was suspending his campaign, called on Obama to join him, and proposed delaying the first of the [[United States presidential election debates, 2008|general election debates with Obama]], in order to work on the [[Proposed bailout of U.S. financial system (2008)|proposed U.S. financial system bailout]] before Congress, which was targeted at addressing the [[subprime mortgage crisis]] and [[Liquidity crisis of September 2008|liquidity crisis]].<ref>Fouhy, Beth. [http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/articles/2008/09/24/news/doc48daa1e9e24f9263258845.txt "Obama rejects McCain's call to delay debate"], [[Associated Press]] for ''[[The Times-Tribune (Scranton)]]'' ([[2008-09-24]]). Retrieved [[2008-09-24]].</ref><ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5877644&page=1 "John McCain Statement: 'Suspending' His Campaign"], [[ABC News]] ([[2008-09-24]]).</ref> McCain's intervention helped to give dissatisfied House Republicans an opportunity to propose changes to the plan that was otherwise close to agreement.<ref>Weisman, Jonathan. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/26/AR2008092603957.html "How McCain Stirred a Simmering Pot"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-09-27]]). Retrieved [[2008-09-27]]. "In truth, McCain's dramatic announcement Wednesday that he would suspend his campaign and come to Washington for the bailout talks had wide repercussions."</ref><ref>Stolberg, Cheryl Gay and Bumiller, Elisabeth. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/27/us/politics/27mccain.html "A Balancing Act as McCain Faces a Divided Party and a Skeptical Public"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-09-26]]). Retrieved [[2008-09-27]]. “His greatest contribution,” Mr. Bachus said, “was returning to Washington and standing up for Republicans who were refusing to be stampeded.”</ref> After Obama declined McCain's suspension suggestion, McCain went ahead with the debate on September 26.<ref>[http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=723483 "McCain To Attend Debate, Resume Campaign"], [[RTTNews]] ([[2008-09-26]]). Retrieved [[2008-09-26]].</ref> On October 1, McCain voted in favor of a revised $700 billion rescue plan.<ref>[http://www.ny1.com/content/features/86538/senate-passes-economic-rescue-package/Default.aspx "Senate Passes Economic Rescue Package"], [[NY1 News]] ([[2008-10-01]]). Retrieved [[2008-10-02]].</ref> Another debate was held on October 7; like the first one, polls afterward suggested that Obama had won it.<ref>Steinhauser, Paul. [http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/08/debate.poll/ "Obama picks up second debate win, poll says"], [[CNN]] ([[2008-10-08]]). Retrieved [[2008-10-12]].</ref> A final presidential debate occurred on October 15.<ref>Daniel, Douglass. [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5921063.html "Obama backs away from McCain's debate challenge"], [[Associated Press]] via ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' ([[2008-08-02]]). Retrieved [[2008-08-11]]).</ref> The election took place on November 4, and Barack Obama was projected the winner at about 11:00 pm Eastern Standard Time; McCain delivered his concession speech in Phoenix, Arizona about twenty minutes later.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/mccain.transcript/ "Transcript: McCain concedes presidency"], [[CNN]] ([[2008-11-04]]).</ref> In the end, McCain won 173 [[electoral college votes]] to Obama's 365.<ref>Franke-Ruta, Garance. [http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/11/19/mccain_takes_missouri.html?hpid=topnews "McCain Takes Missouri"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-11-19]]). Retrieved [[2008-11-19]].</ref> McCain gained 46&nbsp;percent of the nationwide popular vote, compared to Obama's 53&nbsp;percent.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/ "President – Election Center 2008"], [[CNN]]. Retrieved [[2008-11-19]].</ref>

==Political positions==
{{main|Political positions of John McCain|Comparison of United States presidential candidates, 2008 }}
Various [[interest group]]s have given Senator McCain scores or grades as to how well his votes align with the positions of each group.<ref>Mayer, William. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A28761-2004Mar27?language=printer "Kerry's Record Rings a Bell"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2004-03-28]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-12]]: "The question of how to measure a senator's or representative's ideology is one that political scientists regularly need to answer. For more than 30 years, the standard method for gauging ideology has been to use the annual ratings of lawmakers' votes by various interest groups, notably the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) and the American Conservative Union (ACU)."</ref> The [[American Conservative Union]] awarded McCain a lifetime rating of 82&nbsp;percent through 2007, while McCain has an average lifetime 13&nbsp;percent "Liberal Quotient" from [[Americans for Democratic Action]] through 2007.<ref>[http://www.acuratings.org/2007senate.htm "2007 U.S. Senate votes"], [[American Conservative Union]]. Retrieved [[2008-05-10]]. Lifetime rating is given.</ref><ref>[http://www.adaction.org/pages/publications/voting-records.php "Voting Records"], [[Americans for Democratic Action]]. Retrieved [[2008-05-10]]. Average includes all years beginning with 1983 in House, collected from various parts of ADA website and calculated on spreadsheet.</ref>

[[Image:McCain-ACU-ADA-scores.gif|330px|thumb|McCain's congressional voting scores, from the [[American Conservative Union]] (pink line; 100 is most conservative) and [[Americans for Democratic Action]] (blue line; 100 is most liberal)<ref>Chart is built from current year and archive ratings found within [http://www.acuratings.org/ "Ratings of Congress"], [[American Conservative Union]], Retrieved [[2008-05-10]], and [http://www.adaction.org/pages/publications/voting-records.php "Voting Records"], [[Americans for Democratic Action]], Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref>]]
''[[The Almanac of American Politics]]'' rates congressional votes as [[Liberalism in the United States|liberal]] or [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] on the [[political spectrum]], in three policy areas: economic, social, and foreign. For 2005–2006, McCain's average ratings were as follows: the economic rating 59&nbsp;percent conservative and 41&nbsp;percent liberal, the social rating 54&nbsp;percent conservative / 38&nbsp;percent liberal, and the foreign rating 56&nbsp;percent conservative / 43&nbsp;percent liberal.<ref name="aap-08">[[Michael Barone (pundit)|Barone, Michael]] and [[Richard E. Cohen|Cohen, Richard]]. ''[[The Almanac of American Politics]], 2008'', 95 (National Journal 2008). ISBN 0892341173. This biennially published almanac has been called "The most important reference text on American politics... the most comprehensive and accurate guide to the labyrinth of U.S. politics ever assembled." (Mead, Walter. [http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20060101fabook85130/michael-barone-richard-e-cohen/2006-almanac-of-american-politics.html "The United States"], ''[[Foreign Affairs]]'' January/February 2006. Retrieved [[2008-05-15]]) In 2005, the economic ratings were 52&nbsp;percent conservative and 47&nbsp;percent liberal, the social ratings 64 conservative / 23 liberal, and the foreign ratings 54 / 45. In 2006, the economic ratings were 64&nbsp;/ 35, the social 46&nbsp;/ 53, and the foreign 58&nbsp;/ 40.</ref>

Columnists such as Robert Robb and [[Matthew Continetti]] have used a formulation devised by [[William F. Buckley, Jr.]] to describe McCain as "conservative" but not "a conservative", meaning that while McCain usually tends towards conservative positions, he is not "anchored by the philosophical tenets of modern American conservatism."<ref name="Robb">Robb, Robert.
[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/02/is_john_mccain_a_conservative.html "Is McCain a conservative?"], [[RealClearPolitics]] ([[2008-02-01]]). Retrieved [[2008-06-18]].</ref><ref>Continetti, Matthew.
[http://articles.latimes.com/2008/mar/06/opinion/oew-continetti6 "Not your dad's Republicans"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' ([[2008-03-06]]). Retrieved [[2008-06-18]].</ref>

The two political issues that voters have been most concerned about in 2008 are the economy and Iraq.<ref>[http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/postpoll_041408.html "''The Washington Post''-ABC News Poll"], [[washingtonpost.com]] ([[2008-04-14]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-17]].</ref> On the economy, McCain says he would make the [[Bush tax cuts]] permanent instead of letting them expire, eliminate the [[Alternative Minimum Tax]] so as to assist the middle-class, double the [[personal exemption]] for dependents, reduce the [[corporate tax]] rate, and offer a new [[research and development]] tax credit.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/us/politics/15text-mccain.html "McCain on the Economy at Carnegie Mellon University"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-04-15]]). This is the full text of his April 15 speech. Retrieved [[2008-05-17]].</ref><ref name="cseconomy">Grier, Peter. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0428/p02s02-uspo.html "McCain fleshes out his economic plan"], ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' ([[2008-04-28]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-17]].</ref> At the same time, he pledges to eliminate [[pork-barrel]] spending, freeze nondefense [[discretionary spending]] for a year or more, and reduce [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] growth.<ref name="cseconomy" /> McCain is also opposed to high salaries and lucrative severance deals of corporate [[CEO]]s and is in favor of [[Say on pay]] laws that give stockholders a vote on executive compensation.<ref name="cseconomy" /><ref>Salzman, Avi. [http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jun2008/db20080610_480485.htm "McCain Seeks Shareholders' Say on Pay"], ''[[BusinessWeek]]'' ([[2008-06-10]]): "He said that under his proposed reforms, 'all aspects of a CEO's pay, including any severance agreements, must be approved by shareholders.'" Retrieved [[2008-06-17]].</ref> Another proposal of the Arizona senator is to build 45 new [[nuclear power|nuclear reactors]] by 2030, in order to fight [[global warming|climate change]] and establish U.S. energy independence.<ref>Mason, Jeff. [http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/48898/story.htm "McCain Says Wants 45 New Nuclear Reactors by 2030"], [[Reuters]] ([[2008-06-20]]).</ref>

Additionally, McCain proposes that the federal government buy troubled mortgages, and provide low-interest mortgages to qualified homeowners. For people with [[401(k)]] plans, he wants to allow more flexibility about when money can be withdrawn, and would lower the tax on that money, as well as lowering the tax on [[unemployment insurance]] benefits. McCain is also proposing to cut the [[capital gains tax]] on stock held for more than one year, while increasing the tax write-off for stock losses.<ref>Douglas, William and Talev, Margaret. [http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/hc-campaign1015.artoct15,0,7684121.story “McCain Proposes Economic Relief Targeting Seniors, Workers, Jobless”], Hartford Courant ([[2008-10-15]]).</ref>

On Iraq, McCain's goal is that by 2013 most servicemen and women will have returned, the Iraq War will have been won, and Iraq will be a functioning democracy, "although still suffering from the lingering effects of decades of tyranny and centuries of sectarian tension." McCain expects that by 2013, there will still be violence, but at a much-reduced level, and without American troops in a direct combat role.<ref>Walshe, Shushannah. [http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/05/15/mccain-sets-goals-for-his-presidency/ "McCain Sets Goals for His Presidency"], [[Fox News]] ([[2008-05-15]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-17]].</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/us/politics/15text-mccain.html "McCain on His Hopes for His First Term"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-05-15]]). This is the full text of his May 15 speech. Retrieved [[2008-05-17]].</ref>

From the late 1990s until 2008, McCain was a board member of [[Project Vote Smart]] (PVS) which was set up by Richard Kimball, his 1986 Senate opponent.<ref>Kimball, Richard. [http://www.votesmart.org/program_history.php "Program History"], [[Project Vote Smart]]. Retrieved [[2008-05-20]]. Also see Nintzel, Jim. [http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=oid%3A109591 "Test Study: Why are politicians like John McCain suddenly so afraid of Project Vote Smart?"], ''[[Tucson Weekly]]'' ([[2008-04-17]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-21]]. Also see Stein, Jonathan. [http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/04/mccain-project-vote-smart.html "Senator Straight Talk Won't Go on the Record with Project Vote Smart"], ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]'' ([[2008-04-07]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-21]].</ref> PVS provides non-partisan information about the political positions of McCain<ref>[http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=53270 "Senator John Sidney McCain III (AZ)"], [[Project Vote Smart]]. Retrieved [[2008-05-20]]. Non-partisan information about McCain's issue positions is also provided online by other sources. See, e.g., [http://www.ontheissues.org/John_McCain.htm "John McCain on the Issues"], [[On the Issues|OnTheIssues]]. Retrieved [[2008-05-18]].</ref> and other candidates for political office. Additionally, McCain uses his Senate web site, and his 2008 campaign web site, to describe his political positions.<ref>[http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Issues.Home "Issues"], McCain's official Senate web site. Retrieved [[2008-05-21]].</ref><ref>[http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/ "Issues"], johnmccain.com. Retrieved [[2008-05-20]].</ref>

==Cultural and political image==
{{main|Cultural and political image of John McCain}}

John McCain's personal character has been a dominant feature of his public image.<ref>[[David Brooks (journalist)|Brooks, David]]. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/13/opinion/13brooks.html "The Character Factor"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2007-11-13]]). Retrieved [[2007-12-19]].</ref> This image includes the military service of both himself and his family,<ref> Mitchell, Josh. [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1424505821.html?dids=1424505821:1424505821&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+5%2C+2008&author=Josh+Mitchell&pub=The+Sun&desc=ELECTION+2008 "Military Veterans step up for John McCain"], ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' ([[2008-02-05]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> his maverick political persona,<ref name="az-maverick"/> his temper,<ref name="Keller" /> his admitted problem of occasional ill-considered remarks,<ref name="az-senate"/> and his close ties to his children from both his marriages.<ref name="nyt122707"/>

McCain's political appeal has been more nonpartisan and less ideological compared to many other national politicians.<ref>[[Gary Jacobson|Jacobson, Gary]]. "Partisan Differences in Job Approval Ratings of George W. Bush and U.S. Senators in the States: An Exploration", Paper presented at annual meeting of the [[American Political Science Association]], August 2006.</ref> His stature and reputation stem partly from his service in the Vietnam War.<ref>[[Al Hunt|Hunt, Albert]]. "John McCain and Russell Feingold" in [http://books.google.com/books?id=clBdb3ygRJ8C&pg=PA256&dq=%22The+hero+is+indispensable+to+the+McCain+persona%22&ei=GAMmSL-LNYGuywSGtsWpCg&sig=oJVR9-6YvYuUsfzbtYStigceDAA ''Profiles in Courage for Our Time''], 256 ([[Caroline Kennedy|Kennedy, Caroline]] ed., [[Hyperion (publisher)|Hyperion]] 2003): "The hero is indispensable to the McCain persona." ISBN 0-786-88678-1.</ref> He also carries physical vestiges of his war wounds, as well as his melanoma surgery.<ref>[[Todd S. Purdum|Purdum, Todd]]. [http://www.vanityfair.com./politics/features/2007/02/mccain200702 "Prisoner of Conscience"], ''[[Vanity Fair]]'', February 2007. Retrieved [[2008-01-19]]. The surgery took place in 2000.</ref> When campaigning, he quips: "I am older than dirt and have more scars than Frankenstein."<ref> Simon, Roger. [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0107/2467.html "McCain's Health and Age Present Campaign Challenge"], ''[[The Politico]]'' ([[2007-01-27]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-23]].</ref>

[[Image:McCain2008MemorialDay.jpg|thumb|left|Speaking in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] on [[Memorial Day]], 2008, wearing his [[purple heart]]]] In his own estimation, the Arizona senator is straightforward and direct, but impatient.<ref>McCain, ''Worth the Fighting For'', xvii: "God has given me heart enough for my ambitions, but too little forbearance to pursue them by routes other than a straight line."</ref> Other traits include a penchant for lucky charms,<ref> Milbank, Dana. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/2000-02/19/067r-021900-idx.html "A Candidate's Lucky Charms"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2000-02-19]]). Retrieved [[2006-04-08]].</ref> a fondness for hiking,<ref>Campanille, Carl. [http://www.nypost.com/seven/03102008/news/nationalnews/like_to_hike_mcc_loves_uphill_climb_101285.htm "'Like to Hike' McC Loves Uphill Climb, Stays Fit in Ariz. Outdoors"], ''[[New York Post]]'' ([[2008-03-10]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-19]].</ref> and a sense of humor that has sometimes backfired spectacularly, as when he made a joke in 1998 about the Clintons widely deemed not fit to print in newspapers: "Do you know why Chelsea Clinton is so ugly?&nbsp;— Because Janet Reno is her father."<ref name=salon-joke>Corn, David. [http://www.salon.com/news/1998/06/25newsb.html "A joke too bad to print?"], [[Salon.com]] ([[1998-06-25]]). Retrieved [[2006-08-16]]. [[Chelsea Clinton]] is the daughter of [[Bill Clinton]] and [[Hillary Clinton]]. In 1998, [[Janet Reno]] was the [[Attorney General of the United States]].</ref><ref name=gua-ep>Pilkington, Ed. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/sep/02/women.johnmccain "The joke that should have sunk McCain"], ''The Guardian'' ([[2008-09-02]]). Retrieved [[2008-09-03]].</ref> McCain subsequently apologized profusely,<ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 194.</ref> and the Clinton White House accepted his apology.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/30267267.html?dids=30267267:30267267&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jun+16%2C+1998&author=Ann+Gerhart%3BAnnie+Groer&pub=The+Washington+Post&edition=&startpage=E.03&desc=THE+RELIABLE+SOURCE |title=The Reliable Source|author=Gerhart, Ann and Groer, Annie |publisher=''[[Washington Post]]'' |date=1998-06-16|accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref> McCain has not shied away from addressing his shortcomings, and apologizing for them.<ref> Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter6.html "John McCain Report: The Senate calls"], ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' ([[2007-03-01]]). Retrieved [[2007-11-23]].</ref><ref>[[Maureen Dowd|Dowd, Maureen]]. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E6DD173CF932A15755C0A96E958260 "The Joke's On Him"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[1998-06-21]]). Retrieved [[2008-04-02]].</ref> He is known for sometimes being prickly<ref> Drew, ''Citizen McCain'', 23.</ref> and hot-tempered<ref>[http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/mediapolitics/1666.html "Best and Worst of Congress"], ''[[Washingtonian (magazine)|Washingtonian]]'', September 2006. Retrieved [[2008-01-19]].</ref> with Senate colleagues, but his relations with his own Senate staff have been more cordial, and have inspired loyalty towards him.<ref> Drew, ''Citizen McCain'', 21–22.</ref><ref>Zengerle, Jason. [http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=f555f3f5-dc82-4193-a381-1b97a47d7a09 "Papa John"], ''[[The New Republic]]'' ([[2008-04-23]]). Retrieved [[2008-04-11]].</ref>

McCain acknowledges having said intemperate things in years past,<ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/id/129661/output/print "A Conversation About What's Worth the Fight"], ''[[Newsweek]]'' ([[2008-03-29]]): "I have — although certainly not in recent years — lost my temper and said intemperate things... I feel passionately about issues, and the day that passion goes away is the day I will go down to the old soldiers' home and find my rocking chair." Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> though he also says that many stories have been exaggerated.<ref>[http://www.nysun.com/national/on-the-hustings-2008-04-21/75005/ "On The Hustings - April 21, 2008"], ''[[The New York Sun]]'' ([[2008-04-21]]): "I am very happy to be a passionate man... many times I deal passionately when I find things that are not in the best interests of the American people. And so, look, 20, 25 years ago, 15 years ago, that's fine, and those stories here are either totally untrue or grossly exaggerated." Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> One [[psychoanalysis|psychoanalytic]] comparison suggests that McCain would not be the first U.S. leader to have a temper,<ref>Renshon, Stanley. "The Comparative Psychoanalytic Study of Political Leaders: John McCain and the Limits of Trait Psychology" in ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=0PMho-5td7AC&pg=PA245&dq=temper+and+McCain+truman+johnson&ei=CtgbSK_ZCYvcywSyudjRBg&sig=LujcIBcjt38K8OInF6bq3qSvlNA Profiling Political Leaders: Cross-cultural Studies of Personality and Behavior]'', 245 (Feldman and Valenty eds., Greenwood Publishing 2001): "McCain was not the only candidate or leader to have a temper." ISBN 0-275-97036-1.</ref> and cultural critic [[Julia Keller]] argues that voters want leaders who are passionate, engaged, fiery, and feisty.<ref name="Keller">[[Julia Keller|Keller, Julia]]. [http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/may/01/news/chi-temper-0501may01 "Me? A bad temper? Why, I oughta ..."], ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' ([[2008-05-01]]): "Anecdotes about McCain's short fuse—dashing off nasty letters, manhandling colleagues when they oppose him—have popped up in recent profiles. Conversely, though, we also want people in public life to be passionate and engaged. We want them to be fiery and feisty. We like them to care enough to blow their stacks every once in a while. Otherwise, we question the sincerity of their convictions." Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> McCain has employed both profanity<ref>Coleman, Michael. [http://www.abqjournal.com/cgi-bin/decision.pl?attempted=www.abqjournal.com/news/washington/1coleman04-27-08.htm "Domenici Knows McCain Temper"], ''[[Albuquerque Journal]], Online Edition'' ([[2008-04-27]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> and shouting on occasion, although such incidents have become less frequent over the years.<ref name="Kranish">[[Michael Kranish|Kranish, Michael]]. [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/famed_mccain_temper_is_tamed/ "Famed McCain temper is tamed"], ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' ([[2008-01-27]]). Retrieved [[2008-04-28]].</ref><ref>Kane, Paul. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/03/AR2008020303242_pf.html "GOP Senators Reassess Views About McCain"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-02-04]]): "the past few years have seen fewer McCain outbursts, prompting some senators and aides to suggest privately that he is working to control his temper." Retrieved [[2008-05-10]].</ref> Senator [[Joe Lieberman]] has made this observation: "It is not the kind of anger that is a loss of control. He is a very controlled person."<ref name="Kranish" /> Senator [[Thad Cochran]], who has known McCain for decades and has battled him over [[Earmark (politics)|earmarks]],<ref>[[Robert Novak|Novak, Robert]]. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/06/AR2008020603721_pf.html "A Pork Baron Strikes Back"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-02-07]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-04]].</ref><ref>[[Michael Leahy]]. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/19/AR2008041902224.html "McCain: A Question of Temperament"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2008-04-20]]). ("Cornyn is now a McCain supporter, as is Republican Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, himself a past target of McCain's sharp tongue, especially over what McCain regarded as Cochran's hunger for pork-barrel projects in his state. Cochran landed in newspapers early during the campaign after declaring that the thought of McCain in the Oval Office 'sends a cold chill down my spine.'") Retrieved [[2008-04-28]]. McCain aide [[Mark Salter]] challenged the accuracy of some other elements of Leahy's article; see [http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OWFmYTNmYTQ5OTcyY2QyN2ZmZDg1YzNlZWU3ODk3MjI= "McCain's Temper, Ctd."], ''[[National Review|National Review Online]]'' ([[2008-04-20]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-04]].</ref> has expressed concern about a McCain presidency: "He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."<ref name="Kranish" /> Ultimately Cochran decided to support McCain for president, after it was clear he would win the nomination.<ref>Raju, Manu. [http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/mccain-reaches-out-to-gop-senators-with-weekly-meetings-2008-04-30.html "McCain reaches out to GOP senators with weekly meetings"], ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]'' ([[2008-04-30]]). Retrieved [[2008-05-04]]</ref>

All of John McCain's family members are on good terms with him,<ref name="nyt122707"/> and he has defended them against some of the negative consequences of his high-profile political lifestyle.<ref>Timberg, ''American Odyssey'', 144–145.</ref><ref>[[Elisabeth Bumiller|Bumiller, Elisabeth]]. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/us/politics/24mccain.html "Two McCain Moments, Rarely Mentioned"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ([[2008-03-24]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-24]].</ref> His family's military tradition extends to the latest generation: son John Sidney IV ("Jack") is enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy, son James has served with the [[United States Marine Corps|Marines]] in Iraq, and son Doug flew jets in the Navy.<ref> Tilghman, Andrew. [http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/03/marine_mccainskids_030808/ "McCain win might stop sons from deploying"], ''[[Navy Times]]'' ([[2008-03-10]]). Retrieved [[2008-03-28]].</ref><ref name="nyt122707"/>
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==Writings by McCain==
===Books===
*''[[Faith of My Fathers]]'' by John McCain, [[Mark Salter]] (Random House, August 1999) ISBN 0-375-50191-6 (later made into the 2005 television film ''[[Faith of My Fathers (film)|Faith of My Fathers]]'')
*''[[Worth the Fighting For]]'' by John McCain, Mark Salter (Random House, September 2002) ISBN 0-375-50542-3
*''Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life'' by John McCain, Mark Salter (Random House, April 2004) ISBN 1-4000-6030-3
*''[[Character Is Destiny: Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember]]'' by John McCain, Mark Salter (Random House, October 2005) ISBN 1-4000-6412-0
*''[[Hard Call|Hard Call: Great Decisions and the Extraordinary People Who Made Them]]'' by John McCain, Mark Salter (Hachette, August 2007) ISBN 978-0-446-58040-3

===Articles and forewords===
* [http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/world/2008/01/28/john-mccain-prisoner-of-war-a-first-person-account.html "How the POW's Fought Back", by John S. McCain III, Lieut. Commander, U.S. Navy], ''[[U.S. News and World Report]]'', May 14, 1973 (reprinted for web under different title in 2008). Reprinted in ''Reporting Vietnam, Part Two: American Journalism 1969–1975'' ([[The Library of America]], 1998) ISBN 1-883011-59-0
*"[[The Code of Conduct and the Vietnam Prisoners of War]]", by John S. McCain, Commander USN, [[National War College]], [[1974-04-08]] ([http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/politics/20080615/McCain.pdf actual paper])
*Foreword by John McCain to ''A Code to Keep: The True Story of America's Longest-Held Civilian POW in Vietnam'' by [[Ernest C. Brace]] (St. Martin's Press, 1988) ISBN 0-709-03560-8
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20030219/http://mccain.senate.gov/speechesyr.htm Speeches] of John McCain, 1988–2000
*Foreword by John McCain to ''Glory Denied: The Saga of Jim Thompson, America's Longest-held Prisoner'' by Tom Philpott (W. W. Norton, 2001) ISBN 0-393-02012-6
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=UJA9JQAACAAJ&dq=%22David+Halberstam%22+and+%22best+and+the+brightest%22+mccain&num=100&ei=uVxUSMzaDbW2iQHe1b2VDA Foreword] by John McCain to ''[[The Best and the Brightest]]'' by [[David Halberstam]] (Random House, 2001 edition) ISBN 1-588-36098-9
*Foreword by John S. McCain to ''Unfinished Business: Afghanistan, the Middle East and Beyond&nbsp;– Defusing the Dangers That Threaten America's Security'' by [[Harlan Ullman]] (Citadel Press, June 2002) ISBN 0-8065-2431-6
* Foreword by John McCain and [[Max Cleland]] to ''Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming'' by Jonathan Shay (Scribner, November 2002) ISBN 0-7432-1156-1
* [http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/3491861.html?page=3 Foreword] by John McCain to ''Debunking 9/11 Myths: Why Conspiracy Theories Can't Stand Up to the Facts'' by the Editors of ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' (Hearst, August 2006) ISBN 1-588-16635-X
* Introduction by John McCain to ''Pearl Harbor, the Day of Infamy, an Illustrated History'' by [[Dan van der Vat]] (Black Walnut Books, 2007) ISBN 1-897-33028-6
*[http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20071101faessay86602/john-mccain/an-enduring-peace-built-on-freedom.html "An Enduring Peace Built on Freedom: Securing America's Future" by John McCain] ''[[Foreign Affairs]]'', November/December 2007

{{Clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Bibliography==
{{JohnMcCainSegmentsUnderInfoBox}}

*[[Paul Alexander|Alexander, Paul]]. ''Man of the People: The Life of John McCain'' ([[John Wiley & Sons]], Hoboken, New Jersey 2002). ISBN 0-471-22829-X.
*[[David Brock|Brock, David]] and Waldman, Paul. ''Free Ride: John McCain and the Media'' ([[Anchor Books]] 2008). ISBN 0-307-27940-5.
*[[Elizabeth Drew|Drew, Elizabeth]]. ''Citizen McCain'' ([[Simon & Schuster]] 2002). ISBN 0-641-57240-9.
*Feinberg, Barbara. ''John McCain: Serving His Country'' ([[Millbrook Press]] 2000). ISBN 0-761-31974-3.
*Hubbell, John G. ''P.O.W.: A Definitive History of the American Prisoner-Of-War Experience in Vietnam, 1964–1973'' ([[Reader's Digest Press]], New York 1976). ISBN 0-88349-091-9.
*Karaagac, John. ''John McCain: An Essay in Military and Political History'' ([[Lexington Books]] 2000). ISBN 0-739-10171-4.
*McCain, John and [[Mark Salter|Salter, Mark]], ''[[Faith of My Fathers]]'' ([[Random House]], New York 1999). ISBN 0-375-50191-6.
*McCain, John and Salter, Mark. ''[[Worth the Fighting For]]'' ([[Random House]], New York 2002). ISBN 0-375-50542-3.
*Rochester, Stuart I. and Kiley, Frederick. ''Honor Bound: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia, 1961–1973'' ([[Naval Institute Press]], Annapolis, Maryland 1999). ISBN 1-55750-694-9.
* Schecter, Cliff. ''[[The Real McCain|The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don't Trust Him and Why Independents Shouldn't]]'' ([[PoliPoint Press]] 2008). ISBN 0-979-48229-1.
* Timberg, Robert. ''[[John McCain: An American Odyssey]]'' ([[Touchstone Books]], New York 1999). ISBN 0-684-86794-X. [http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?pid=410787&agid=2 Chapter 1] available online.
* Timberg, Robert. ''[[The Nightingale's Song]]'' ([[Simon & Schuster]], New York 1996). ISBN 0-684-80301-1. [http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?pid=407204&agid=2 Chapter 1] available online.
*Welch, Matt. ''McCain: The Myth of a Maverick'' ([[Palgrave Macmillan]] 2007). ISBN 0-230-60396-3.

==External links==
{{sisterlinks-author|John McCain}}

; Official sites
*[http://www.johnmccain.com/ JohnMcCain.com] (2008 U.S. presidential campaign)
*[http://mccain.senate.gov/ John McCain U.S. Senator for Arizona] (U.S. Senate office)
*{{imdb name|id=0564587|name=John McCain}}
*{{myspace|id=17431860|name=John McCain}}
*[http://www.youtube.com/johnmccain John McCain] at [[YouTube]]

; Navy
*[http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/330F85C7-5982-4B09-A46A-373964430AFB/0/Document.pdf John McCain's Navy Records] some of his records released by the [[United States Navy]]

; Senate
{{CongLinks |surge = 973 |congbio = m000303 |fec = S6AZ00019 |opensecrets = N00006424 |votesmart = S0061103 |ontheissuespath = Senate/John_McCain.htm}}

;Site directory
* {{dmoz |Regional/North_America/United_States/Society_and_Culture/Politics/Candidates_and_Campaigns/Presidential/2008/Candidates/McCain,_John}}
*{{worldcat id|id=lccn-nr91-3214}}

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{{Persondata
|NAME=McCain, John
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=McCain, John Sidney, III (full name)
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=U.S. Senator from [[Arizona]]; 2008 Republican Presidential nominee
|DATE OF BIRTH=August 29, 1936
|PLACE OF BIRTH=U.S. [[Panama Canal Zone]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{lifetime|1936||McCain, John}}
[[Category:American adoptive parents]]
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[[Category:Jeopardy! contestants]] <!-- see [[Early life and military career of John McCain]] for cites --><!-- http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-06-30-2937395846_x.htm -->
[[Category:John McCain|*]]
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[[wuu:强 马凱恩]]
[[yi:דזשאן מעקעין]]
[[zh-yue:麥堅]]
[[zh:約翰·麥凱恩]]

Revision as of 16:22, 21 November 2008

John McCain is a stupid idiot and it's good that he wasn't elected President.

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