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| '''John Sidney McCain III''' (born ], ]) is a ] ] from the state of ] in the ]. | '''John Sidney McCain III''' (born ], ]) is a ] ] from the state of ] in the ]. | ||
| ⚫ | McCain lives with his second wife Cindy in ]. He has seven children and four grandchildren. | ||
| ⚫ | == |
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| ⚫ | ==Early history== | ||
| McCain was born in the ], the son and grandson of prominent ] admirals (] and ]). He followed in their footsteps and graduated from the ] in 1958, and pursued a career as an aviator. He was shot down over ] in 1967, and was held as a ] in ] for five and a half years. He was released from captivity in 1973 and retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain in 1981. | |||
| McCain was born in the ], the son and grandson of prominent ] admirals (] and ]). He followed in their footsteps (somewhat reluctantly) and graduated from the ] in 1958. As a naval ], he was shot down over ] in 1967, and was held as a ] in ] for five-and-a-half years. When his captors discovered he was the son and grandson of admirals, he was offered a chance to go home, but he refused to break the military code that POWs are released in the order that they are captured. He was finally released from captivity in 1973, having survived the injuries he received when he was shot down, the beatings from an angry crowd and his captors, a year of torture, and two years of ]. Once released, his POW injuries prevented him from receiving a sea command, so in 1977, he became a Navy's liaison to the Senate. He was discharged from the Navy in ], on the day he watched his father buried next to his grandfather, in ]. During his military career he received a ], a ], the ], the ], and a ]. | |||
| McCain was elected as an ] representative to the ] in 1982. In 1985, after two terms in the House he was elected to the ] where he is currently serving his third term. In 1997, ] named him as one of the "25 Most Influential People in America." McCain ran in the ] but lost the Republican presidential nomination to ]. However, he put up a strong challenge to Bush, who was the favorite, managing to win the GOP primaries in ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| ==Political |
==Political career == | ||
| McCain was elected as an ] representative to the ] in 1982. In 1985, upon ]'s retirement, he was elected to the ], partially financed by ], who had also contributed to his House campaigns. | |||
| In 1997, ] named him as one of the "25 Most Influential People in America." | |||
| McCain is considered to be one of the more ] members of the Republican Party. Though ] on social issues such as ], his opinions on fiscal matters are often closer in line with the views of the ]. Because he often breaks party lines in the Senate, he is often called a "maverick senator." He fights against ] spending and supports health care and education. | |||
| His best-selling book, ''Faith of my Fathers'' (1999, ISBN 0375501916), helped propel his presidential run. McCain ran in the ], winning in ], ], ], ], ] and ]. He lost the nomination to the well-funded party establishment campaign of ]. | |||
| ⚫ | One of McCain's main passions in his political career has been the topic of ] |
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| On September 9, 2003, a case contesting the law was heard by the ]. | |||
| ⚫ | One of McCain's main passions in his national political career has been the topic of ] (in spite of voting against such measures initially). Since 1992, McCain has repeatedly tried to pass legislation regulating campaign financing, finally achieve a major victory in ]. That year, ] passed a key campaign finance reform bill, the ], co-sponsored by Senator ] and hence also known as the McCain-Feingold bill. It was immediately challenged on ] grounds, but was narrowly upheld by the ] on ], ], in an expedicted hearing and ruling. | ||
| ==Military awards== | |||
| ==Political views== | |||
| ] -- ] -- ] -- ] -- ] | |||
| McCain doesn't fit neatly into any political wing. He is conservative on many military issues, yet he fought against an ], saying the money should be spent on the 12,000 families of the enlisted who were on ]. He is strongly ] and equally strongly against ]. His appeal during the 2000 presidential campaign was based on his style and personal image rather than any label of ] or ]. Because of his quick temper, and independence in the Senate, he is sometimes called a "maverick senator." He fights against ] spending and supports expanded legislation on ] and education. | |||
| ==Various== | |||
| ⚫ | McCain lives with his wife Cindy in ]. He has seven children and four grandchildren. |
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| McCain's father was involved in the investigations that followed the ]. | |||
| ==External link== | ==External link== | ||
Revision as of 00:53, 11 December 2003
John Sidney McCain III (born August 29, 1936) is a Republican senator from the state of Arizona in the United States.
McCain lives with his second wife Cindy in Phoenix. He has seven children and four grandchildren.
Early history
McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone, the son and grandson of prominent Navy admirals (John S. McCain, Sr. and John S. McCain, Jr.). He followed in their footsteps (somewhat reluctantly) and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1958. As a naval aviator, he was shot down over Vietnam in 1967, and was held as a prisoner of war in Hanoi for five-and-a-half years. When his captors discovered he was the son and grandson of admirals, he was offered a chance to go home, but he refused to break the military code that POWs are released in the order that they are captured. He was finally released from captivity in 1973, having survived the injuries he received when he was shot down, the beatings from an angry crowd and his captors, a year of torture, and two years of solitary confinement. Once released, his POW injuries prevented him from receiving a sea command, so in 1977, he became a Navy's liaison to the Senate. He was discharged from the Navy in 1981, on the day he watched his father buried next to his grandfather, in Arlington National Cemetery. During his military career he received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Political career
McCain was elected as an Arizona representative to the United States House of Representatives in 1982. In 1985, upon Barry Goldwater's retirement, he was elected to the United States Senate, partially financed by Charles Keating, who had also contributed to his House campaigns.
In 1997, Time magazine named him as one of the "25 Most Influential People in America."
His best-selling book, Faith of my Fathers (1999, ISBN 0375501916), helped propel his presidential run. McCain ran in the 2000 presidential Republican primary, winning in New Hampshire, Michigan, Arizona, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont. He lost the nomination to the well-funded party establishment campaign of George W. Bush.
One of McCain's main passions in his national political career has been the topic of campaign finance reform (in spite of voting against such measures initially). Since 1992, McCain has repeatedly tried to pass legislation regulating campaign financing, finally achieve a major victory in 2002. That year, Congress passed a key campaign finance reform bill, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, co-sponsored by Senator Russ Feingold and hence also known as the McCain-Feingold bill. It was immediately challenged on constitutional grounds, but was narrowly upheld by the Supreme Court on December 10, 2003, in an expedicted hearing and ruling.
Political views
McCain doesn't fit neatly into any political wing. He is conservative on many military issues, yet he fought against an aircraft carrier, saying the money should be spent on the 12,000 families of the enlisted who were on food stamps. He is strongly pro-life and equally strongly against tobacco. His appeal during the 2000 presidential campaign was based on his style and personal image rather than any label of liberal or conservative. Because of his quick temper, and independence in the Senate, he is sometimes called a "maverick senator." He fights against pork barrel spending and supports expanded legislation on health care and education.