Changes

|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]|spouse=Carol Shepp (1965-19801965–1980)<br/>[[Cindy McCain|Cindy Lou Hensley]] (1980-present1980–2018)

|terms=January 3, 1987-present– August 25, 2018

|former=ny |succeeded=Incumbent (no successor)[[Jon Kyl]]

'''John Sidney McCain III''', born in the U.S. [[Panama Canal]] Zone, (August 29, 1936 (age {{age|1936|8|29}}– August 25, 2018),<ref name=bioguide>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m0003http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/13/Button_enter.png Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]</ref> was the Republican candidate for President in 2008 as well as a prominent maverick politician and [[Vietnam War]] veteran. He is was also the senior [[United States Senate|Senator]] of [[Arizona]]. He has been was an influential leader in American politics since 1986, when he ran for office attacking corruption, attacking [[pork barrelestablishment]] spending and working for [[campaign finance reformneocon]]voice in American politics since 1986. McCain was defeated by [[George W. Bush]] for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, and lost to [[Barack Obama]] in the 2008 Presidential Election.McCain died on August 25, 2018,<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (August 25, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/08/25/john-mccain-1936-2018-conservative-frenemy-american-hero/ John McCain (1936-2018): Conservative Frenemy, American Hero]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 25, 2018.</ref> and Obama and [[Hillary Clinton]], among others, praised him.<ref>O'Reilly, Andrew (August 26, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/26/clinton-obama-among-democrats-paying-tribute-to-mccains-commitment-to-bipartisanship.html Clinton, Obama among Democrats paying tribute to McCain's commitment to bipartisanship]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 26, 2018.<br>Several speakers at McCain's funeral criticized President Trump:*Shaw, Adam (September 1, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/01/obama-bush-to-pay-tribute-to-john-mccain-at-washington-national-cathedral-memorial-service.html Meghan McCain, Obama knock Trump at John McCain's funeral service: 'America was always great']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 1, 2018.*Axelrod, Tal (September 1, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/news/404726-7-times-trump-was-called-out-at-john-mccains-funeral 7 subtle jabs speakers took at Trump during John McCain’s funeral]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.*Rodriguez, Katherine (September 1, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/09/01/meghan-mccain-uses-fathers-eulogy-to-take-pot-shots-at-trump/ Meghan McCain Uses Father’s Eulogy to Take Pot-Shots at Trump]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.*Betz, Bradford (September 2, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/02/trump-issues-4-word-reply-after-criticism-at-mccain-franklin-funerals.html Trump issues 4-word reply after criticism at McCain, Franklin funerals]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.See also:*Virgil (September 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/09/02/virgil-the-mccain-funeral-marked-the-end-of-an-era-for-the-globalist-war-party/ Virgil: The McCain Funeral Marked the End of an Era for the Globalist War Party]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.*Byas, Steve (September 2, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/29939-the-politics-of-funerals The Politics of Funerals]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref> The [[mainstream media]] used McCain to accomplish its goals, and it frequently praised McCain for his role in advancing the left-wing agenda, except when he ran against Democrats in elections when they viciously attacked him.<ref>Multiple references:*Byas, Steve (August 28, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/29893-why-was-john-mccain-the-media-s-favorite-republican Why Was John McCain the Media’s Favorite Republican?] ''The New American''. Retrieved August 28, 2018.*Nolte, John (August 27, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2018/08/27/establishment-media-john-mccain-apology-2008-smears/ Nolte: The Establishment Media Still Owe John McCain a Big Apology]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 27, 2018.*Pollak, Joel B. (August 27, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/08/27/pollak-democrats-risk-repeating-mistake-of-paul-wellstones-memorial-with-john-mccain/ Pollak: Democrats, Media Risk Repeating Mistake of Paul Wellstone with John McCain]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 27, 2018.*Kurz, Howard (August 28, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/28/media-use-john-mccains-death-to-denigrate-donald-trump.html Media use John McCain's death to denigrate Donald Trump]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 28, 2018.*[https://video.foxnews.com/v/5827551968001/?playlist_id=5198073478001#sp=show-clips Tucker: Hypocritical left and the way to honor McCain]. ''Fox News Video''. August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.See also:*Delingpole, James (August 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/08/29/delingpole-de-john-mccain-nil-nisi-bonum-thats-latin-trump-derangement-syndrome-strikes-again/ Delingpole: De John McCain Nil Nisi Bonum (That’s Latin for ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome Strikes Again’)]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.*Scarry, Eddie (August 30, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/trump-didnt-owe-the-media-a-show-over-john-mccains-death Trump didn't owe the media a show over John McCain's death]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 30, 2018.*Starr, Penny (September 3, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/09/03/leftist-media-define-mccains-memorial-service-biggest-resistance-meeting-yet/ Leftist Media Define McCain’s Memorial Service: ‘Biggest Resistance Meeting Yet’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 3, 2018.*Nolte John (September 3, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2018/09/03/nolte-how-vulgar-media-political-elite-ruined-two-funerals/ Nolte: How Our Vulgar Media and Political Elite Ruined Two Funerals]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 3, 2018.</ref> The conservative base strongly disliked McCain, based on his antagonistic attitude and policies toward them.<ref>Antle, W. James III (August 30, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/understanding-mccains-rift-with-the-right Understanding McCain's rift with the Right]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 30, 2018.</ref>

As a pilot for the [[United States Navy]] and former Prisoner-of-War ([[POW]]), he served in the military for 22 years.<ref name=bioguide /> McCain, a [[Baptist]],<ref>[httphttps://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/09/16/mccain-identifies-himself-as-baptist.html McCain Identifies Himself as a Baptist], [[Fox News]]</ref> has impressive credentials on emphasized issues of related to foreign policy and national security, which have propelled him in the forefront of national politics as both an outspoken voice for the United States military and as a Presidential contender for the Republican Party since starting in 1993.<ref>Paul Alexander, ''John McCain: Man of the People''. (2003)</ref> He originally ran for office attacking corruption, attacking [[pork barrel]] spending and working for [[campaign finance reform]]. Despite being a POW in Vietnam, McCain had no interest in returning other American POWs home, and he fought to cover up evidence that hundreds of American POWs remained in Vietnam decades after the war ended.<ref name="NoMaverick"/> He also attacked and denigrated those who, with strong evidence, argued that American POWs remained in Vietnam.<ref name="NoMaverick">Kirkwood, R. Cort (August 26, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/29882-mccain-was-no-maverick-on-pows McCain Was No Maverick on POWs]. ''The New American''. Retrieved August 26, 2018.</ref>

In the Senate in 2009 Despite his hawkish national security positions, McCain took moderate positions overall, and he has moved to flip-flopped various times, most notably when he voted against repealing ObamaCare in 2017 when he made numerous campaign statements several years prior stating he would do the rightexact opposite. McCain also was a [[globalist]] on issues related to foreign policy.<ref name="McCainWhines">Newman, shedding his maverick image with fullAlex (March 28, 2017). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/25700-mccain-whines-about-threats-to-globalist-new-world-order McCain Whines About Threats to Globalist “New World Order”]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 6, 2018.</ref> He criticized [[Donald Trump]] for caring more about projecting strength than displaying a [[neoconservative]] promotion of democracy worldwide and letting in large numbers of refugees,<ref>Multiple references:*Thomsen, Jacqueline (April 30, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/385540-mccain-torches-trump-in-new-book-he-places-throated attacks on the Democrats-appearance-of-toughness-over McCain torches Trump in new book: He prioritizes appearance of toughness over American values]. ' proposals 'The Hill''. Retrieved April 30, 2018.*Stewart, Phil (May 3, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-mccain/mccain-in-new-memoir-chides-trump-for health care reform-undermining-u-s-values-idUSKBN1I42L4 McCain, capin new memoir, chides Trump for undermining U.S. values]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 3, 2018.See also:*Seipel, Brooke (May 26, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/445574-anddemocratic-trade environmental taxessenator-says-mccain-listed-off-names-of-dictators-during-trump-inaugural Democratic senator says McCain listed off names of dictators during Trump inaugural]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 26, 2019.*Caplan, Joshua (May 27, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/05/27/amy-klobuchar-john-mccain-listed-names-of-dictators-during-trumps-inauguration/ Amy Klobuchar: John McCain Listed Names of Dictators During Trump’s Inauguration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 28, 2019.</ref> as well as for his immigration positions.<ref name="Lee2018"/> He stated in 2018 that he regretted choosing conservative [[Sarah Palin]] as his running mate,<ref>Gstalter, Morgan (May 5, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/news/386392-mccain-i-regret-picking-palin-as-my-vice-presidential-nominee McCain says he regrets picking Palin as running mate]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref><ref>Lee, Tony (May 6, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/06/mccain-regrets-sarah-palin-vp-pick/ McCain Regrets Sarah Palin VP Pick]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 6, 2018.</ref> and wasteful stimulus spendinghis family even banned her from his funeral despite her continued loyalty toward him.<ref>Pollak, while supporting President ObamaJoel B. (August 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/08/29/sarah-palin-loyal-running-mate-excluded-from-john-mccains-funeral/ Sarah Palin, Loyal Running Mate, Excluded from John McCain’s Funeral]. 's aggressive policies 'Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.</ref> McCain has been the subject of considerable controversy for his role in promoting the [[Afghanistan WarSteele dossier]]to the FBI.

McCain's family has had a long history of military service, including ancestors who fought as army soldiers in the Indian Wars, [[American Revolutionary War]], [[War of 1812]], for both the Union and the Confederate States of America during the [[American Civil War]], and in [[World War I]]. Both his father and grandfather were four-star Navy admirals. In addition, McCain's two sons are currently serving in the U.S. Navy.

McCain served heroically in the [[United States Navy]] from 1958 to 1981. He spent two and a half years as a naval aviator in training at the Naval Air Station Pensacola in [[Florida]] and the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in [[Texas]]. By 1967, McCain was a veteran pilot aboard the [[USS Forrestal|USS ''Forrestal'']] [[aircraft carrier]] off the coast of Vietnam. On 29 July 1967, while preparing to take off on a bombing run over North Vietnam, a missile accidentally fired from another plane, hitting the fuel tanks on McCain's aircraft and triggering explosions and a fire. McCain escaped from his plane by crawling onto the nose of the aircraft and diving on to the ship's deck which was ablaze from burning fuel. His attempt to rescue a fellow pilot whose flight suit was on fire was prevented when McCain was blown over by further explosions. When the fire was contained 24 hours later, 134 men had been killed and hundreds more injured. It was called the worst non-combat-related accident in U.S. naval history.<ref>[httphttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=526451&in_page_id=1811 ''The coronation of the ultimate survivor, John McCain''] 5 March 2008 [[Daily Mail]]</ref>  

===Prisoner-Of-War (1967 - 19731967–1973)===

After months of beating sessions and intense interrogations, McCain was psychologically and physically weakened. At one point, he was forced to sign a statement which made claims exonerating his captors of inhumane treatment. <ref>From which he earned the nicknane, "Songbird McCain" from other veterans. https://www.democraticunderground.com/1251254282 </ref> The paper was intended for use as propaganda, but in all their subsequent attempts for promoting a "humane" image of the POW camp, McCain worked his hardest to thwart them. In 1971, four years from his capture, he was placed with 20 to 30 other Americans in better treatment. They were allowed to celebrate Christian holidays, including Christmas. McCain, who served as an impromptu chaplain, recalled that during their services, men cried; "They were tears of joy that for the first time... we were able to celebrate Christmas together."<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. Published 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-47545-9</ref> In light of his father's high military status, McCain was offered early release, which he adamantly refused in honor of the "First in, first out" clause of the POW Code of Conduct.

===Return to the Navy (1973 - 19811973–1981)=== 

===Congressional (1982 - 19861982–1986)===

===Senatorial (1986 - Present1986–Present)===

John McCain and the Bush administration agree on most issues. He voted with the Bush administration 95% of the time in 2007, according to Congressional Quarterly's "Presidential Support Scores".<ref>[httphttps://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2008/jun/04/barack-obama/thats-what-the-votes-show-yes/ That's what the votes show, yes], Politifact fact checks McCain's voting support</ref> Issues include making the Bush tax cuts permanent (even though he originally opposed and voted against them), energy independence, winning the war in Iraq, reforming Social Security, and continuing and expanding Bush's supply-side economic policies.

Rick Davis was McCain's campaign manager in both 2000 and 2008. ===During Bush Presidency 2001 - 2008 2001–2008 ===Following McCain's loss in the 2000 Presidential primary and reports of dirty tricks in [[South Carolina]],<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/03/21/the_anatomy_of_a_smear_campaign/ The anatomy of a smear campaign], March 21, 2004, [[Boston Globe]]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091221024959/http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2007/12/30/top-romney-advisor-tied-to-anonymous-attacks-of-previous-presidential-primary/ Top Romney advisor tied to anonymous attacks of previous presidential primary], December 30, 2007</ref> McCain began to disagree with President Bush on many issues, such as tax cuts, climate change, and gun legislation. After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], McCain wrote legislation that created the 9/11 Commission, while he and Democratic Senator Fritz Hollings co-sponsored the Aviation and Transportation Security Act that federalized airport security. 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". McCain also co-sponsored comprehensive immigration reform (see below under political record for details). In addition to bipartisan work in the Senate, it was during this period that McCain was courted by the Senate Democrats, and considered switching parties.<ref>[httphttps://thehill.com/homenews/news/11485-democrats-say-mccain-nearly-abandoned-gop httphttps://thehill.com/homenews/news/11485-democrats-say-mccain-nearly-abandoned-gop]</ref> In the mid-2000s McCain's campaign chairman Rick Davis connected with [[Russia]]n [[oligarch]] [[Oleg Deripaska]]. At the time, the Davis-Manafort firm was advising with pro-Russian political figures in [[Ukraine]] and also doing work in [[Montenegro]], another former Soviet satellite that Putin was trying to influence. While Davis was building the political connections with the oligarch, he was handing off the commercial side of the relationship to [[Paul Manafort]], his longtime lobbying partner. Manafort came to work on the commercial side for Deripaska through Davis. U.S intelligence raised concerns to McCain's staff about the Davis Manafort work. McCain's office also was warned about possible Russian military connections to one of his policy advisers at the International Republican Institute (IRI), a think tank which McCain chairs. In 2005, McCain's inner circle was encouraged to distance itself from the adviser, causing aides to scramble to separate Deripaska from McCain.  In 2006, Davis and Manafort arranged two meetings with McCain and Deripaska. The first occurred in January 2006 in [[Davos]], Switzerland. Deripaska showed up by McCain a second time, during an official trip to [[Montenegro]], another place where the Davis-Manafort firm was offering advice. Deripaska and Davis joined McCain and other officials at a dinner hosted by the country's government in August 2006, and some of the attendees went on to take a cruise aboard a yacht where drinks and pastry were served in honor of McCain's 70th birthday. Deripaska's visa to travel to the United States had been blocked by the State Department because of concerns about his ties to Russian businesses and government. The U.S. embassy in Moscow monitored Deripaska's business dealings during the time, reporting back to Washington they believed the oligarch was close to Putin. {{Quotebox|“Deripaska enjoys a favorable relationship with [[President Putin]] -- he is a more or less permanent fixture on Putin's trips abroad, and he is widely acknowledged by our contacts to be among the 2-3 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis,”}} one 2006 cable from the Moscow embassy to Washington declared. The oligarch's visa controversy dragged on for years and reached the highest levels of both governments. A February 2008 State Department cable released by WikiLeaks shows that Putin was so concerned about the matter that he had then-Russian Deputy Foreign Minister [[Sergey Kislyak]] lobby then U.S. Ambassador to Moscow William Burns to try win Deripaska's entry to the United States. "Kislyak parried with a demand for more information on the U.S. refusal to issue Oleg Deripaska a visa. Ambassador said he had already provided our response,” the cable said. Putin eventually dispatched Kislyak to be his ambassador in Washington. In 2018, Manafort plead guilty to money laundering and tax evasion schemes he was involved in while employed by John McCain.<ref>[https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4883168-Manafort-DC-Superseding-Criminal-Information.html#document/p1 Item 7, Manafort plea deal].</ref>

Liberals, Democrats, Progressives, and the [[mainstream media]] painted McCain as a [[racist]] and [[traitor]] based on his record as a POW.<ref>https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2008/oct/14/uselections2008-johnmccain</ref> Romney had the edge in early races, but couldn't deliver a knockout blow. McCain's poll numbers slowly increased and benefited as the field narrowed. After McCain defeated top contender Mitt Romney by a large margin on Super Tuesday in delegate-rich states like New York, California, and Arizona,<ref>[httphttps://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18772382 Mitt Romney Drops Out of GOP Presidential Race], [[NPR]], Scott Neuman and Howard Berkes. February 7, 2008.</ref> Mitt Romney withdrew with some protest, leaving McCain the clear front-runner.<ref>Bumiller, Elisabeth, Kirkpatrick, David. "Romney Is Out; McCain Emerges as G.O.P. Choice." Feb. 8, 2008. New York Times.</ref> Although McCain's proportion of the vote was not much higher than Romney's, he won most of the 'winner take all' states giving him a much higher proportion of the delegate count. Without Romney's well-financed opposition, McCain easily clinched the necessary delegate lead of 1,191 in March after a spirited yet short-lived fight from Mike Huckabee.<ref>[httphttps://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18739137 Election 2008: Huckabee, Romney Stay in Race for GOP Nomination], [[NPR]], February 6, 2008.</ref>

McCain has emphasized reducing government spending over tax cuts. He is was one of the Senate's most outspoken critics of pork -barrel spending and has had pledged to veto any bill with pork as President. Congressional experience has enabled John McCain to identify items that are were unnecessary. McCain is 's website claimed he was fiscally responsible with the taxpayers' money and created a simple method to detect spending abuses.<ref>[http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=d1a878d9-f16c-4570-b402-9d1bc3fe6ab9] , http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=d1a878d9-f16c-4570-b402-9d1bc3fe6ab9, U.S. Senate Pork Barrel Spending</ref>

Since the tax cuts, [[IRS]] revenues increased from $1.78 trillion in 2003 to $2.56 trillion in 2007 with a 46.3% increase of individual income tax receipts. Surging $785 billion since the 2003 investment tax cuts, it is the largest four-year revenue increase in U.S. history<ref>[httphttps://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119189497675953035 The Shrinking Deficit], [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref>

During this same time period, spending mandated by Congress has also increased by more than 29 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars, representing an 11.4 percent increase in federal spending as a percentage of [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]. This spending has doubled the federal debt, increasing it from 58 to 66 percent of GDP. Defense spending increased 61 percent, and non-defense by 23 percent during the eight years since 2000. The largest non-defense spending increase has been for federally-funded medical expenses, at 54 percent.<ref>[http://www.aier.org/research/commentaries/750-big-government-under-the-bush-administration Big Government Under The Bush Administration], AIER, 16 November 2008</ref> In total, Congress and the White House has increased government expenditures by the largest percentage since the administration of President [[Lyndon Johnson]], but McCain has opposed every earmark put forward in the Democratic and Republican congresses, even ones Bush supported. Part of the huge spending increases are directly traceable to the economic repercussions of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the economic downturn in its aftermath, and increased defense and Homeland Security spending. However, this appears likely to be eclipsed by the spending plans of [[Barack Obama]], who pledged on 6 December 2008 to invest "record amounts of money" in infrastructure, a plan which some members of Congress are estimating at $400 to $700 billion.<ref>[httphttps://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/us/politics/07radio.html?ref=us Obama Pledges Public Works on a Vast Scale], [[The New York Times]], 6 December 2008</ref>

McCain's policies have caused general economic growth. This is was partially due to changes in the stock market that lead to a record high in 2007, although the [[NASDAQ]] is was still down considerably from the levels it was at before the Dot-com bubble burst. Corporations showed profits growing by double digits growth.<ref>[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/markets/us/2006-05-08-mart-usat_x.htm Dow closing in on record high], [[USA Today]]</ref> Even the working class benefited from the Bush economy, as unemployment hit an all-time low in March 2007.<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/economy</ref> McCain supported a minimum wage increase, one of the platforms for the Democrats in the 2006 Congressional elections, after the House and Senate included McCain's request of provisions for small-business tax breaks.<ref>[httphttps://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/20/AR2006122001784.html Bush Supports Democrats' Minimum Wage Hike Plan], [[Washington Post]]</ref><ref>[httphttps://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011001666.html House Passes Increase in Minimum Wage to $7.25], [[Washington Post]]</ref> Tax policies have been favorable to reducing the [[Capital Gains Tax]], with a subsequent surge in investment.

John McCain staunchly opposes opposed [[earmarks]] as [[corrupt]] and wasteful spending. In his 28 years in federal government, McCain has never requested an earmark. He vigorously crusaded against earmarks in his 2008 presidential campaign.

McCain supports supported [[school vouchers]] and [[charter school]]s. His voting record shows showed support for reducing the federal government's role in [[education]]. He voted for school vouchers for Washington, D.C., education savings accounts, and against $5 billion for grants to local educational agencies. McCain sponsored the Education A-Plus bill in 1997 and again in 1999, which allowed parents to open tax-free saving accounts for their children's school supplies. McCain also co-sponsored the Child Nutrition Act, which would provide [[federal funding]] for at-risk children. He has publicly stated he supports [[intelligent design]] teaching in schools.<ref>http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/90069 "On Tuesday, though, he sided with the president on two issues that have made headlines recently: teaching intelligent design in schools...McCain told the Star that, like Bush, he believes "all points of view" should be available to students studying the origins of mankind."</ref>

McCain's record and stated positions on [[health care]] are based on true conservative principleswere mixed. He is against claimed to oppose socialized health care and health coverage mandates. McCain supports supported tax credits for personal health savings accounts and enhancing competition in the health care healthcare industry to improve quality and lower costs. He also supports supported allowing citizens to purchase out-of-state health insurance. In an October 2007 statement, McCain said: "In health care, we believe in enhancing the freedom of individuals to receive necessary and desired care. We do not believe in coercion and the use of state power to mandate care, coverage or costs." McCain is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership.<ref>[http://www.republicanmainstreet.org/healthcare.htm Pro Healthcare]</ref>However, in 2017, McCain cast the deciding vote to keep [[ObamaCare]], which went completely against those stated positions.

John McCain has stated "ethanol subsidies, tariff barriers and sugar quotas drive up food prices and hurt Americans. However, we cannot take the wrong direction and cut off trade for American goods."<ref>[http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/4dbd2cc7-890e-47f1-882f-b8fc4cfecc78.htm], McCain Economic Plan</ref> “America’s "America’s most vital interests call us to the mission of energy security, and so does our sense of honor. And the straightest, swiftest path to energy security is to produce more, use less, and find new sources of power — so that no commodity can determine our security, and no crisis can undermine our economy,” " McCain said in Houston, TX, June 16, 2008. He proposes to remove federal obstacles to offshore drilling. Among his major initiatives is the removal of the 27-year old federal moratorium on states’ abilities to explore and drill for oil and natural gas.<ref>[http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/06/17/mccain-slaps-obama-on-energy-calls-for-more-drilling/ McCain slaps Obama on energy], June 17th, 2008</ref> In addition, he wants the states to receive incentives and royalties to drill. The current ban on offshore drilling covers an estimated 80 percent of U.S. coastal waters."We've seen the impact of it in the form of food prices, in the form of gasoline, in the form of threats of inflation and indeed indications of inflation, and we must embark on a national mission to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil." <ref>[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2008-06-16-2824987828_x.htm McCain urges end to ban on offshore drilling], [[USA Today]]</ref> He indicated, though, that the end of the ban on offshore drilling would have mostly psychological effects in the short term. At a town hall meeting, McCain stated, "I don't see an immediate relief, but I do see that exploitation of existing reserves that may exist -- and in view of many experts that do exist off our coasts -- is also a way that we need to provide relief. Even though it may take some years, the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial."He would support incentives for building new nuclear power plants.<ref>[http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2008/06/24/4434679-obamamccain-psychological-benefit?lite Obama/McCain: 'Psychological' benefit?], [[MSNBC]]</ref> John McCain wants more nuclear reactors to increase America's energy independence. He is calling for the construction of 45 new reactors by 2030. Also, McCain wants to increase federal funds for clean coal technology by 2 billion dollars to reduce dependence on foreign oil.<ref>[httphttps://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/us/politics/19nuke.html?_r=0 McCain Sets Goal of 45 New Nuclear Reactors by 2030], [[The New York Times]]</ref>

McCain's position on [[global warming]] issues has put him at odds with conservatives. His [[environment]]al proposals are mostly sound modern thinking by someone that understands the enormity of the problem. McCain says that we can go green as a nation without bankrupting America. Per his website, Senator McCain "wants to leave a better future for our children." On January 2007, McCain said, "we continue to learn more about the science of climate change and the dangerous precedence of not addressing this environmental problem. The science tells us that urgent and significant action is needed." On October 30, 2003, he co-sponsored the Climate Stewardship Act (S.139), which was defeated. McCain is was a member of, and was endorsed by, the Republicans for Environmental Protection organization. His conservative stances include included voting to confirm Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior and he is in favor of renewable energy such as solar, hydro, and wind. "Wind power is one of many alternative energy sources that are changing our economy for the better, and one day they will change our economy forever."

John McCain says that flip-flopped on immigration issues, but he will secure leaned toward the borders first and many [[immigrationLiberal|Left]] on the issue are still needed but will have to come later. In 2007, McCain worked to provide border security efforts with a temporary worker program and an eventual path to citizenship for many illegal immigrants. Conservatives wanted nothing to do with the proposal and in June 2007, Congress' efforts collapsed. McCain said of the outcome,"I say it is a lesson learned about what the American people's priorities are. And their priority is to secure the borders." <ref>[httphttps://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-11-03-610628094_x.htm McCain emphasizes border security], [[AP]], November 4, 2007</ref> "..I support the same solution. But we've got to secure the borders first" says McCain

On Jan. 5, regarding the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, Senator McCain announced that anyone who says he supported amnesty is "a liar, is lying." The senator stated "I do not support, nor would I ever support, any services provided to someone who came to this country illegally, nor would I ever and I never have supported [[Social Security]] benefits for people who are in this country illegally. Any assertion to the contrary is absolutely false." During the comprehensive immigration reform debate, Senator McCain voted to table an amendment that would have prevented illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security who "are not able to receive Social Security benefits as a result of unlawful activity."<ref>httphttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00130</ref> Senator McCain stated in a May 29, 2003 interview, "Amnesty has to be an important part because there are people who have lived in this country for 20, 30 or 40 years, who have raised children here and pay taxes here and are not citizens." Arguing amnesty is not a free pass or a reward for law breaking, McCain stated, "Well, because amnesty, according to the dictionary, is forgiveness. The proposal that we had- would require fines, would require back in the line, would require deportation for some. It would require others to go back to the country of their origin" <ref>[http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/John_McCain_Immigration.htm] , Ontheissues.com, John McCain on Immigration</ref> At the [[Republican]] debate at the Reagan Library, McCain stated he supports the deportation of 2 million illegals who have committed crimes in the USA.

Conversely, in a June 2008 meeting with Hispanic leaders in Chicago, McCain indicated he would push legislation to overhaul federal immigration laws if elected. According to one attendee, Rosanna Pulido, head of the Illinois [[Minuteman Project]], ""He's one John McCain in front of white Republicans. And he's a different John McCain in front of Hispanics..." <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081008102435/httphttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/20/mccain-discusses-immigrat_n_108297.html McCain Discusses Immigration With Hispanic Leaders]</ref><ref>[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-06-19-4020801806_x.htm McCain Meets With Hispanic Leaders]</ref> Pulido further stated, "He was telling one group of people one thing and the Hispanics another, I'm a conservative and I think he's throwing conservatives under the bus."<ref>[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/06/title----mcca-1.html McCain Double-Talk on Immigration?]</ref> Due to his support, members of the Minuteman Project, participating in the Minuteman Project Caravan, traveled to Washington, D.C. to register their disapproval. They made an entry into McCain's Guest Log Book asking him to uphold the Constitution and enforce the law. After making the entry, the group was forced to leave by a senior staffer for Senator McCain or be reported to the police.<ref>[http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1643181/posts Minuteman Project Thrown Out of McCain's Office]</ref>

Senator McCain's position on illegal immigration has arguably resulted in the most criticisms from conservatives. On May 12, 2005, McCain joined Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] (D-[[Massachusetts]]) as co-sponsor of the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. The bill would legalize and eventually grant citizenship to the estimated 12–20 million [[illegal alien]]s in the United States and have them immediately start collecting social security and other government benefits. The bill never came for a vote on the Senate floor. The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 are two additional compromises based on the original McCain-Kennedy bill. McCain has consistently voted for visas for skilled workers. McCain voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and has said border security should be a bigger priority then the illegal aliens who are currently here. In 2018, McCain criticized pro-Trump Republicans' views on immigration, claiming they were on the "wrong side of ... progress" and siding with the [[establishment]].<ref name="Lee2018">Lee, Tony (May 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/09/john-mccain-pro-trump-republicans-wrong-side-immigration-debate/ John McCain: Pro-Trump Republicans on ‘Wrong Side’ of Immigration Debate]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 9, 2018.</ref> In June 2018, McCain condemned Trump for pursuing a zero tolerance border policy despite having supported the same policy with [[Jeff Flake]] as recently as 2015.<ref>Munro, Neil (June 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/2018-elections/2018/06/19/sen-mccain-flip-flops-zero-tolerance-urges-no-detention-migrants/ Sen. McCain Flip-Flops on ‘Zero Tolerance,’ Now Urges Zero Enforcement]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 19, 2018.</ref><ref>Tillett, Emily (June 19, 2018). [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-mccain-slams-family-separation-policy-as-an-affront-to-american-decency/ John McCain slams family separation policy as an "affront" to American decency]. ''CBS News''. Retrieved June 19, 2018.</ref>

McCain has actively supported reducing barriers to trade and has shown leadership in the so-called [[United States SenateFree trade|Senate]] on "Free " Trade ]] Agreements (FTA). Senator McCain supports supported both pending FTAs for Columbia and [[South Korea]].<ref>[http://useconomy.about.com/od/candidatesandtheeconomy/p/McCain_Trade.htm], John McCain and Trade</ref> He voted for and defends the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

McCain is was a strong supporter of private [[Social Security]] accounts.

McCain urges urged the Senate to pass FISA. “For "For months, House Democrats, the [[ACLU]], and the trial lawyers have held up legislation to modernize our nation’s nation's terrorist surveillance laws. Today, the House passed a compromise bill to end this impasse. While I would have preferred to see the Senate bill enacted, which I voted for earlier this year, I am pleased Congressional leaders and the Administration were able to reach an agreement to reform our current surveillance law and not let FISA expire in August. I hope [[United States Senate|Senate]] Democrats will allow this matter to quickly be considered by the Senate and sent to the President for his signature. I will support this measure and hope that politics will be put aside in favor of this vital national security matter.” "<ref>[http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=a7f9dc6c-da0e-459d-dd6c-91e20a46e1e5] , McCAIN URGES SENATE PASSAGE OF FISA

McCain has voted in support of the [[Patriot Act|USA PATRIOT Act]] as well as National Missile Defense. However, he has joined [[liberal]]s in support of immediately closing [[Guantanamo Bay]], and moving all the prisoners to Fort Leavenworth. On October 3, 2005, he introduced the McCain Detainee Amendment which prohibits inhumane treatment of prisoners, including prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. The bill was passed and signed by President [[George W. Bush]]. McCain has recently criticized the practice of [[waterboarding]], saying "they should know what it is. It is not a complicated procedure. It is torture." McCain voted against HR 2082, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which included provisions that would have prevented the CIA from water boarding waterboarding prisoners.

McCain is currently calling called for 15,000 additional troops to address the situation in Afghanistan, similar to his victorious 2007 troop surge in Iraq.

McCain has said that "We continue to be concerned about [[Iran]]ian influence and assistance to Hezbollah as well as Iranian pursuit of nuclear weapons." He tried to ban Iran from playing in the 2006 World Cup, citing Iranian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]]'s [[Holocaust]] denials.

[[Image:610x.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Senator John McCain with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, 03/17/08]] McCain voted with the majority [[Republican]] Party and 29 Democrats of the Senate in favor of the 2002 "[[Iraq War]] Resolution" authorizing President George W. Bush to go to war against Iraq and overthrow the [[Saddam Hussein]] regime. In 1998, McCain voted in favor of HR 4655 Iraq Liberation Act, signed by then -President Clinton.<ref>[http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Legislation/ILA.htm], http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Legislation/ILA.htm, HR4655 Public Law: 105-338, October 31, 1998</ref> HR 4655 declares that it should be the policy of the United States to seek to remove the Saddam Hussein regime from power in Iraq and to replace it with a democratic government. McCain went on to became a critic of the management of the war, arguing that there wasn't enough troop strength in the area. However, he never became a defeatist advocating surrender. McCain publicly stated that he had "no confidence" in then-Secretary of Defense [[Donald Rumsfeld]]. However, he refused to call for his resignation, saying that "the President picks his team, and the president has the right to stay with that team if he wants to." McCain became one of the strongest leading advocates in the Senate for the 2007 troop surge, which increased the number of American troops by 20,500, deployed to provide security to [[Baghdad]] and Al Anbar Province. On February 4, he criticized a non-binding resolution opposing the troop buildup, calling it a reckless "vote of no confidence" in the U.S. Commanders and in the military. Additionally, he voted against all measures aimed at withdrawal of U.S. forces and voted against cutting off of war funds. McCain rightly believes that Congress should not micromanage the war and to give the military everything they ask for to successfully complete the mission. He has mentioned in a town hall forum that staying the course in Iraq for 'a hundred years' would not bother him if no American soldier's were losing their lives. This became an issue for Democratic political strategy. The DNC lead by chairman [[Howard Dean]] repeatedly tried to use false statements in justifying attacking McCain.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080515102655/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2008/04/mccains_100year_war.html McCain's '100-year war'], [[Washington Post]], April 2, 2008</ref> What McCain said is very different from what the liberal media and the DNC were reporting. Asked in Derry, NH of the willingness to keep troops in Iraq for 50 years, he said "Make it 100" and

[[File:John-mccain-sergei-millian-600x395.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Alleged Russian agent [[Sergei Millian]] colluding with Sen. John McCain.]]Senator McCain has strongly criticized [[Russia]]n President [[Vladimir Putin]]. During a primary debate he said, ""He bullies his neighbors and he wants to get a control of the energy supply of Western Europe. This is a dangerous person. And he has to understand that there's a cost to some of his actions." In 2005 McCain and [[Connecticut]] senator [[Joe Lieberman]] drafted a resolution banning Russia from attending the Group of 8 (G8) international forum. McCain is also a strong supporter of ballistic national missile defenses.

McCain forcefully supports supported the [[Cuban United States embargoagainst Cuba]] and believes believed it should be maintained until certain specific political freedoms are restored to the country.<ref>[httphttps://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/us/politics/21mccain.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&fta=y&adxnnlx=1222106556-zea3cQG12OakFI9P97dogQ Cuba Is Topic as McCain Continues Attack on Obama], [[The New York Times]]</ref>

During the [[Syrian Civil War]] McCain wanted to arm the Islamist opposition with weapons and also called for an air strike against the Syrian president [[Bashar al-Assad]].<ref>[httphttps://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/05/mccain-calls-for-air-strikes-against-syrias-assad/ McCain calls for air strikes against Syria's Assad], [[Fox News]]</ref>

McCain supported During the EuroMaidan protests in [[UkraineUkrainian crisis]] McCain called U.S. military support for Ukraine "right and has ties to the nazi-party decent". He called for [[SvobodaPresident Obama]]to take actions to restore the United States' credibility and strength around the world.<ref>[http://wwwpoliticalticker.salonblogs.cnn.com/2014/0203/2515/is_the_us_backing_neo_nazis_in_ukraine_partnermccain-calls-u-s-military-support-for-ukraine-right-and-decent/ Is </ref> McCain praised the US backing neo-Nazis in Ukraine? ], decision of [[Salon Media GroupPresident Trump]]to provide anti-tank munitions to Ukraine and called it "another significant step in the right direction". He explained that this action "sends a strong signal that the United States will stand by its allies and partners as they fight to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity. This decision is years overdue".<ref>https://www.unian.info/politics/2315336-mccain-comments-on-trumps-decision-to-provide-anti-tank-munitions-to-ukraine.html</ref>

Sen. John McCain has had more than a twenty-year anti-[[abortionpro-life]] record, first in the [[U.S. House of Representatives]], then in the U.S. Senate. McCain voted 11 times on anti-abortion and other [[pro-life]] issues in the House. Senator McCain has voted 119 times on anti-abortion and other pro-life measures in the Senate.<ref>[http://www.naral.org/assets/files/mccain_fact_sheet.pdf], http://www.naral.org/assets/files/mccain_fact_sheet.pdf</ref>

McCain's record in the Senate on abortion is was pro-life. He voted for the 2003 Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. McCain has also voted against government funding of birth control and sex education.<ref>httphttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00214 Voted Nay on an amendment to authorize grants to carry out programs to provide education on preventing teen pregnancies</ref><ref>httphttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00075 Vote against allocation of $100m for prevention of unintended pregnancies</ref><ref>http://www.nowpublic.com/quiet-campaign-against-contraception Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain's campaign officials boast that he has "consistently voted against taxpayer-funded contraception programs." And Mr. McCain reports that his adviser on sexual-health matters is Sen. Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma, who leads campaigns claiming condoms are unsafe and opposing emergency contraception.</ref> During his first Presidential campaign for the 2000 election, McCain said the following on [[Roe v. Wade]], "I'd love to see a point where it is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations." <ref>[httphttps://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/feb/07021908.html McCain’s Rejection of Roe v. Wade Seems As Wobbly as His Rejection of Gay "Marriage"], [[LifeSiteNews]]</ref> He has since changed his position, saying Roe v. Wade should be overturned.

McCain's record on [[gun control]] is was mixed. He co-sponsored the Gun Show Loophole Closing and Gun Law Enforcement Act of 2001. This act would reduce the number of gun shows, require gun-owners to purchase trigger locks, and allow federal agents to arrest those who violate federal gun laws. However, McCain has frequently voted in support of the Second Amendment, such as voting against background checks at gun shows and voting in support of prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. In August 1999, McCain said he was open to voting for an assault weapon ban, depending on the details. However, he still voted against the Federal Assault Weapons Ban and the efforts to renew it, as well as the Brady Bill.

A top official of the [[National Rifle Association]] said McCain has been was a reliable ally of gun owners despite divisions with the powerful lobbying group on some issues. NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre told The Associated Press "...We're not foolish enough to ignore the vast areas of agreement in which John McCain has been a friend to gun owners." <ref>[http://www.gopusa.com/news/2008/may/0514_nra_mccain.shtml], http://www.gopusa.com/news/2008/may/0514_nra_mccain.shtml, NRA chief stresses common ground with McCain, May 14, 2008</ref> The Republican presidential nominee has voted against a ban on assault-type weapons with restrictions which were objected. In 2013 he voted to block his colleagues' filibuster and was one of four Republicans who voted for the Manchin-Toomey background checks gun control bill.

In the speech on the Senate floor July 13, 2004, McCain stated “Mr"Mr. President, most Americans believe, as I do, that the institution of marriage should be reserved for the union of a man and a woman." <ref>http://www.friendsofmccain.com/news/dspnews.cfm?id=143</ref> John McCain revealed his decision based on super majority requirements and the current political realities within Congress. “By my count, there is not at this time even a small majority of senators who would vote for Senator Allard’s amendment, much less the 67 votes required by the Constitution. That won’t change, Mr. President, unless public opinion changes significantly. The [[Founders]], wisely, made certain that the Constitution is difficult to amend, and, as a practical political matter, can’t be done without overwhelming public approval. And thank God for that. Were it any easier I fear we could not make the claim for the Constitution’s enduring success that I have just made." Further, he explained his approach to the amendment's ultimate success “If a constitution is to be amended, Mr. President, it should be a state constitution." McCain voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court effectively created a ruling to grant same-sex partners equal rights to [[Marriage]] and to be recognized by the state. A spokesman for Republican John McCain, who opposes gay marriage, said the Arizona senator "doesn't believe judges should be making these decisions."

McCain has had a very strained relationship with the traditional conservative base over the years, with some going as far as to term describe his relationship with grassroots activists as "vicious".<ref>[httphttps://www.newsmax.com/Politics/Ken-Cuccinelli-John-McCain-Senate-Conservatives-republican/2015/04/09/id/637565/ Cuccinelli: 'Vicious Anti-Conservative' McCain Must be Ousted], [[Newsmax]]</ref> Instead, McCain has seemingly preferred to pal around with liberal journalists.

As early as the 2000 election, McCain's own aids jokingly used to say that "McCain's base was the media".<ref>[httphttps://www.weeklystandard.com/mccain-and-the-conservatives/article/14601 McCain and the Conservatives], [[Weekly Standard]]</ref> Over the years, McCain's loyalty to conservatives drifted further apart, while he continued to shore up his base in the media.<ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/mccain-feeds-his-base-bbq-84405 McCain Feeds His ‘Base’ BBQ], [[Newsweek]]</ref><ref>[httphttps://www.nysun.com/opinion/wooing-the-press/78708/ Wooing the Press]</ref>

During a campaign stop for then -candidate McCain, [[Bill Cunningham]] stated: "at one point, the media will quit taking sides in this thing and start covering Barack Hussein Obama." McCain took offense to these remarks, specifically the use of Obama's middle name "Hussein", and went on the offense against Cunningham.<ref>[httphttps://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/mccain-repudiates-hussein-obama-remarks/?_r=0 McCain Repudiates ‘Hussein Obama’ Remarks], [[The New York Times]]</ref>

On July 27th27, 2011, McCain derided<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/28/nation/la-na-mccain-tea-party-20110728 John McCain derides 'tea party hobbits' in debt ceiling fight], [[Los Angeles Times]]</ref> members of the Tea Party in a speech on the floor of the senateSenate,<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7GfPEtyQsE McCain Floor Speech - Tea Party Hobbits], He said: "The idea seems to be, that if the House GOP refuses to raise the debt ceiling, a default crisis or gradual government shutdown will ensue, and the public will turn en-masse against Barack Obama. The Republican House that failed to raise the debt ceiling would somehow escape all the blame. Then Democrats would have no choice but to pass a balanced budget amendment and reform entitlements, and the tea party hobbits would return to middle earth having defeated Mordor."</ref> where he stated his disagreement with "tea party hobbits". The following night, he appeared on Hannity's show on Fox, and continued to act indignant about his position.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgnRtPHnOH4 John McCain Defends Trashing Tea Party]</ref>

A month later McCain was asked about his "Lord of the Rings" reference, and he still refused to apologize.<ref>[httphttps://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/176055--mccain-not-sorry-for-tea-party-hobbits-comment Sen. McCain won’t apologize for ‘Tea Party hobbits’ comment]</ref>

When John Brennan was nominated for the position as CIA director, Rand Paul led a filibuster in opposition. He was later joined by senators Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, Jerry Moran, Marco Rubio, Saxby Chambliss, and Pat Toomey. In response, McCain called Paul, Lee, and Cruz "Wacko birds".<ref>[httphttps://www.nationalreview.com/article/349919/mccain-against-wacko-birds-jonathan-strong McCain Against the ‘Wacko Birds’], [[National Review]]</ref>

Lost in McCain's high-profile national activity has been what McCain does in his home state of Arizona.<ref>[httphttps://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/john-mccain-arizona-tea-party-113849 McCain's big purge], [[Politico]], The Arizona senator’s team has been ridding the state’s GOP apparatus of his tea party foes.</ref>

In Arizona, McCain gained considerable ire from conservative activists for his unseating of conservative activists from positions, in order to lay the continued groundwork for his own re-elections.<ref>[httphttps://hotair.com/archives/2014/12/30/mccains-team-quietly-purging-arizona-gop-of-tea-party-foes-before-2016-reelection-bid/ McCain’s team quietly purging Arizona GOP of tea-party foes before 2016 reelection bid]</ref> There was some speculation that this was revenge for him being censured by the AZ GOP.<ref>[http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/248414/mccain-using-obama-san-francisco-donor-purge-daniel-greenfield McCain Using Obama San Francisco Donor to Purge Arizona Tea Partiers]</ref><ref>[http://archive.azcentral.com/news/politics/articles/20140125arizona-republican-party-mccain-censure-gop.html Arizona GOP censures McCain for ‘disastrous’ record]</ref>

On April 9th9, 2015, [[Judicial Watch]] released documents pointing to pressure against Lois Lerner to target [[Tea Party]] groups, seemingly coming from senators [[Carl Levin]] and John McCain.<ref>[http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-irs-documents-reveal-lerner-knew-targeting-criteria-of-nonprofit-groups-might-raise-questions/ Judicial Watch: IRS Documents Reveal Lerner Knew Targeting Criteria of Nonprofit Groups ‘Might Raise Questions’]</ref><ref>[https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2015/04/11/key-mccain-aides-moved-to-silence-tea-party/ Key McCain Aides Moved To Silence Tea Party]</ref> McCain was quick to respond on Twitter, stating that the reports were "false".<ref>[https://pjmedia.com/blog/john-mccain-lashes-out-at-judicial-watch-over-damning-irs-doc-release/ John McCain Lashes Out at Judicial Watch over Damning IRS Doc Release]</ref><ref>[http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2015/04/mccain-counters-reports-of-jws-recent-irs-doc-release/ McCain Counters Reports of JW’s Recent IRS Doc Release]</ref>

McCain has been married twice. His first marriage, to Carol Shepp, ended in [[divorce]] in 1980 after 15 years, of which he spent five in captivity. McCain publicly acknowledges the responsibility for the breakup as his, stating in a 2008 interview with Pastor Rick Warren that "My greatest moral failing, and I have been a very imperfect person, is the failure of my first marriage".<ref>[httphttps://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/rules021299.htm Rewriting the Rules], [[Washington Post]]</ref> His second and current wife is Cindy Lou Hensley, to whom he has been married for 28 years. His son John Sidney IV is a Midshipman at the [[United States Naval Academy]], Annapolis, and his son James is a non-commissioned officer in the [[United States Marine Corps]], who is serving in [[Iraq]] as part of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]. Also, the McCains adopted a ten-week old baby girl in 1993, who they named Bridget, from [[Mother Teresa]]'s orphanage in [[Bangladesh]].<ref>[http://celebrity.rightpundits.com/?p=3183 Bridget McCain Biography] Rightpundits.com</ref><ref>[http://www.newsanalysisindia.com/109022008.htm Bridget vs Sonia: McCain vs Rajiv Gandhi] News Analysis India</ref>

*McCain, John [httphttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=513224&in_page_id=1811 ''My six years of hell: John McCain recalls life as a prisoner of war in Vietnam''] 8 February 2008 [[Daily Mail]]. Accessed 9 February 2008*[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/25/john-mccains-military-career-from-his-time-as-vietnam-war-pow-to-role-in-passing-defense-bill.html John McCain's military career, from his time as Vietnam War POW to role in passing defense bill], by Madeline Farber of Fox News*[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/25/john-mccains-political-accomplishments.html John McCain's political accomplishments] by Kaitlyn Schallhorn of Fox News ==See also==*[[Spygate]]

*[httphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQsckD9trn4&eurl=http://evangelicalsformccain.org/meetthesenator.htm ''John McCain: Courageous Service''] - Streaming video documentary hosted at YouTube, including footage of McCain's time as a POW and the Forrestal incident.

[[Category:American war heroesWar Heroes]]