Republican nominee for President; Senior Senator (AZ):
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- Bush: "I didn't campaign for McCain because he didn't ask". (Nov 2010)
- OpEd: Sought Christian endorsements, then rejected them. (Nov 2008)
- I am not President Bush; so don’t run against him!. (Oct 2008)
- Identified with Wright brothers, for tenacity & resolve. (Oct 2008)
- America is an idea and a cause worth fighting for. (Sep 2008)
- I’m running for president because my country saved me. (Sep 2008)
- Serve a cause greater than yourself. (Sep 2008)
- I’m a proud citizen of the greatest country on Earth. (Sep 2008)
- Reform, prosperity, and peace. (Aug 2008)
- 1980s: Paid back $112,000 in donations from Charles Keating. (Mar 2008)
- Keating scandal made McCain averse to partisanship. (Mar 2008)
- My most basic conservative principle: liberty comes from God. (Feb 2008)
- Disagrees with his mom; he can unite the party. (Feb 2008)
- Anticipates spirited debate on differences with Democrats. (Feb 2008)
- Proud of Justice O’Connor; favor Roberts and Alito. (Jan 2008)
- Reagan knows that I stick with my principles. (Jan 2008)
- GovWatch: No, Constitution says we’re not a Christian nation. (Jan 2008)
- Able to work with others with own set of principles. (Dec 2007)
- OpEd: congenital contrarian on numerous conservative issues. (Dec 2007)
- Op-Ed: Unexamined as both straight-talker and as maverick. (Oct 2007)
- Emulates TR on vigor, nationalism, common good, intervention. (Oct 2007)
- Published 5 books over period of 8 years. (Oct 2007)
- Considers his heroes as one of his qualifications to lead. (Oct 2007)
- Praises Teddy Roosevelt's expansion of executive power. (Oct 2007)
- Focus on what America COULD do; not what gov't SHOULDN'T do. (Oct 2007)
- 1999: Voted to convict Pres. Clinton of lying under oath. (Sep 2007)
- 1987: Association with Keating 5 worse than any culpability. (Sep 2007)
- 1991: Rebuked for "poor judgment" in Keating 5; & vindicated. (Sep 2007)
- Most important part of decision-making is self-awareness. (Aug 2007)
- If I lose capacity for anger, I lose capacity to serve. (Apr 2007)
- Courage is the capacity for action despite our fears. (Apr 2004)
- Humility from surviving veterans is remarkable. (Apr 2004)
- Just government is derived from the consent of the governed. (Apr 2004)
- We need moral courage to be honest all the time. (Apr 2004)
- Do the thing you think you cannot do. (Apr 2004)
- The allure of pride affects adults like it affects children. (Apr 2004)
- We are indebted to those who shed blood for us. (Apr 2004)
- It’s love that makes courage necessary. (Apr 2004)
- 2000: Decried "incumbency protection racket" then lost to it. (Oct 2002)
- Political style is to be straightforward. (Sep 2002)
- Principles are more important than personal happiness. (Sep 2002)
- Temper is same as other senators--he’s just more famous. (May 2002)
- Keep tight reign on emotions--not to high nor too depressed. (May 2002)
- Reputation of volcanic temper shared even within GOP. (Oct 2001)
- Re-adjusted to civilian life after POW years: no "imbalance". (Sep 2000)
- Secret Pledge of Allegiance: most meaning of POW's day. (Jul 1971)
- Fight to restore the pride and principles of our party. (Sep 2008)
- Faith bridges unbridgeable gaps in humanity. (Feb 2000)
- Calls himself conservative who attracts political center. (Feb 2000)
- Foreign policy should not be shaped by photo-ops & polls. (Jan 2000)
- Restore, renew, reform, & reinvigorate government. (Sep 1999)
- “New Patriotic Challenge”: stand against cynicism. (Sep 1999)
- Public officials have failed to set example for society. (Aug 1999)
Campaign Themes
- Palin is a reformer and a role model. (Oct 2008)
- I fight for Americans; I fight for you. (Sep 2008)
- Warning to Washington crowd: Change is coming. (Sep 2008)
- Fight for what’s right for our country. (Sep 2008)
- I’m a mainstream conservative; judge my record as a whole. (Feb 2008)
- This 2008 election is about hugely consequential things. (Feb 2008)
- The vision, knowledge, and background to be president. (Jan 2008)
- People want the truth, even if they disagree. (Jan 2008)
- I didn’t manage for profit, I led for patriotism. (Oct 2007)
- Philosophy of worthy sacrifice from For Whom the Bell Tolls. (Oct 2007)
- Hard Calls: consider stakes; time; preparedness; confidence. (Aug 2007)
- Reform gov’t, fight Islamic extremism; & restore integrity. (Apr 2007)
- I am here to serve, but not necessarily as president. (Apr 2007)
- Looks to Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, & Eisenhower as models. (Apr 2007)
- Loyalty is important, but performance should come first. (Apr 2007)
- Man of the People: happy to be a Republican and a Reaganite. (Jan 2004)
- Straight Talk focuses on appeal via authenticity. (May 2002)
Past Campaigns
- July 2007: Stalled campaign seemed hopeless. (Aug 2009)
- Obama broke his word on public campaign financing. (Oct 2008)
- 2000: Positioned himself as anti-establishment underdog. (Mar 2008)
- 2004: Press speculated about Kerry-McCain, but McCain didn't. (Mar 2008)
- Known as a "staunch conservative" until 1999. (Mar 2008)
- GovWatch: 2002: Religious Right are “agents of intolerance”. (Feb 2008)
- FactCheck: Won NH & SC via independents, but lost GOP vote. (Jan 2008)
- 1983: Claiming Hanoi residency ended carpetbagger accusation. (Oct 2007)
- Keating Five scandal converted him to champion of reform. (Oct 2007)
- Keating Five: investigated during 90s Savings & Loan scandal. (Oct 2007)
- 1982: Won House seat by personally knocking on 20,000 doors. (Sep 2007)
- 1983: Flew to Phoenix every weekend in 1st year in Congress. (Sep 2007)
- Absent from Values Voter Presidential Debate. (Sep 2007)
- GOP lost 2006 due to corrupt spending, spending, spending. (Jun 2007)
- Straight Talk America PAC endorses 60 House candidates. (Dec 2006)
- McCain’s PAC endorses 19 Senate & 17 governor candidates. (Dec 2006)
- Denounces “Swift Boat Vets” ads as dishonest. (Aug 2004)
- 2000 race: More grass-roots populism than Republicanism. (Jan 2004)
- 2000 race: Maverick positions became threat to GOP. (Jan 2004)
- Residual bitterness at Bush from 2000 campaign. (May 2002)
- Time for closure on a bizarre situation. (Nov 2000)
- 1990: McCain & Glenn exonerated in Keating 5 scandal. (Sep 2000)
- Won 1992 AZ House election as newcomer & confident war hero. (Sep 2000)
- Suspends campaign, citing Republican preference for Bush. (Mar 2000)
- Will take reform crusade back to the Senate. (Mar 2000)
- Leaves race, urging service to country. (Mar 2000)
- Reagan Republican: simplify taxes, stop waste, pay down debt. (Mar 2000)
- Support conservative issues, not far-right leaders. (Mar 2000)
- The GOP should be inclusive. (Feb 2000)
- Campaigning to return government to the people. (Sep 1999)
Personal History
- Favorite movie: “Viva Zapata”, a heroic tale of sacrifice. (Sep 2008)
- OpEd: Senator Hothead nickname is well-earned. (Mar 2008)
- 1980: Second marriage only 3 months after first divorce. (Mar 2008)
- Inspired by Reagan while in the North Vietnam prison camps. (Jan 2008)
- Spent 10 years “doing everything I can to control my temper”. (Oct 2007)
- As teenager, inherited obligation to attend Annapolis. (Sep 2007)
- Admiral Slew McCain set John’s standard for grit & courage. (Sep 2007)
- Born at a Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone. (Sep 2007)
- Relationship with father was one of respect, more than love. (Sep 2007)
- 1969: Wife Carol crippled in car crash while John was POW. (Sep 2007)
- 1974: First marriage ended in wake of return from POW camp. (Sep 2007)
- 1978: Married Cindy, 25 years younger, started over post-POW. (Sep 2007)
- Not youngest candidate, but certainly the most prepared. (May 2007)
- Admiral McCain’s health failed after retiring from the Navy. (Sep 2002)
- Spent nearly 23 years on active duty in the Navy. (Sep 2002)
- To understand McCain, understand grandfather Slew. (Sep 2000)
- Community of origin is the Navy, not a geographic community. (Sep 2000)
- Described himself as a "jock," but not exceptional. (Sep 2000)
- Temper usually directed at those higher; seldom at underling. (Sep 2000)
- From Hanoi to C.F.R., never chose path of least resistance. (Sep 2000)
- War injuries left him unable to raise arms above head. (Sep 2000)
- Survived as POW by faith to a higher cause. (Nov 1999)
- Refused release to hurt Vietnamese & remain loyal to POWs. (Nov 1999)
- Graduated 5th from bottom of Naval Academy class. (Nov 1999)
- “Profligate rake” during Academy and Junior Officer years. (Nov 1999)
Voting Record
- Voted with Republican Party 87.3% of 165 votes. (Sep 2007)
- Vote based on character, not issues. (Jan 2000)
- Voted NO on confirming of Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court. (Aug 2009)
- Voted YES on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
- Voted YES on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
- Religious affiliation: Episcopalian. (Nov 2000)
- Member of the Republican Main Street Partnership . (Jan 2001)
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Written by
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Doug Ducey on Principles & Values
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