Full Name: John Sidney McCain III

Current Office: U.S. Senator, Arizona. Elected 1986, fourth term

Born: Coco Solo, US Controlled Panama Canal Zone, August 29, 1936

Education: United States Naval Academy (1958)

Religion: Episcopalian

Family: Married to Cindy Hensley McCain. They have four children: Meghan, Jack, Johnny, Jimmy, and James. John McCain has one child from former wife Carol Shepp (Sydney), and he adopted Carol’s sons (Doug and Andy). John and Cindy adopted youngest daughter Bridget after finding her residing in an orphanage in Bangladesh run by Mother Theresa.

Significant Career Experience:

US Navy, 1954-1981. Retired Captain. Awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and a Distinguished Flying Cross.
US Congress, 1982-1986
US Senate, 1987-present

Publications:

Character Is Destiny: Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember, by John McCain, Mark Salter (2005)

Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life, by John McCain, Mark Salter (2004)

Odysseus in America, by Jonathan Shay, Max Cleland, John S. McCain (foreward) (2002)

Worth the Fighting for: A Memoir, by John McCain, Mark Salter (2002)

Unfinished Business: Afghanistan, the Middle East and Beyond--Defusing the Dangers That Threaten America's Security, by Harlan Ullman, John S. McCain (foreward) (2002)

Faith of My Fathers, by John McCain, Mark Salter (1999)

The Reminiscences of Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., U.S. Navy (retired), by John S. McCain (1999)

Presidential Prospects: Presumptive Republican Nominee

John McCain’s greatest strength heading into the 2008 presidential contest is his propensity to speak his mind and buck traditional ideology. Known as a “maverick” senator, McCain remains pretty popular with self-described independent voters, and in some polls, his level of support among Democrats rivals his Republican support. (Of course, this may be because of dissatisfied Hillary Clinton supporters.) McCain, however, in recent months has been hit in the media as a "flip-flopper." (So has his opponent Barack Obama.) Appearing on Meet the Press with Tim Russert (who bears a hell of a resemblance to Randy Quaid, don't you think?), McCain was grilled on his relationship with Jerry Falwell, particularly Fallbadly's comments about how liberals brought on the 911 attacks. McCain did not back away from Jerry Fallbadly's comments, nor did he back away from Fallbadly hisself. This, after he originally condemned the comments a few years ago. What's up in all of this? Yep, you guessed it -- he's courting the fundamental right because he knows he needs them to get elected. So much for being a "maverick." (Perhaps.)

While he remains fiscally conservative, his views on social issues (pro-life, but supports certain stem-cell research) and support of reformist policies such as campaign finance reform have caused him to run afoul of the Republican base.

McCain's career in the Navy and his tenure as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam are legendary. Shot down over Vietnam on October 26, 1967, McCain spent five and one-half years at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton," with significant portions in solitary confinement -- suffice it to say, he did not enjoy "room service." The experience of torture by his captors and solidarity with his fellow POW's defines McCain for most Americans.

Returning to the United States in 1973, McCain attended the Naval War College. He retired from Naval service in 1981.

McCain won election to Congress from Arizona in 1982 and in 1986 succeeded to the Senate seat held for decades by conservative icon and former Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. In the Senate, McCain's initial focus was on defense and POW issues, but he has gradually broadened his scope to include many other areas. He is currently Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and serves on Armed Services and Commerce, Science, and Transportation committees.

McCain will most likely be the only GOP candidate to have run for president before, an asset that should not be overlooked. Since the first day the “Straight Talk Express” bus crossed the New Hampshire state line in the fall of 1999, McCain has been a hit in the Granite State. He spoke in literally every town and beat President George Bush there 49%-30%.

Political observers have noted, however, that New Hampshire has an open primary and that a significant chunk of McCain’s support there came from independents (and many democrats) who took the republican ballot just to vote for him. In states that rely on caucuses, or closed primaries that rely on a greater percentage of party regulars, look for McCain to struggle. In South Carolina, social conservatives rose up in opposition to the not-conservative-enough McCain and handed him a loss in 2000, stalling the momentum of his New Hampshire win.

This time around, rest assured McCain knows what he’s walking into, and that he’ll be prepared. He may never be the darling of the religious and socially conservative right, but in an environment where several candidates are carving that bloc up, there may be a big enough opening for McCain to steer his moderate, straight-talking campaign to victory. One sour note has been his alienation of economic conservatives with mixed support for the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003.

And with his Straight Talk America PAC funding his travels around the country in order to help Republicans win elections in tough districts, he’ll surely have some friends providing support.

George Bush was speaking the truth to influence, if not power, with his joke about bipartisanship meaning "bringing together Republicans, Democrats, and John McCain". The question is, will the maverick tag help or hurt him in the autumn of 2008? And with the President's and Congress's approval ratings both being low, will McCain (who is running against another Congressman) be the one who hits the campaign trail at the mid-terms, stumping for challengers? Will he impose a litmus test?

See also

• Bill Frist
• Condoleezza Rice
• George Allen
• Mitt Romney
• Rudy Giuliani