Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series, giving VSU a closer look at the 2008 President and Vice-President nominees.

Kenny Bush

Staff Writer

krbush@valdosta.edu

John McCain is a 72-year-old senator from Arizona and the Republican nominee for the 2008 presidential election. A veteran of the Vietnam War, McCain has spent the last 26 years as an active member of congress.

McCain’s service to the United States began in 1967 when he, as a Lieutenant Commander for the US Navy, took part in a bombing campaign during the Vietnam War against the North Vietnamese army. On Oct. 26, 1967, McCain was shot down during his 23rd bombing run and was soon captured by the North Vietnamese.
McCain was taken to the Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the “Hanoi Hotel,” where he would spend the rest of the war as a POW. For the next five and a half years of his life, McCain was severely tortured by his captors.
Because of his father’s high position in the US Navy, the North Vietnamese had offered McCain a chance to leave early for propaganda purposes. McCain declined the offer, saying that he would only accept it on the condition that the prisoners who came before him were released as well.
In 1981, McCain went on to become a Congressman, believing he could “do more good there.” McCain served in the House of Representatives for five years, and then went on to become a Senator for Arizona in 1987.
His career in the Senate got off to a rough start, however, when he was accused of corruption along with four other Senators.

The five were put under investigation for improperly aiding Charles Keating, chairman of Lincoln Savings and Loan Association, who made contributions to them in exchange for helping him in a legal matter.
In the end, the Senate Ethics Committee ruled that McCain played only a minimal part in the “Keating Five Scandal” and was only criticized for exercising poor judgment.
Despite setbacks caused by the scandal, McCain has had a long career in the Senate. Though he votes along with his party most of the time, McCain gained more popularity for not only voting against his party on certain issues, but also speaking out against fellow conservatives like Donald Rumsfeld and Jerry Falwell.
For years, McCain has worked along side Democrats, like Sen. Russ Feingold, for campaign finance reform and the elimination of “pork barrel spending” (the act of spending money to benefit contributors in exchange for political support).
Because of his actions against his own party, McCain has been labeled as a “Maverick” by his peers and the media.
At present, McCain is competing with Democratic nominee Barack Obama to become the next President of the United States of America.
During his campaign, McCain has revealed a plan to rid the nation of its dependence on foreign oil by using nuclear power, drilling off-shore and researching alternative energy sources. McCain supports the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq, believing this to be the best way to secure long-term peace in the region.
The Republican nominee also called for mandatory limits on greenhouse emissions, which the present administration has been against.
McCain’s campaign also supports the continuation of Bush’s tax cuts, which he was originally against.

McCain has kept to Republican ideals on other issues; such as being Pro-Life, the Sanctity of Marriage, and tighter border patrol.
Regardless of the outcome in November, McCain will continue to be a war hero who has served his country both on foreign soil and domestic for more than 48 years.