About John McCain

John Sidney McCain III (born August 29, 1936) is an American politician. Widely recognized as a maverick Republican, McCain has been a U.S. Senator from Arizona since 1987, winning re-election in 1992, 1998, and 2004. He was a presidential candidate in the 2000 election, but was defeated in the Republican primaries by then-Texas Governor and now President George W. Bush.

McCain was born in Coco Solo in the Panama Canal Zone, the son and grandson of prominent U.S. Navy admirals (John S. McCain, Jr. and John S. McCain, Sr.). He attended Episcopal High School and graduated in 1954. McCain then followed in his fathers\' footsteps to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1958.

McCain is conservative on many military and fiscal issues, but more liberal on a few social issues, causing some Republicans (generally social conservatives) to call him a Republican In Name Only. He once fought against funding the construction of a new aircraft carrier, saying the money should be spent on the 12,000 enlisted families who were on food stamps. He is strongly pro-life and equally strongly against tobacco. He supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq and his speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention centered around that theme. His appeal during the 2000 presidential campaign was based on honesty, style and personal image rather than any label of liberal or conservative.

McCain was principally responsible for forcing a re-evaluation of the USAF KC-767 leasing contract. He has also been noted for opposition to President Bush\'s tax cuts. His concerns over global warming and other environmental issues have also put him at odds with the Bush administration and other Republicans. In addition, he voted with the Democrats against the Federal Marriage Amendment, reaffirming his position as a political moderate.