US News
PROFILE: War hero McCain portrays himself as multi-lateralist
Jun 4, 2008, 4:22 GMT
U.S. Senator and Presidential hopeful John McCain speaks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee\'s (AIPAC) annual policy conference at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, USA on 02 June 2008. McCain spoke about the threat that Iran poses to Israel and criticized his Democratic rival Barack Obama for his willingness to talk to Iran. EPA/MATTHEW CAVANAUGH
Washington - John McCain, a decorated war hero with a reputation as an independent legislator, has promised he will not adopt the go-it-alone strategy of the Bush administration if he wins the November 4 election and becomes president.
Although he's a Republican known for taking tough positions when it comes to international affairs, McCain believes the United States must now seek out and respect the opinions of friends and allies before acting militarily.
'Our great power does not mean that we can do whatever we want, whenever we want,' McCain, 71, said during a March foreign policy address in Los Angeles. 'Nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed.'
McCain would bring strong foreign policy credentials to the White House with a Senate career of more than 20 years that has largely focused on foreign policy issues.
His straight-forward manner of speech and tough view on foreign policy resonates with American voters, but he must balance his support for the war in Iraq with adequately distancing himself from unpopular fellow Republican President George W Bush.
McCain supported the original 2003 decision to invade Iraq and advocates keeping US troops in the country as long as necessary to succeed.
But the Arizona senator has also harshly criticized the Bush administration for the post-invasion management, and carries added credibility when it comes to peace and war.
McCain was shot down as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War, and was subjected to torture at the hands of his captors during the more than five years he spent as a prisoner - leading to his status as a war hero.
His experience prompted him to criticize the Bush administration for failing to take steps to ensure detainees of the war on terrorism were not mistreated or tortured.
McCain championed a law in 2005 that banned the inhumane treatment of the prisoners and restricted interrogation methods. He got the law passed by a 90-9 vote despite efforts by Vice President Dick Cheney to thwart the legislation.
McCain's campaign for the White House had been largely overshadowed by the celebrity style candidacies of the more dazzling Barack Obama, who on Tuesday became the first African American to win a major political party's nomination, and his rival, Hillary Clinton, who was vying to become the first woman president.
McCain also must convince voters that he is healthy enough for the country's top job. He'll be 72 on inauguration day in January, which would make him the oldest to ever begin a first term in the White House.
McCain has survived skin cancer and also suffers from achy bone joints from his confinement in Vietnam. But otherwise, doctors gave him a clean bill of health, according to McCain's medical records released by the campaign in May.
McCain was born on August 29, 1936 in Panama while his father, who also served in the Navy, was stationed abroad. McCain left the Navy in 1981 to pursue a career in politics, winning a seat in the House of Representatives the following year. He was elected to the Senate in 1986.
McCain has fought to enact laws to reform political election campaigns and to reduce the influence of lobbyists, although he has been accused of having too close a relationship with lobbyists.
McCain was implicated in a scandal during the 1980s with five other senators collectively dubbed the 'Keating Five.' The affair gave the appearance he had improperly sought to influence government regulators on behalf of Charles Keating, a campaign donor whose bank faced federal seizure.
McCain would later cite the meeting he held with the regulators as the biggest regret of his career. The affair prompted him to pursue an agenda to reduce the role of lobbying in Washington and to place limits on how campaigns raise and spend money.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
No matter how he tries to paint the picture, it is clear to all---George W. Bush III.
...yet, McCain sponsored legislation with Barack Obama...
...and with Senator Feingold.
.and with Ted Kennedy....
he's a guy who seems to get along with everyone...imagine that...!
But by and large he supports Bush's ideals. Tax cuts for the rich, innapropriate and unsupported wars, and plus, we have no way of knowing if he's going to get alzheimers, (excuse my spelling). It could happen at any time.
He doesn't need Alzheimers. His brain is already mush, after all he is a republican, isn't he?
Then there was that other great republican war hee-row, Randy Cunningham. He flew jets in Nam too. How many millions in bribes did he take? I wonder if there was something in the aicraft's oxygen supplies. It seems to turn the brain into something resembling Swiss Cheeze.
..a lot has changed. Alzheimers or brain connectivity disorders are commonly diagnosed by as low as the 60th year. If he had it, it would have manifested itself by now.
Besides, age, or the long view, is going to be a crucial advantage for any President...
Yes, McCain has the long view - of the past, simply because he is so ooooollllldddd. McCain has no forward vision. That is because he has no future.
How would you know about Alzheimers? Have you been diagnosed with it? Is this a result of you smoking that Paraquat soaked Mexican brickweed?
Pperfect
'No matter how he tries to paint the picture, it is clear to all---George W. Bush III.'
Pretty infantile, as always.
pppperfect, your trophy boy and girl just spent 6 months debating....
nothing.
It was all race and gender....gee, stimulating....
Now, the fresh young golden calf has won, by beating the shrew. Good for him. After all, they REALLY couldn't deal him out...right?
Now, you have a real opponent: lifetime political figure, war hero, a real medals-on-the-chest motherf--ker.
There isn't going to be any swiftboaters come out: They ALL like this John!
There isn't going to be any phony 'National Guard' letter, on a dot-matrix printer, from 1968...is there...?
There isn't going to be any 'dumb ol John' because everyone knows he ain't
That leaves his positions and he can fend for himself on those.
The part where you need to start crapping your pants...he ain't that republican!
So, pppperfect, you're fresh out of excuses. Oh yeah, by all means: make fun of his age...it'll REALLY help in Florida!
If his age don't get him, his temper will!
Well, Cain, it has not gotten him yet, and he managed to survive 5 years in a living hell, so don't I think the bad old Oval office will get him, do you?
'McCain has no forward vision. That is because he has no future. '
How many packs of Marlboro's is Barack up to a day? 2? 3?
To my neo-con cohorts on M&C. It appears that most of what you are saying makes no difference.
RCP Average Obama + 2.2%
Gallup Tracking McCain +1.0%
CBS News Poll Obama + 6%
Rasmussen Tracking Obama + 2%
USA Today/Gallup Obama + 3%
Pew Reasearch Obama + 3%
Newsweek Tie
This before anyone points out that John McCain is no Maverick. He has supported most of the Republican't adgenda in the last 4 years, he stands besides GWB on most of GWB's failed policies, has no clue how to fix the economy, has no clue how to get us out of Iraq (does not want to do that) even though 72% of the country wants that, has had lots of lobbiests on his stafe, cannot control the budget of his own campaign (or is not smart enough to hire the right people), the list goes on---and it will be pointed out in the next 6 months.
Keep up the shouting, it is falling on deaf ears.
I don't know what you think, but yes, I do, but hope I don't have to find out!
Vote for Barak Obama! The HONEST leftist!
At least a metal plate and screws are keeping his brains inside his ugly face.
page: 1
a multilateralist...Jun 4th, 2008 - 14:59:54
is a person who doesn't know what they stand for. They try to be all things to all people, as a result they really have no firm convictions. They don't want to disappoint anybody. A multilateralist is so plastic that they were made by DuPont.
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