History of John McCain

John Sidney McCain III was born on August 29, 1936, at Coco Solo Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone, a U.S. territory at the time. As the son and grandson of four-star admirals in the U.S. Navy, a commitment to public service ran in his family. McCain’s early life set a strong foundation for his future political career, despite initially being a somewhat reluctant participant in the family tradition.

After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1958, McCain embarked on a career in the Navy, eventually becoming a naval aviator. His life took a dramatic turn during the Vietnam War, where he was shot down over Hanoi in 1967 during a bombing mission. McCain endured more than five years as a prisoner of war, famously turning down early release offers that would violate his personal code of honor, which ultimately shaped his worldview and resilience.

Following his military service, McCain retired from the Navy in 1981 as a captain and sought a new avenue for public service: politics. In 1982, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 1st congressional district. McCain’s time in the House was marked by his advocacy for stronger national defense and an assertion of conservative values, but without losing a pragmatic approach that would become evident throughout his career.

In 1986, McCain successfully ran for the United States Senate, replacing the venerable Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater. During his time in the Senate, McCain became known as a maverick, often willing to speak his mind and reach across the aisle to work with Democrats. His legislative efforts were marked by a strong belief in fiscal responsibility, national security, and campaign finance reform, an area where he worked closely with Democratic Senator Russ Feingold to pass the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, commonly referred to as the McCain-Feingold Act.

McCain's maverick nature sometimes put him at odds with his own party, especially when he took stances that seemed to buck conventional Republican wisdom. For example, he was a vocal critic of certain Republican strategies, such as questioning the effectiveness of the Bush administration's strategy in Iraq and opposing the use of torture as an interrogation technique, drawing heavily from his personal experiences as a POW.

In 2000, McCain made his first run for the presidency, positioning himself as a reform-minded candidate in the Republican primaries. Although his candidacy was popular among independents and moderates, particularly after his triumph in the New Hampshire primary, he ultimately lost the Republican nomination to George W. Bush. This campaign brought national attention to McCain, showcasing his appeal beyond traditional party lines.

Eight years later, in 2008, McCain secured the Republican presidential nomination, running against Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Despite being praised for his military service and his willingness to take bipartisan stances, McCain faced several challenges during this campaign. These included a rapidly changing political landscape, the onset of the financial crisis, and controversies surrounding his vice-presidential pick, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. While McCain's efforts were tireless, he lost to Obama in the general election. Nonetheless, McCain's concession speech was lauded for its grace and honor, reflective of his career-long commitment to civility and public service.

Returning to the Senate, McCain continued to be a prominent figure in American politics. He supported immigration reform, advocated for a strong U.S. global presence, and criticized both Republican and Democratic administrations when he believed they veered off-course. His staunch opposition to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) included a memorable moment in 2017 when, despite his recent brain cancer diagnosis, he returned to Washington to cast a pivotal vote against a Republican effort to repeal the legislation, citing concerns about the process and the lack of a suitable replacement.

McCain's final years in the Senate reflected his dedication to principle over party, a stance that won him both staunch supporters and critics. His call for a return to regular order in the legislative process and his appeals for unity over partisanship underscored his hope for American politics. McCain continued to work diligently on behalf of his constituents and advocated for causes he believed in until his passing on August 25, 2018.

John McCain’s political legacy is marked by his steadfast dedication to American ideals, his willingness to challenge his own party, and his lifelong commitment to service. His story exemplifies the possibilities and the challenges of public life, illustrating the enduring tension between party loyalty and personal principles. As a politician, McCain was neither easy to categorize nor to predict, but his influence on American politics and policy is indisputable, deserving of study and reflection by future generations.