By Erica Schwanke © 2008

This article is the second in a series appearing in the politics section that will serve as an overview of individuals running for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations. Each of these articles will include a brief biography and a review of the candidate’s stance on a set of issues that especially concern young adults and families. This article is on John McCain.

In 1982 John McCain made his first appearance in the United States Congress, in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Arizona’s first congressional district. Born on the Coco Solo Air Base in 1936, John McCain stayed true to family tradition and after graduating from high school moved on to attend the United States Naval Academy. In 1967 McCain entered the war in Vietnam. Upon his return McCain continued his career in the military until 1982, when he entered politics, calling it his “second career.” In 1986 McCain was elected U.S. senator from Arizona and was reelected in 1992, 1998, and 2004. McCain was a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2000 presidential election, but he was defeated by George W. Bush.

The Issues

Health Care:

McCain believes preserving the quality of health care is the individual’s responsibility. McCain’s plan for health care focuses on making it more affordable without a government-mandated universal system or mandated coverage. McCain’s plan is to give individuals a $2,500 refundable tax credit for health care expenses or $5,000 per family, which he says will allow people to go anyplace in the United States to acquire the medical insurance policy that best suits their needs while still making them more responsible for their health care costs. McCain’s hope for the success of this plan is rooted in two things: first, he believes that if the recipient is responsible, then there is less chance for abuse of the system. Second, McCain believes his plan will ensure more people are covered yet not negatively affect the quality of health care in the United States.

Education:

McCain believes that increasing choice and competition in education will result in an increase in the quality of education, which he has stated is already increasing. When addressing the quality of public schools and public education in the United States, McCain states his desire to see an increase in charter schools, home schooling, and vouchers. McCain also believes in rewarding teachers and schools that have excellent performance, while removing teachers and schools that have undesirable performance. McCain believes that this increase in competition will result in a higher level of public education.

Civil Rights:

McCain does not support a federal nondiscrimination law that would outlaw job discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation and voted against the legislation expanding hate crime to include crimes against people based on sexual orientation. In the past, McCain has worked on committees for the rights of Native Americans.

Marriage Laws:

McCain opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Yet he does not support same-sex marriage either; McCain has stated that he believes “the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman. It is only this definition that sufficiently recognizes the vital and unique role played by mothers and fathers in the raising of children, and the role of the family in shaping, stabilizing, and strengthening communities and our nation.” McCain’s stance on LGBT adoption is unknown.

Minimum Wage:

As recently as 2007, McCain has voted to eliminate the federal minimum wage in favor of state control. McCain voted to pass the legislation raising the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour and then voted against the legislation to raise the minimum wage from $6.25 to $7.25 per hour.

Environment:

McCain has a strong record of environmental support. In addition to a continuous commitment to conserving national parks (admiring Theodore Roosevelt’s work in this area), clean air, and clean water, McCain has consistently been a leader on global warming legislation, claiming that global warming is a problem the United States and its people cannot ignore. McCain also believes that the economy can and should be measured in part by its environmental impact, focusing on sustainable use of natural resources. He believes in a clean environment that is strongly considered in economic decisions, specifically in funding national parks and environmental protection.

Iraq War:

McCain supports the Iraq war. McCain believes that a greater military commitment is needed to reach long-term goals and to be successful in Iraq. McCain is worried that if the troops are pulled out prematurely, Al Qaeda will take over the country, resulting in genocide. He has also stated that as long as American casualties are low, there is no reason to pull the troops out until the goal he has set is accomplished, which is “to give Iraqis the capabilities to govern and secure their own country.” McCain plans to achieve this by training Iraqi police units and strengthening their army, which he hopes will create a peaceful country.