John McCain Last Update: 10/17/07 Biography

republican Party John McCain 2008 Candidate for President of the United States of America Campaign Website | Candidate Forum

			Issues

(Select An Issue to Jump Directly) Abortion Affirmative Action Darfur Death Penalty Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Energy Plan Free Trade Global Warming Guantanamo Bay Detainment Camp Gun Control Health Care Immigration Iran Iraq Plan Kyoto Protocol Line Item Veto Medical Marijuana Military Contractors Military Funding Minimum Wage Increase National Deficit Net Neutrality No Child Left Behind Act Nuclear Power Outsourcing Same-Sex Marriage School Vouchers Social Security Stem Cell Research Tax Reform The Military Commissions Act of 2006 The Patriot Act Top Contributors & Amounts Welfare

	John McCain on Abortion
	Stance: Pro-Life Description: "I'd love to see a point where it is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations." - John McCain Citations: 1. McCain Softens Abortion Stand (7/5/07) McCain clears up comments he made to CNN.

	John McCain on Affirmative Action
	Stance: Generally supports Description: McCain feels affirmative action is good for specific programs, but not to fill quotas. Citations:

	John McCain on Darfur
	Stance: Implement a U.S. peacekeeping force, impose sanctions, establish a no-fly zone, provide logistical support, use intelligence to record any crimes for future prosecutions, and encourage other nations to abandon Sudan support Description: "First, the United States should reject out of hand Khartoum's demand that the African Union force leave and should insist that it stay, with broad international support, until the introduction of a robust U.N. force in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1706. Second, the United States should call on the European Union to impose financial sanctions against the Sudanese leadership and to pursue the immediate imposition of similar sanctions by the U.N. Security Council. Third, NATO should immediately establish and enforce a no-fly zone over Darfur to ensure that Khartoum ends its offensive military flights and bombing raids, as the Security Council has already demanded. Fourth, the United States should intensify efforts to persuade U.N. members to commit troops and funds for the U.N. force in Darfur, and it should develop plans for U.S. logistical support. The administration should push the United Nations to draw up firm plans for the entrance of a robust force into Darfur and contingency plans for the force to enter without Sudanese consent. Fifth, U.S. and allied intelligence assets, including satellite technology, should be dedicated to record any atrocities that occur in Darfur so that future prosecutions can take place. We should publicly remind Khartoum that the International Criminal Court has jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes in Darfur and that Sudanese leaders will be held personally accountable for attacks on civilians. Finally, the United States should increase pressure on countries friendly to Khartoum -- and particularly our allies in the Arab League -- to abandon their support for Sudan's refusal to accept the U.N. force." -John McCain Citations: 1. Rescue Darfur Now (8/13/07) An article written by McCain and Bob Dole about what needs to be done in Darfur. 2. John McCain: Darfur Scorecard (8/13/07) How McCain has voted in reference to Darfur.

	John McCain on Death Penalty
	Stance: Supports death penalty Description: McCain supports the death penalty for federal crimes. As senator from Arizona, he voted to prohibit the use of racial statistics in death penalty appeals and ban the death penalty for minors. He also supported legislation to allow the death penalty for acts of terrorism and has said he would consider further expansion of capital punishment laws for other crimes. Citations: 1. The Candidates on the Death Penalty (7/23/07) his stance on the death penalty among other candidates

	John McCain on Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
	Stance: Opposes Drilling Description: Senator John McCain has repeatedly voted against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Citations: 1. U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes S.Amdt. 2358 to S. 1932 (7/23/07) Senator John McCain votes to strike the title relating to the establishment of an oil and gas leasing program in the Coastal Plain. 2. U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes S.Amdt. 168 to S.Con.Res. 18 (7/23/07) Senator John McCain votes to strike section 201(a)(4) relative to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 3. U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes S.Amdt. 272 to S.Con.Res. 23 (7/23/07) Senator John McCain votes to prevent consideration of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in a fast-track budget reconciliation bill.

	John McCain on Energy Plan
	Stance: Achieve energy independence by using new forms of energy Description: McCain supports alternate forms of energy including alcohol fuels, fuel cells, biodiesel derived from waste products, natural gas, and other technologies. He does not support subsidizing every alternative or tariffs that restrict the competition that stimulates innovation and lower costs. He also wants to promote ventures between electric companies and auto makers to increase fuel cell efficiencies. McCain also supports using our coal resources and drilling within our country as long as it is done in regards to the environment. McCain is also a strong supporter of nuclear power. Finally, McCain wants to make it a national mission to develop a catalyst capable of breaking down carbon dioxide into useful chemical building blocks, and rendering it a new source of revenue and opportunity. Citations: 1. McCain Speech on Energy Policy (8/7/07) Transcript from McCain's remarks yesterday to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center in Washington D.C.

	John McCain on Free Trade
	Stance: Supports Description: McCain, a free trade advocate, sees trade as especially important as a means to open "closed societies" in the Middle East. "It's past time for nations of the Middle East to join the global economy, and for rulers to lead increasingly restive populations in the direction of democracy and free markets," he said in 2003. McCain supported Bush's plan to build a free trade area in the Middle East by 2013. McCain has been a consistent supporter of free trade legislation, achieving a top rating by the pro-trade Cato Institute. He voted in favor of free trade acts with Oman, Australia, Chile, and Singapore. He also voted to approve both NAFTA and CAFTA. Citations: 1. McCain and Baucus Introduce Middle East Trade Initiative (7/27/07) McCain's advocacy for free trade in the middle east. 2. Republican Candidates on Trade (7/26/07) Talks about McCain and his Free Trade advocacy.

	John McCain on Global Warming
	Stance: Believes global warming is a problem and wants to use nuclear power to reduce greenhouse gases. Description: McCain wants to cut carbon consumption by exploring alternate energy methods like nuclear power, which he says is working well right now in France, sugar cane ethanol, and biofuels. Citations: 1. McCain Answers Question on Climate Change in Gilford, NH (8/7/07) McCain talks about how important is to take steps to curb greenhouse emissions. 2. New Hampshire Republican debate climate clipshow (8/7/07) A global warming question answered by McCain and other candidates in a debate in NH.

	John McCain on Guantanamo Bay Detainment Camp
	Stance: Close Guantanamo Description: Close Guantanamo Citations: 1. Guantanamo Bay puzzles candidates (8/19/07) John McCain says close Guantanamo Bay detainment camp. 2. Guantanamo key factor in '08 race (8/13/07) Says McCain opposes Guantanamo

	John McCain on Gun Control
	Stance: No Gun Control Description: "I strongly support the Second Amendment and I believe the Second Amendment ought to be preserved — which means no gun control," McCain said. Citations: 1. McCain says he backs 'no gun control' (7/5/07) McCain says no to gun control during a speech to veterans.

	John McCain on Health Care
	Stance: Against Government Sponsored Universal Healthcare Description: Senator John McCain believes there are other things that can be done to improve health care in the United States besides the government offering health care to its citizens. At the republican debate on May 3, 2007 in Simi Valley California, Senator McCain proposed a $3,000 tax credit for people who purchase their own health insurance. While campaigning in Iowa on Oct 11, 2007 Senator McCain proposed a $2,500 tax credit to individuals and a $5,000 tax credit to families. Citations: 1. Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07) "I'd give the president of the United States the line- item veto on these bills as well as spending bills. The alternative minimum tax is obviously eating Americans alive, and it's got to be repealed. Another one -- another one I think is important is a $3,000 tax credit for people to be able to purchase health insurance. So low- income Americans will have access to health care, which is an amazing and difficult problem today. And a simpler, flatter, fair tax so that Americans don't have to spend $140 billion, as they just did last April, to prepare their tax returns." 2. Votes Database (7/5/07) John McCain did not vote on 4/26/2007 on a health insurance legislation for troops, veterans, victims of hurricane Katrina and Rita, and children's state health insurance. 3. Straight Talk On Health Care (7/26/07) John McCain believes there are other things the government should do before offering universal health care. 4. Online News Hour: Perscription Drugs (7/26/07) "There are people today, as we speak, who are making a choice between their health and their income. Madame President, that's wrong. It's wrong." 5. Republican Candidate McCain Wants More Health Choices (10/15/07) John McCain outlines his plan for health care tax credits.

	John McCain on Immigration
	Stance: Secure borders but do not offer amnesty Description: At the republican debate in South Carolina, Senator John McCain said "I have never supported amnesty and never would." He explains his co-Sponsorship of a which offers an amnesty to illegal immigrants as a bipartisan compromise to benefit U.S. citizen. He has argued that a temporary worker program is needed and that measures must be taken to put the undocumented workers already in the US on a path to citizenship. The borders must also be secured to ensure national security. Citations: 1. Presidential Candidates on Immigration (9/10/07) a collection of quotes about him 2. Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/4/07) "Well, of course. I have never supported amnesty and never would. But the point is that what the American people expect us to do is to sit down and work this issue out together. That's what I've been doing for a couple of years now. We are very close to an agreement, led by our president and his Cabinet members -- Chertoff and Gutierrez. We are very close to an agreement that will first secure our borders. Then we would have a temporary worker program that could only be valid through a tamper-proof biometric document. And then we would address the issue of the 12 million people who are already here. My friend, the people that came -- that almost attacked us at Fort Dix -- thank God they did not -- those people didn't come here across our borders, they came with visas that were expired. So we've got to enforce our border. That's our first and foremost priority. But we also have to have a comprehensive solution and it has to be bipartisan. And I believe we're close to reaching that, and that's what the American people expect us to do." 3. 2008 election: Key Issues (7/5/07) A comparitive look at several candidates views on several issues.

	John McCain on Iran
	Stance: Believes Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism Description: At the republican debates on May 3, 2007 in Simi Valley, California, John McCain said " Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism. We all know that. Iran continues their efforts to build nuclear weapons. Iran is now exporting lethal IEDs and jihadists and suicide bombers into Iraq, killing American soldiers." He also supports stopping Iran from building a nuclear weapon. Citations: 1. Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07) "Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism. We all know that. Iran continues their efforts to build nuclear weapons. Iran is now exporting lethal IEDs and jihadists and suicide bombers into Iraq, killing American soldiers." 2. Face the Nation Transcript (8/13/07) Military force is the last option

	John McCain on Iraq Plan
	Stance: Forces should stay until Iraq can defend itself Description: Voted for the 2003 invasion and has said US forces should remain until Iraq is able to defend itself. He has been a prominent supporter of Mr Bush's troop escalation, although he has criticised other aspects of the war's handling. He has warned withdrawal plans could trigger genocide in the region. The senator does not think talking to Iran and Syria will serve US interests. Citations: 1. Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/4/07) "We have to continue because it's not just the Iraqi vital national security interests that are at stake here, it's America's vital national security interests. If we fail in Iraq, we will see Iraq become a center for al Qaeda, chaos, genocide in the region, and they'll follow us home. After we lost the war in Vietnam, we came home, they didn't follow us home. You read Zarqawi, you read bin Laden, you read al Qaeda, they'll tell you they want to follow us home. I believe we have a new strategy and a good strategy. Only four of the five brigades that are -- that we need to implement the strategy are there. It's long, it's hard, it's tough, it's difficult. Americans are frustrated because of the mishandling of this war. But our national interests -- the United States' national interests are at stake. I believe the Maliki government has got to improve. They've got to pass certain laws that we all know about. But we must succeed, and we cannot fail, and I will be the last man standing if necessary." 2. 2008 Election: Key Issues (7/5/07) A comparative look on several candidates over several issues 3. John McCain - Consequences of Surrender (10/25/07) McCain says withdrawal means chaos in Iraq.

	John McCain on Kyoto Protocol
	Stance: Opposes Kyoto Protocol Description: John McCain has stated that he does not support the Kyoto Protocol. Citations:

	John McCain on Line Item Veto
	Stance: Supports Description: "You can't be an economic conservative and in favor of fiscal discipline if you oppose the line-item veto." - John McCain Citations: 1. McCain NH Town Hall Q&A Line Item Veto (10/16/07) In New Hampshire town meeting, Senator John McCain voices support for a presidential line item veto. 2. McCain Defends Line-Item Veto (10/15/07) "I am deeply disappointed that Mayor Giuliani went to court to stop the president having a line-item veto so apparently he could preserve some of the projects for New York City," McCain said. "You can't be an economic conservative and in favor of fiscal discipline if you oppose the line-item veto."

	John McCain on Medical Marijuana
	Stance: Let the states decide. Description: Sen. McCain has stated publicly that he would protect states' rights in regard to medical marijuana, but he has yet to publicly confirm that he would end the DEA raids medical marijuana patients if elected. Citations: 1. John McCain on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) John McCain's position on mm. 2. Most Candidates Back Medical Marijuana Patient Protection (7/23/07) what most candidates feel about mm

	John McCain on Military Contractors
	Stance: Hold contractors accountable under U.S. laws Description: Senator John McCain thinks that military contractors should be held accountable under U.S. law and the rules of engagement. Citations: 1. McCain plans more visits to Iowa (10/17/07) At a taping of Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press" program, McCain again criticized the Bush administration's management of the Iraq war by suggesting that private military contractors like Blackwater USA, should be subject to U.S. criminal laws for illegal behavior in foreign countries. "I think they should be held responsible under our laws for their behavior as well as the rules of engagement," he said.

	John McCain on Military Funding
	Stance: Proper funding and modernizitation of forces Description: John McCain has been an advocate of our military and ensuring that our forces are properly postured, and funded. He wants to modernize our forces, to ensure that America maintains and expands its technological edge. Citations: 1. On the Issues (7/5/07) A description of McCain's stance on several issues.

	John McCain on Minimum Wage Increase
	Stance: Opposes Description: John McCain voted against a Federal minimum wage increase in the U.S. Senate. Citations: 1. To provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage. (9/27/07) McCain votes 'nay'

	John McCain on National Deficit
	Stance: Enforce Fiscal Discipline, End Pork Barrel Spending, Increase Accountability and Transparency, Lower Taxes Description: John McCain wants to end pork barrel spending where "Congress diverts taxpayers dollars to special interest pet projects with little or no national value." He also wants to increase transparency which he claims would increase accountability by making all members of Congress who request earnmarks be identified and their request fully describe. McCain also feels we need to reform Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare because they are currently unchecked. Finally, McCain wants to lower taxes to stimulate growth. Citations: 1. Government Spending, Lower Taxes and Economic Prosperity (10/7/07) John McCain outlines his plan to cut government spending.

	John McCain on Net Neutrality
	Stance: Opposes Description: "I strongly support innovation, and I believe that the network operators should get a return on their infrastructure investments, which will encourage more development of broadband capacity in the U.S." - McCain Citations: 1. McCain Statement on Net Neutraility and Interconnection (8/13/07) Says he opposes net neutrality.

	John McCain on No Child Left Behind Act
	Stance: Revise several aspects but do not repeal Description: McCain believes the law should be fixed, especially in the areas of testing students with disabilities and non-English speaking students, but that the law should not be repealed. Citations: 1. Republican Presidential Debate Fails to Focus (7/26/07) What Jon McCain said to the NEA about NCLB.

	John McCain on Nuclear Power
	Stance: Supports nuclear power Description: Senator John McCain supports using nuclear power as an alternative energy source. Citations: 1. Republican Presidential Debate, June 5, 2007 (8/5/07) "Sure. I think we all do. And they ought to be reinvesting it. And one of the areas that they ought to be involved in is nuclear power. Nuclear power is safe. Nuclear power is green, does not emit greenhouse gases. Nuclear power is used on Navy ships which have sailed around the world for 60 years without an accident. And of course we ought to be investing in alternate energy sources. Recently there was a group of retired military officers who said that climate change and energy independence is a national security issue. It is. We've got to reduce our dependence on imported oil. We can do it through a wide variety of alternative fuels. But we have to be serious about it and we're going to have to go to places where we have never gone before. And nuclear power is one of the major issues, but also all kinds of ethanol as well."

	John McCain on Outsourcing
	Stance: Outsourcing improves the US economy Description: McCain voted against Dodd's amendment to require federal contracts be done by U.S. workers because of national security reasons. Citations: 1. McCain Believes Outsourcing Keeps Troops Safe and Then Some (8/14/07) McCain voted against the amendment to quell outsourcing.

	John McCain on Same-Sex Marriage
	Stance: Opposes same-sex marriage but believes it should be decided by each state. Description: John McCain feels that the issue of same-sex marriage should be decided by each state. He personally does not believe gay marriage should be legal. He has stated on Larry King Live that "I hope [the people of Arizona], would decide that a union between man and woman has a unique status." Citations: 1. Gay Marriage (7/2/07) John McCain supports changing the constitution of Arizona to ban same-sex marriages. 2.