Changes

As a pilot for the [[United States Navy]] and former Prisoner-of-War ([[POW]]), he served in the military for 22 years.<ref name=bioguide /> McCain, a [[Baptist]],<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/09/16/mccain-identifies-himself-as-baptist.html McCain Identifies Himself as a Baptist], [[Fox News]]</ref> has emphasizes issues related to foreign policy and national security, which have propelled him in the forefront of national politics as both an outspoken voice for the United States military and as a Presidential contender for the Republican Party since 1993.<ref>Paul Alexander, ''John McCain: Man of the People''. (2003)</ref>

As a pilot for the [[United States Navy]] and former Prisoner-of-War ([[POW]]), he served in the military for 22 years.<ref name=bioguide /> McCain, a [[Baptist]],<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/09/16/mccain-identifies-himself-as-baptist.html McCain Identifies Himself as a Baptist], [[Fox News]]</ref> has emphasizes issues related to foreign policy and national security, which have propelled him in the forefront of national politics as both an outspoken voice for the United States military and as a Presidential contender for the Republican Party since 1993.<ref>Paul Alexander, ''John McCain: Man of the People''. (2003)</ref>

Despite his hawkish national security positions, McCain takes moderate positions overall, and he has flip-flopped various times, most notably when he voted against repealing ObamaCare in 2017 when he made numerous campaign statements several years prior stating he would do the exact opposite. McCain also is a [[globalist]] on issues related to foreign policy.<ref name="McCainWhines">Newman, Alex (March 28, 2017). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/25700-mccain-whines-about-threats-to-globalist-new-world-order McCain Whines About Threats to Globalist “New World Order”]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 6, 2018.</ref> He criticized [[Donald Trump]] for caring more about projecting strength than displaying a [[neoconservative]] promotion of democracy worldwide and letting in large number of refugees.<ref>Multiple references:

Despite his hawkish national security positions, McCain takes moderate positions overall, and he has flip-flopped various times, most notably when he voted against repealing ObamaCare in 2017 when he made numerous campaign statements several years prior stating he would do the exact opposite. McCain also is a [[globalist]] on issues related to foreign policy.<ref name="McCainWhines">Newman, Alex (March 28, 2017). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/25700-mccain-whines-about-threats-to-globalist-new-world-order McCain Whines About Threats to Globalist “New World Order”]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 6, 2018.</ref> He criticized [[Donald Trump]] for caring more about projecting strength than displaying a [[neoconservative]] promotion of democracy worldwide and letting in large numbers of refugees,<ref>Multiple references:

*Thomsen, Jacqueline (April 30, 2018). [http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/385540-mccain-torches-trump-in-new-book-he-places-the-appearance-of-toughness-over McCain torches Trump in new book: He prioritizes appearance of toughness over American values]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved April 30, 2018.

*Thomsen, Jacqueline (April 30, 2018). [http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/385540-mccain-torches-trump-in-new-book-he-places-the-appearance-of-toughness-over McCain torches Trump in new book: He prioritizes appearance of toughness over American values]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved April 30, 2018.

*Stewart, Phil (May 3, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-mccain/mccain-in-new-memoir-chides-trump-for-undermining-u-s-values-idUSKBN1I42L4 McCain, in new memoir, chides Trump for undermining U.S. values]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 3, 2018.</ref> He stated in 2018 that he regretted choosing conservative [[Sarah Palin]] as his running mate.<ref>Gstalter, Morgan (May 5, 2018). [http://thehill.com/homenews/news/386392-mccain-i-regret-picking-palin-as-my-vice-presidential-nominee McCain says he regrets picking Palin as running mate]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref><ref>Lee, Tony (May 6, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/06/mccain-regrets-sarah-palin-vp-pick/ McCain Regrets Sarah Palin VP Pick]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 6, 2018.</ref>

*Stewart, Phil (May 3, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-mccain/mccain-in-new-memoir-chides-trump-for-undermining-u-s-values-idUSKBN1I42L4 McCain, in new memoir, chides Trump for undermining U.S. values]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 3, 2018.</ref> as well as for his immigration positions.<ref name="Lee2018"/> He stated in 2018 that he regretted choosing conservative [[Sarah Palin]] as his running mate.<ref>Gstalter, Morgan (May 5, 2018). [http://thehill.com/homenews/news/386392-mccain-i-regret-picking-palin-as-my-vice-presidential-nominee McCain says he regrets picking Palin as running mate]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref><ref>Lee, Tony (May 6, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/06/mccain-regrets-sarah-palin-vp-pick/ McCain Regrets Sarah Palin VP Pick]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 6, 2018.</ref>

==Early life==

==Early life==

[[Image:McCain 1965.jpg|left|thumb|200px|McCain photographed in 1965]]

[[Image:McCain 1965.jpg|left|thumb|200px|McCain photographed in 1965]]

McCain served heroically in the [[United States Navy]] from 1958 to 1981. He spent two and a half years as a naval aviator in training at the Naval Air Station Pensacola in [[Florida]] and the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in [[Texas]]. By 1967, McCain was a veteran pilot aboard the [[USS Forrestal|USS ''Forrestal'']] [[aircraft carrier]] off the coast of Vietnam. On 29 July 1967, while preparing to take off on a bombing run over North Vietnam, a missile accidentally fired from another plane, hitting the fuel tanks on McCain's aircraft and triggering explosions and a fire. McCain escaped from his plane by crawling onto the nose of the aircraft and diving on to the ship's deck which was ablaze from burning fuel. His attempt to rescue a fellow pilot whose flight suit was on fire was prevented when McCain was blown over by further explosions. When the fire was contained 24 hours later, 134 men had been killed and hundreds more injured. It was called the worst non-combat-related accident in U.S. naval history.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=526451&in_page_id=1811 ''The coronation of the ultimate survivor, John McCain''] 5 March 2008 [[Daily Mail]]</ref>  

McCain served heroically in the [[United States Navy]] from 1958 to 1981. He spent two and a half years as a naval aviator in training at the Naval Air Station Pensacola in [[Florida]] and the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in [[Texas]]. By 1967, McCain was a veteran pilot aboard the [[USS Forrestal|USS ''Forrestal'']] [[aircraft carrier]] off the coast of Vietnam. On 29 July 1967, while preparing to take off on a bombing run over North Vietnam, a missile accidentally fired from another plane, hitting the fuel tanks on McCain's aircraft and triggering explosions and a fire. McCain escaped from his plane by crawling onto the nose of the aircraft and diving on to the ship's deck which was ablaze from burning fuel. His attempt to rescue a fellow pilot whose flight suit was on fire was prevented when McCain was blown over by further explosions. When the fire was contained 24 hours later, 134 men had been killed and hundreds more injured. It was called the worst non-combat-related accident in U.S. naval history.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=526451&in_page_id=1811 ''The coronation of the ultimate survivor, John McCain''] 5 March 2008 [[Daily Mail]]</ref>  

===Prisoner-Of-War (1967–1973)===

===Prisoner-Of-War (1967–1973)===

===Return to the Navy (1973–1981)===

===Return to the Navy (1973–1981)===

The Vietnam War and his military service remained strong in McCain's. He immediately wanted to rejoin the Navy, and spent years preparing with excruciating physical therapy and a year of study in the Naval War College, where he attacked the liberal anti-war movement for weakening the morale of his fellow POWs.<ref>Kirkpatrick, David D. "[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/14/america/15pows.php In '74 thesis, the seeds of McCain's war views.]" The New York Times (June 15, 2008) p. A1.</ref> With his extensive experience in the Navy's Aviation division, he was selected to reform the flying fleet as Commanding Officer. John McCain quickly transformed his crew's personnel, which had been underfunded in the post-Vietnam era. Carl Smith, who served under McCain, stated, "He immediately began making changes. He fired people, and he replaced people at the top who he thought were not being as effective as he wanted them to be. He wanted real leadership. He wanted the squadron to come to life."<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. pg. 57</ref> Many in his staff were disappointed to have him leave, and praised his work in promoting efficiency.<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People.</ref>

The Vietnam War and his military service remained strong in McCain's. He immediately wanted to rejoin the Navy, and spent years preparing with excruciating physical therapy and a year of study in the Naval War College, where he attacked the liberal anti-war movement for weakening the morale of his fellow POWs.<ref>Kirkpatrick, David D. "[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/14/america/15pows.php In '74 thesis, the seeds of McCain's war views.]" The New York Times (June 15, 2008) p. A1.</ref> With his extensive experience in the Navy's Aviation division, he was selected to reform the flying fleet as Commanding Officer. John McCain quickly transformed his crew's personnel, which had been underfunded in the post-Vietnam era. Carl Smith, who served under McCain, stated, "He immediately began making changes. He fired people, and he replaced people at the top who he thought were not being as effective as he wanted them to be. He wanted real leadership. He wanted the squadron to come to life."<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. pg. 57</ref> Many in his staff were disappointed to have him leave, and praised his work in promoting efficiency.<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People.</ref>

Senator McCain's position on illegal immigration has arguably resulted in the most criticisms from conservatives. On May 12, 2005, McCain joined Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] (D-[[Massachusetts]]) as co-sponsor of the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. The bill would legalize and eventually grant citizenship to the estimated 12–20 million [[illegal alien]]s in the United States and have them immediately start collecting social security and other government benefits. The bill never came for a vote on the Senate floor. The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 are two additional compromises based on the original McCain-Kennedy bill. McCain has consistently voted for visas for skilled workers. McCain voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and has said border security should be a bigger priority then the illegal aliens who are currently here.

Senator McCain's position on illegal immigration has arguably resulted in the most criticisms from conservatives. On May 12, 2005, McCain joined Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] (D-[[Massachusetts]]) as co-sponsor of the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. The bill would legalize and eventually grant citizenship to the estimated 12–20 million [[illegal alien]]s in the United States and have them immediately start collecting social security and other government benefits. The bill never came for a vote on the Senate floor. The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 are two additional compromises based on the original McCain-Kennedy bill. McCain has consistently voted for visas for skilled workers. McCain voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and has said border security should be a bigger priority then the illegal aliens who are currently here.

In 2018, McCain criticized pro-Trump Republicans' views on immigration, claiming they are on the "wrong side of ... progress" and siding with the [[establishment]].<ref>Lee, Tony (May 9, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/09/john-mccain-pro-trump-republicans-wrong-side-immigration-debate/ John McCain: Pro-Trump Republicans on ‘Wrong Side’ of Immigration Debate]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 9, 2018.</ref>

In 2018, McCain criticized pro-Trump Republicans' views on immigration, claiming they are on the "wrong side of ... progress" and siding with the [[establishment]].<ref name="Lee2018">Lee, Tony (May 9, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/09/john-mccain-pro-trump-republicans-wrong-side-immigration-debate/ John McCain: Pro-Trump Republicans on ‘Wrong Side’ of Immigration Debate]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 9, 2018.</ref>

===Global Trade===

===Global Trade===