Changes

When news had spread that McCain's campaign bankrupted and "imploded" in the summer of 2007, the Republican nomination began a period of quick shifting; other candidates began to soar in the polls, detracting McCain's support. Rudy Giuliani, who collected a strong following based on his leadership as "America's Mayor", began to court evangelical Christians who felt uneasy about McCain, gaining the endorsement of televangelist Pat Robertson. However, as his less-than-flattering personal life and liberal positions on social issues became apparent, he quickly lost momentum to Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee.<ref>Cook, Charles. "The 2008 Presidential Primaries: What in America's Name Is Going On?" The Washington Quarterly Vol. 31 Issue 3 pp. 193-204.</ref> Fred Thompson, who entered late in the race, quickly withdrew because of lackadaisical popularity and poor fund-raising efforts. Huckabee remained popular in the Southern United States, but failed to win major contests among independents and Democrat voters.

When news had spread that McCain's campaign bankrupted and "imploded" in the summer of 2007, the Republican nomination began a period of quick shifting; other candidates began to soar in the polls, detracting McCain's support. Rudy Giuliani, who collected a strong following based on his leadership as "America's Mayor", began to court evangelical Christians who felt uneasy about McCain, gaining the endorsement of televangelist Pat Robertson. However, as his less-than-flattering personal life and liberal positions on social issues became apparent, he quickly lost momentum to Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee.<ref>Cook, Charles. "The 2008 Presidential Primaries: What in America's Name Is Going On?" The Washington Quarterly Vol. 31 Issue 3 pp. 193-204.</ref> Fred Thompson, who entered late in the race, quickly withdrew because of lackadaisical popularity and poor fund-raising efforts. Huckabee remained popular in the Southern United States, but failed to win major contests among independents and Democrat voters.

Liberals, Democrats, Progressives, and the [[mainstream media]] painted McCain as a [[racist]] and [[traitor]] based on his record as a POW.<ref>https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2008/oct/14/uselections2008-johnmccain </ref>

Liberals, Democrats, Progressives, and the [[mainstream media]] painted McCain as a [[racist]] and [[traitor]] based on his record as a POW.<ref>https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2008/oct/14/uselections2008-johnmccain</ref>

Romney had the edge in early races, but couldn't deliver a knockout blow.  McCain's poll numbers slowly increased and benefited as the field narrowed.  After McCain defeated top contender Mitt Romney by a large margin on Super Tuesday in delegate-rich states like New York, California, and Arizona,<ref>[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18772382 Mitt Romney Drops Out of GOP Presidential Race], [[NPR]], Scott Neuman and Howard Berkes. February 7, 2008.</ref> Mitt Romney withdrew with some protest, leaving McCain the clear front-runner.<ref>Bumiller, Elisabeth, Kirkpatrick, David. "Romney Is Out; McCain Emerges as G.O.P. Choice." Feb. 8, 2008. New York Times.</ref> Although McCain's proportion of the vote was not much higher than Romney's, he won most of the 'winner take all' states giving him a much higher proportion of the delegate count.  Without Romney's well-financed opposition, McCain easily clinched the necessary delegate lead of 1,191 in March after a spirited yet short-lived fight from Mike Huckabee.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18739137 Election 2008: Huckabee, Romney Stay in Race for GOP Nomination], [[NPR]], February 6, 2008.</ref>

Romney had the edge in early races, but couldn't deliver a knockout blow.  McCain's poll numbers slowly increased and benefited as the field narrowed.  After McCain defeated top contender Mitt Romney by a large margin on Super Tuesday in delegate-rich states like New York, California, and Arizona,<ref>[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18772382 Mitt Romney Drops Out of GOP Presidential Race], [[NPR]], Scott Neuman and Howard Berkes. February 7, 2008.</ref> Mitt Romney withdrew with some protest, leaving McCain the clear front-runner.<ref>Bumiller, Elisabeth, Kirkpatrick, David. "Romney Is Out; McCain Emerges as G.O.P. Choice." Feb. 8, 2008. New York Times.</ref> Although McCain's proportion of the vote was not much higher than Romney's, he won most of the 'winner take all' states giving him a much higher proportion of the delegate count.  Without Romney's well-financed opposition, McCain easily clinched the necessary delegate lead of 1,191 in March after a spirited yet short-lived fight from Mike Huckabee.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18739137 Election 2008: Huckabee, Romney Stay in Race for GOP Nomination], [[NPR]], February 6, 2008.</ref>

===Hobbits, Wacko Birds, and more===

===Hobbits, Wacko Birds, and more===

On July 27th, 2011, McCain derided<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/28/nation/la-na-mccain-tea-party-20110728 John McCain derides 'tea party hobbits' in debt ceiling fight], [[Los Angeles Times]]</ref> members of the Tea Party in a speech on the floor of the Senate,<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7GfPEtyQsE McCain Floor Speech - Tea Party Hobbits], He said: "The idea seems to be, that if the House GOP refuses to raise the debt ceiling, a default crisis or gradual government shutdown will ensue, and the public will turn en-masse against Barack Obama.  The Republican House that failed to raise the debt ceiling would somehow escape all the blame.  Then Democrats would have no choice but to pass a balanced budget amendment and reform entitlements, and the tea party hobbits would return to middle earth having defeated Mordor."</ref> where he stated his disagreement with "tea party hobbits".  The following night, he appeared on Hannity's show on Fox, and continued to act indignant about his position.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgnRtPHnOH4 John McCain Defends Trashing Tea Party]</ref>

On July 27, 2011, McCain derided<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/28/nation/la-na-mccain-tea-party-20110728 John McCain derides 'tea party hobbits' in debt ceiling fight], [[Los Angeles Times]]</ref> members of the Tea Party in a speech on the floor of the Senate,<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7GfPEtyQsE McCain Floor Speech - Tea Party Hobbits], He said: "The idea seems to be, that if the House GOP refuses to raise the debt ceiling, a default crisis or gradual government shutdown will ensue, and the public will turn en-masse against Barack Obama.  The Republican House that failed to raise the debt ceiling would somehow escape all the blame.  Then Democrats would have no choice but to pass a balanced budget amendment and reform entitlements, and the tea party hobbits would return to middle earth having defeated Mordor."</ref> where he stated his disagreement with "tea party hobbits".  The following night, he appeared on Hannity's show on Fox, and continued to act indignant about his position.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgnRtPHnOH4 John McCain Defends Trashing Tea Party]</ref>

A month later McCain was asked about his "Lord of the Rings" reference, and he still refused to apologize.<ref>[https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/176055--mccain-not-sorry-for-tea-party-hobbits-comment Sen. McCain won’t apologize for ‘Tea Party hobbits’ comment]</ref>

A month later McCain was asked about his "Lord of the Rings" reference, and he still refused to apologize.<ref>[https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/176055--mccain-not-sorry-for-tea-party-hobbits-comment Sen. McCain won’t apologize for ‘Tea Party hobbits’ comment]</ref>

===IRS Targeting===

===IRS Targeting===

On April 9th, 2015, [[Judicial Watch]] released documents pointing to pressure against Lois Lerner to target [[Tea Party]] groups, seemingly coming from senators [[Carl Levin]] and John McCain.<ref>[http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-irs-documents-reveal-lerner-knew-targeting-criteria-of-nonprofit-groups-might-raise-questions/ Judicial Watch: IRS Documents Reveal Lerner Knew Targeting Criteria of Nonprofit Groups ‘Might Raise Questions’]</ref><ref>[https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2015/04/11/key-mccain-aides-moved-to-silence-tea-party/ Key McCain Aides Moved To Silence Tea Party]</ref>  McCain was quick to respond on Twitter, stating that the reports were "false".<ref>[https://pjmedia.com/blog/john-mccain-lashes-out-at-judicial-watch-over-damning-irs-doc-release/ John McCain Lashes Out at Judicial Watch over Damning IRS Doc Release]</ref><ref>[http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2015/04/mccain-counters-reports-of-jws-recent-irs-doc-release/ McCain Counters Reports of JW’s Recent IRS Doc Release]</ref>

On April 9, 2015, [[Judicial Watch]] released documents pointing to pressure against Lois Lerner to target [[Tea Party]] groups, seemingly coming from senators [[Carl Levin]] and John McCain.<ref>[http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-irs-documents-reveal-lerner-knew-targeting-criteria-of-nonprofit-groups-might-raise-questions/ Judicial Watch: IRS Documents Reveal Lerner Knew Targeting Criteria of Nonprofit Groups ‘Might Raise Questions’]</ref><ref>[https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2015/04/11/key-mccain-aides-moved-to-silence-tea-party/ Key McCain Aides Moved To Silence Tea Party]</ref>  McCain was quick to respond on Twitter, stating that the reports were "false".<ref>[https://pjmedia.com/blog/john-mccain-lashes-out-at-judicial-watch-over-damning-irs-doc-release/ John McCain Lashes Out at Judicial Watch over Damning IRS Doc Release]</ref><ref>[http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2015/04/mccain-counters-reports-of-jws-recent-irs-doc-release/ McCain Counters Reports of JW’s Recent IRS Doc Release]</ref>

==Personal life==

==Personal life==