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Line 13: − + + + − #National defense: McCain, a veteran, has been strong on national defense and a consistent supporter of the [[Iraq War]].+ − #[[Abortion]]: On Senate votes directly concerning abortion, McCain has voted on the pro-life side.+ − #Government Spending. McCain has vigorously advocated for the elimination of so-called "[[pork-barrel]]" spending. He voted against President Bush's Medicare Prescription Drug Act on the grounds that it was too costly.+ − #[[Evolution]]: McCain's position is that [[intelligent design]] should be taught along with the [[theory of evolution]].+ − #[[Campaign finance]]: In 2002, McCain joined with liberal Democrat Russell Feingold to prohibit independent groups from advertising about a candidate within many weeks of an election. This law prohibits ads that do not even recommend for whom to vote, but merely urge people to contact their representatives concerning a vote that the representatives will make in Congress. A court recently declared this unconstitutional.+ − #[[Same-sex marriage]]: In 2006, McCain joined Democrats and liberal Republicans in voting against the Federal Marriage Amendment to protect traditional marriage. Later, on ''Hardball'', McCain declared, "On the issue of the gay marriage, I believe that people want to have private ceremonies, that's fine."<br />Also, McCain's home state of Arizona was the only state to defeat a marriage referendum (in 2006), as McCain did nothing to support it.+ − #[[Gambling]]: The McCain-Feingold campaign finance law allows Indian nations (which get nearly all their money from unregulated casinos) to make unlimited political donations, even though political donations by American citizens are strictly limited and political spending by corporations is prohibited.+ − #Tax cuts: McCain opposed President George W. Bush's tax cuts, on the argument that cutting taxes without also cutting spending was not actually a tax cut, but was a tax on future generations. He now supports keeping the Bush tax cuts in place. + − #Criticism of the religious right: In his unsuccessful campaign in 2000, McCain criticized elements of the religious right.+ − #[[Gun control]]: In 2002, McCain supported [[gun control]] by joining with [[Democrat]] [[Joseph Lieberman]] to push legislation that would shut down gun shows.<ref>[http://www.haciendapub.com/gunpage10.html "Gun Shows and Gun Control: McCain Is at It Again!"]</ref>+ − #Immigration: In 2005-2006, McCain joined with liberal Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] to support a sweeping bill that was favorable to illegal aliens. It has not passed.+ − #"Gang of 14": On May 23, 2005, McCain was part of a group of 14 Senators who blocked the planned "nuclear option" for confirming blocked Republican nominees for the bench. Under this compromise a few judicial nominees were allowed to be confirmed (Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen and William Pryor), but others (e.g., Henry Saad) remained blocked and had to withdraw. + − #Senate Attendance Record. McCain has missed 33% of the Senate votes in early 2007, far more than the leading Democratic contenders.<ref>http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0331missedvotes0331.html</ref>+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
no edit summary
McCain was elected to the [[House of Representatives]] from Arizona's 1st district in 1982 and served two terms before being elected to the [[Senate]] in 1986. In 2000, he pursued the presidency but lost his bid for the Republican nomination to [[George W. Bush]], the first time he had lost an election.<ref>[http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/john_mccain/index.html John McCain] at the New York Times</ref> John McCain is currently running for presidency of the United States as a Republican.
McCain was elected to the [[House of Representatives]] from Arizona's 1st district in 1982 and served two terms before being elected to the [[Senate]] in 1986. In 2000, he pursued the presidency but lost his bid for the Republican nomination to [[George W. Bush]], the first time he had lost an election.<ref>[http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/john_mccain/index.html John McCain] at the New York Times</ref> John McCain is currently running for presidency of the United States as a Republican.
==Political Record==
==Political Views==
===[[Abortion]]===
"John McCain believes [[Roe v. Wade]] is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench. Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states. The difficult issue of abortion should not be decided by judicial fiat." (http://www.johnmccain.com/)
In the last Congress, John McCain received a 75% National Right to Life voting record, and a 0% [[NARAL Pro-Choice America]] rating, indicating a [[pro-life]] voting record. In 1999, McCain said of Roe v. Wade, "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." He has sinced changed his position, supporting overturning Roe v Wade. McCain also supports expanding [[embryonic stem cell research]].
*Important Votes
*Voted Yes on H.AMDT.942, the Siljander amendment, to H.R.5490, "An amendment to define "person" as including unborn children from the moment of conception". (June 26, 1984)
*Voted YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
*Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
*Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
*Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
*Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
*Voted YES on banning [[partial birth abortion]]s except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
*Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
*Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
*Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
*Voted YES on confirming [[Samuel Alito]] as [[Supreme Court]] Justice. (Jan 2006)
*Voted YES on confirming [[John Roberts]] for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
===Balanced Budget===
"As president, John McCain will work to ensure that money spent by Congress, and contributed by hardworking American taxpayers, is used wisely and prudently on legitimate national priorities, not squandered on wasteful pet projects and special interest earmarks." (http://www.johnmccain.com/)
Senator McCain has been a strong proponent of reducing government spending and earmarks. However, in January 2008, a comprehensive analysis by the [[National Taxpayers Union]] found that McCains presidential campaign proposals would increase the federal budget by $6.9 billion.
*Important Votes
*Voted YES on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
*Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
*Voted YES on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
*Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)
===Education===
McCain received a 45% rating by the [[National Education Association]] (NEA), indicating a mixed record on teacher unions. McCain has voted in support of school vouchers. He supports tax-free savings accounts for education expenses, charter schools, and home schooling. McCain has publicly stated that teaching [[evolution]] should be decided by school districts, not the federal government.
*Important Votes
*Voted NO on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
*Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
*Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
*Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
*Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
*Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
*Voted YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools. (May 1999)
*Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
*Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
*Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
*Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
*Voted YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
*Voted NO on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
===Environment===
"John McCain has a proud record of common sense stewardship. Along with his commitment to clean air and water, and to conserving open space, he has been a leader on the issue of global warming with the courage to call the nation to action on an issue we can no longer afford to ignore." (http://www.johnmccain.com/)
McCain's stances on [[global warming]] and other environmental issues have put him at odds with the Bush administration and other Republicans. McCain opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. McCain is a member and was endorsed by Republicans for Environmental Protection. He also supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases. If elected President, he says he would transform the United States Environmental Protection Agency into new Cabinet Departments. Although McCains lifetime rating from the liberal environmental protection agency [[League of Conservation Voters]] is a low 26% (29% in 2006, 45% in 2005, 67% in 2004) the group praised McCain, saying,
"Senator John McCain has outlined a basic strategy to address global warming and our energy challenges, which includes a mandatory cap-and-trade program to cut greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources and boosting nuclear power production. In fact, among the Republicans running for president, Sen. McCain holds the distinction of being the only candidate to make global warming a part of his campaign agenda and to regularly address it on the campaign trail. Sen. McCain has been a leader in the U.S. Senate on climate issues for several years." (http://www.lcv.org/voterguide/)
LCV endorsed McCain in his 2004 Senate reelection.
*Important Votes
*Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
*Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
*Voted YES on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
*Voted NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
*Voted NO on continuing desert protection in California. (Oct 1994)
*Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994)
===Gun Control===
"John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals - criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway."
McCain has a record of supporting moderate gun control. He received a c+ from the [[National Rifle Association]] (NRA) and a F- from Gun Owners of America. However, he voted against the Federal Assault Weapons Ban and the efforts to renew it, as well as the Brady Bill.
*Important Votes
*Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
*Voted YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
*Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
*Voted YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
*Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
*Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
===Health Care===
John McCain opposes socialized Health Care.
*According to his presidential campaign website, he supports the following:
*Bringing costs under control is the only way to stop the erosion of affordable health insurance, save Medicare and Medicaid, protect private health benefits for retirees, and allow our companies to effectively compete around the world.
*Promote competition throughout the health care system - between providers and among alternative treatments.
*Make public more information on treatment options and require transparency by providers regarding medical outcomes, quality of care, costs, and prices.
*Reform the payment systems in Medicare to compensate providers for diagnosis, prevention, and care coordination. Medicare should not pay for preventable medical errors or mismanagement.
*Protect the health care consumer through vigorous enforcement of federal protections against collusion, unfair business actions, and deceptive consumer practices.
In an October 2007 statement, McCain said: "In health care, we believe in enhancing the freedom of individuals to receive necessary and desired care. We do not believe in coercion and the use of state power to mandate care, coverage or costs."
*Important Votes
*Voted NO on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
*Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
*Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
*Voted NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
*Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
*Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
*Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
*Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
*Voted YES on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
*Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
*Voted NO on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
*Voted NO on blocking medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
===Homeland Security===
McCain has a 0% rating by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. However, McCain supports abolishing [[Guantanamo Bay]], saying that the United States should announce a no-torture policy.
*Important Votes
*Voted NO on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
*Voted NO on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
*Voted NO on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
*Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
*Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
*Voted NO on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
*Voted NO on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)
*Voted NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
*Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
*Voted YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
*Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
*Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
*Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
*Voted NO on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
*Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
*Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
*Voted NO on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)
===Immigration===
"I have always believed that our border must be secure and that the federal government has utterly failed in its responsibility to ensure that it is secure. If we have learned anything from the recent immigration debate, it is that Americans have little trust that their government will honor a pledge to do the things necessary to make the border secure.
As president, I will secure the border. I will restore the trust Americans should have in the basic competency of their government. A secure border is an essential element of our national security. Tight border security includes not just the entry and exit of people, but also the effective screening of cargo at our ports and other points of entry." (McCain)
John McCain's record on Illegal Immiration has drawn heavy criticism from [[conservative]]s. McCain championed a 2006 immigration bill with [[Ted Kennedy]] that would legalize and eventually grant citizenship to the estimated 12–20 million illegal aliens in the United States and to create an additional guest worker program. McCain has consistently voted to give visa's to illegal aliens. McCain voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which allows over 700 miles of double-reinforced fence to be built across cities and deserts alike between [[California]] and [[Texas]].
*Important Votes
*Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
*Voted YES on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
*Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
*Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
*Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
*Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
*Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
*Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
*Voted YES on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
===Iraq===
"A greater military commitment now is necessary if we are to achieve long-term success in Iraq. John McCain agrees with retired Army General Jack Keane that there are simply not enough American forces in Iraq. More troops are necessary to clear and hold insurgent strongholds; to provide security for rebuilding local institutions and economies; to halt sectarian violence in Baghdad and disarm Sunni and Shia militias; to dismantle al Qaeda; to train the Iraqi Army; and to embed American personnel in Iraqi police units. Accomplishing each of these goals will require more troops and is a crucial prerequisite for needed economic and political development in the country. America's ultimate strategy is to give Iraqis the capabilities to govern and secure their own country." (http://www.johnmccain.com/)
McCain is considerd to be a prominent hawk on foreign policy. He supported the 2003 invasion of [[Iraq]], however, went on to criticize the management of the war. urged the Bush administration to make "significant policy changes" in the Iraq War. He criticized The Pentagon several times, and called for the resignation of Secretary of Defense [[Donald Rumsfeld]]. McCain was a strong - and still is - a strong advocate of the 2007 Iraq troop surge, in which President Bush announced 20,000 additional troops to Iraq.
*Important Votes
*Voted NO on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months. (Dec 2007)
*Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
*Voted NO on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
*Voted YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding. (Apr 2005)
*Voted YES on $86 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
*Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
===Same Sex Marriage===
"The family represents the foundation of Western Civilization and civil society and John McCain 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."
Although McCain opposes same sex marriage, he supports civil unions and voted against the 2006 federal marriage amendment.
*Important Votes
*Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
*Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
===Social Security===
McCain supports personal savings accounts and and work incentives. He received a 40% rating from the ARA, indicating a mixed record on senior issues.
*Important Votes
*Voted YES on using the Social Security Surplus to fund tax reductions. (Jul 1999)
*Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
*Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
*Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
*Voted YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996)
===Tax Reform===
"Hard-working American families need lower taxes. John McCain will permanently repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) -- a tax that will be paid nearly exclusively by 25 million middle class families. John McCain will repeal this onerous tax, saving middle class families nearly $60 billion in a single year. Under McCain's plan, a middle class family with children set to pay the AMT will save an average of over $2,700 -- a real tax cut for working families."
McCain received a 72% rating from the National Tax Payers Union, indicating a "Satisfactory" record on tax votes. He voted against the Bush Tax Cuts in 2001 and 2003. However, now says they should be made permanent. McCain recently stated opposition to a permanent repeal of the Death Tax.
*Important Votes
*Voted YES on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
*Voted YES on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
*Voted YES on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
*Voted YES on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
*Voted NO on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
*Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
*Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
*Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
*Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
*Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
*Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
*Voted YES on phasing out the estate tax ("death tax"). (Jul 2000)
*Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
*Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
== Electability ==
== Electability ==