112
edits
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→Return to the Navy: + more info on his early political career
===Return to the Navy===
===Return to the Navy===
The Vietnam War and military service remained strong in McCain's memory. 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, {{cquote|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 military service remained strong in McCain's memory. 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, {{cquote|''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>
During a reassignment to the Senate as the Navy's liason, McCain began to join the ranks of politicians. He transformed the position from a rather unimportant post into one of authority and respect, gaining allies in the Senate. Particularly for someone who had disagreed with the government's military tactics in Vietnam, McCain began to consider politics as an alternative to help support the military and gain greater influence in the post-Vietnam era.
He had difficulties with his wife since he returned home, due in part from her damaging car accident. Reckless behavior and extramarital affairs tempted him as their marriage deteriorated, and as he immersed himself in his work, an opportunity arose. While in Hawaii with Pacific commanders on business, he met Cindy Lou Hensley, who was remarkably beautiful and happened to be the daughter of a prominent Anheuser-Busch beer franchise founder.<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. pg. 91</ref> The two met several times and six weeks after McCain divorced his wife Carol (April 2, 1980) he married Cindy (May 17, 1980) in Phoenix.
With nagging injuries and limited physical mobility, McCain realized he would never become a four-star general like his forefathers. Some biographers argued that he shifted into politics so that he could achieve the equivalent in politics, leading to his Senatorial career. Whatever the case, in 1982, John Jacob Rhodes had retired as Representative of Arizona. McCain decided to campaign, and won the election easily after an intense underdog campaign; people recall him personally knocking on doors to introduce his candidacy.<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. pg. 97</ref> When elected, he served no differently, working hard to support his highly-Republican district while Reagan was President. At the time, he largely supported Reagan's tax cuts and matters on Indian Affairs. He did, however, break with the President on the decision to attack Lebanon, saying, {{cquote|''I do not foresee obtainable objectives in Lebanon; I believe the longer we stay, the more difficult it will be to leave.''<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. pg. 100</ref>}}
When questioned during the 2000 presidential campaign about his experience in captivity, he replied, "I hate the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live." Later, when asked about whether he meant an ethnic slur, he replied, "I was referring to my prison guards, and I will continue to refer to them in language that might offend some people because of the beating and torture of my friends."<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/02/18/MN32194.DTL
When questioned during the 2000 presidential campaign about his experience in captivity, he replied, "I hate the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live." Later, when asked about whether he meant an ethnic slur, he replied, "I was referring to my prison guards, and I will continue to refer to them in language that might offend some people because of the beating and torture of my friends."<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/02/18/MN32194.DTL