John McCain on Principles & Values
• I fight for Americans; I fight for you. (Sep 2008)
• Warning to Washington crowd: Change is coming. (Sep 2008)
• Fight to restore the pride and principles of our party. (Sep 2008)
• I hate war; it's terrible beyond imagination. (Sep 2008)
• America is an idea and a cause worth fighting for. (Sep 2008)
• I'm running for president because my country saved me. (Sep 2008)
• Serve a cause greater than yourself. (Sep 2008)
• I'm a proud citizen of the greatest country on Earth. (Sep 2008)
• Fight for what's right for our country. (Sep 2008)
• Palin has governed our largest state & 20% of US's energy. (Sep 2008)
• Obama lacks judgment, not experience; Palin has judgment. (Sep 2008)
• Reform, prosperity, and peace. (Aug 2008)
• My most basic conservative principle: liberty comes from God. (Feb 2008)
• Disagrees with his mom; he can unite the party. (Feb 2008)
• Anticipates spirited debate on differences with Democrats. (Feb 2008)
• Proud of Justice O'Connor; favor Roberts and Alito. (Jan 2008)
• Reagan knows that I stick with my principles. (Jan 2008)
• GovWatch: No, Constitution says we're not a Christian nation. (Jan 2008)
• Able to work with others with own set of principles. (Dec 2007)
• Op-Ed: Unexamined as both straight-talker and as maverick. (Oct 2007)
• Absent from Values Voter Presidential Debate. (Sep 2007)
• Most important part of decision-making is self-awareness. (Aug 2007)
• If I lose capacity for anger, I lose capacity to serve. (Apr 2007)
• Needs independents to win '08 primary; but GOP dislikes them. (Oct 2005)
• Courage is the capacity for action despite our fears. (Apr 2004)
• Humility from surviving veterans is remarkable. (Apr 2004)
• Just government is derived from the consent of the governed. (Apr 2004)
• We need moral courage to be honest all the time. (Apr 2004)
• Do the thing you think you cannot do. (Apr 2004)
• The allure of pride affects adults like it affects children. (Apr 2004)
• We are indebted to those who shed blood for us. (Apr 2004)
• It's love that makes courage necessary. (Apr 2004)
• Political style is to be straightforward. (Sep 2002)
• Principles are more important than personal happiness. (Sep 2002)
• Temper is same as other senators--he's just more famous. (May 2002)
• Keep tight reign on emotions--not to high nor too depressed. (May 2002)
• Faith bridges unbridgeable gaps in humanity. (Feb 2000)
• Calls himself conservative who attracts political center. (Feb 2000)
• Foreign policy should not be shaped by photo-ops & polls. (Jan 2000)
• Restore, renew, reform, & reinvigorate government. (Sep 1999)
• “New Patriotic Challenge”: stand against cynicism. (Sep 1999)
• Public officials have failed to set example for society. (Aug 1999)
Campaign Themes
• I'm a mainstream conservative; judge my record as a whole. (Feb 2008)
• This 2008 election is about hugely consequential things. (Feb 2008)
• The vision, knowledge, and background to be president. (Jan 2008)
• People want the truth, even if they disagree. (Jan 2008)
• I didn't manage for profit, I led for patriotism. (Oct 2007)
• Philosophy of worthy sacrifice from For Whom the Bell Tolls. (Oct 2007)
• Hard Calls: consider stakes; time; preparedness; confidence. (Aug 2007)
• Reform gov't, fight Islamic extremism; & restore integrity. (Apr 2007)
• I am here to serve, but not necessarily as president. (Apr 2007)
• Looks to Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, & Eisenhower as models. (Apr 2007)
• Loyalty is important, but performance should come first. (Apr 2007)
• Man of the People: happy to be a Republican and a Reaganite. (Jan 2004)
• Straight Talk focuses on appeal via authenticity. (May 2002)
Past Campaigns
• GovWatch: 2002: Religious Right are "agents of intolerance". (Feb 2008)
• FactCheck: Won NH & SC via independents, but lost GOP vote. (Jan 2008)
• 1983: Claiming Hanoi residency ended carpetbagger accusation. (Oct 2007)
• Keating Five scandal converted him to champion of reform. (Oct 2007)
• Keating Five: investigated during 90s Savings & Loan scandal. (Oct 2007)
• GOP lost 2006 due to corrupt spending, spending, spending. (Jun 2007)
• Straight Talk America PAC endorses 60 House candidates. (Dec 2006)
• McCain's PAC endorses 19 Senate & 17 governor candidates. (Dec 2006)
• Denounces "Swift Boat Vets" ads as dishonest. (Aug 2004)
• 2000 race: More grass-roots populism than Republicanism. (Jan 2004)
• 2000 race: Maverick positions became threat to GOP. (Jan 2004)
• Residual bitterness at Bush from 2000 campaign. (May 2002)
• Time for closure on a bizarre situation. (Nov 2000)
• Suspends campaign, citing Republican preference for Bush. (Mar 2000)
• Will take reform crusade back to the Senate. (Mar 2000)
• Leaves race, urging service to country. (Mar 2000)
• Reagan Republican: simplify taxes, stop waste, pay down debt. (Mar 2000)
• Support conservative issues, not far-right leaders. (Mar 2000)
• The GOP should be inclusive. (Feb 2000)
• Campaigning to return government to the people. (Sep 1999)
Personal History
• Inspired by Reagan while in the North Vietnam prison camps. (Jan 2008)
• Spent 10 years "doing everything I can to control my temper". (Oct 2007)
• As teenager, inherited obligation to attend Annapolis. (Sep 2007)
• Admiral Slew McCain set John's standard for grit & courage. (Sep 2007)
• Born at a Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone. (Sep 2007)
• Relationship with father was one of respect, more than love. (Sep 2007)
• Not youngest candidate, but certainly the most prepared. (May 2007)
• Admiral McCain's health failed after retiring from the Navy. (Sep 2002)
• Spent nearly 23 years on active duty in the Navy. (Sep 2002)
• Survived as POW by faith to a higher cause. (Nov 1999)
• Refused release to hurt Vietnamese & remain loyal to POWs. (Nov 1999)
• Graduated 5th from bottom of Naval Academy class. (Nov 1999)
• "Profligate rake" during Academy and Junior Officer years. (Nov 1999)
Voting Record
• Voted with Republican Party 87.3% of 165 votes. (Sep 2007)
• Vote based on character, not issues. (Jan 2000)
• 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)
• Religious affiliation: Episcopalian. (Nov 2000)
• Member of the Republican Main Street Partnership . (Jan 2001)
• Rated 33% by the AU, a mixed record on church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
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