John McCain on Abortion

• I’ve never imposed a litmus test on Supreme Court nominees. (Oct 2008)
• Obama voted no on partial-birth ban & born-alive treatment. (Oct 2008)
• Pro-life and an advocate for the Rights of Man everywhere. (Feb 2008)
• GovWatch: 1999: Don’t force women to have illegal operations. (Feb 2008)
• Abortion issue shows what kind of country we are. (Aug 2007)
• Concerned if women undergo illegal dangerous operations. (May 2007)
• Supports federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. (May 2007)
• Prosecute abortion doctors, not women who get them. (Jan 2000)
• “Family Conference” if daughter wanted an abortion. (Jan 2000)
• Abortion OK if raped; and no testing for rape. (Jan 2000)
• Supports fetal tissue research; against over-intensity. (Jan 2000)
• Overturn Roe v. Wade, but keep incest & rape exceptions. (Jan 2000)
• Support adoption & foster care; work together on abortion. (Oct 1999)
• Wants Roe vs. Wade made irrelevant, but would not repeal it. (Aug 1999)
• Opposes partial-birth abortions & public financing. (Aug 1999)
• Nominate justices based on experience, and values. (Jun 1999)
• Restrict abortions; no partial-birth; no public funding. (Jul 1998)

  Voting Record

• Supports repealing Roe v. Wade. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
• 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 abortions 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)
• Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)
• Rated 75% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion. (Dec 2006)
• Prohibit transporting minors across state lines for abortion. (Jan 2008)

John McCain on Budget & Economy

• We’ve laid a $10 trillion debt on our young people. (Oct 2008)
• Energy independence & tax cuts for all. (Oct 2008)
• Stabilize mortgage industry so people stay in their homes. (Oct 2008)
• Cut down on earmarks & establish priorities. (Oct 2008)
• I have fought against excessive spending my entire career. (Sep 2008)
• Can’t pass trillions of dollars of debt to our children. (Jul 2008)
• GovWatch: Specified cuts are $10B, not $100B. (May 2008)
• Things are tough now, but we’re better off than in 2000. (Jan 2008)
• May have to go further to fix the subprime lending situation. (Jan 2008)
• Recession is partly psychological and not inevitable. (Jan 2008)
• I’m well-versed in economics; I was at the Reagan Revolution. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Said--then denied--he needed economics education. (Jan 2008)
• Will be able to reduce war costs & have a stable Middle East. (Jan 2008)
• Reform insurance to cover violent weather patterns. (Jan 2008)
• To avoid recession, stop out-of-control spending. (Jan 2008)
• Loss of economic strength leads to losing military strength. (Dec 2007)
• Republicans have forgotten how to control spending. (Nov 2007)
• AdWatch: Outrageous to spend $233M for bridge to nowhere. (Nov 2007)
• FactCheck:Bridge-to-Nowhere never built; would serve 200,000. (Nov 2007)
• FactCheck: Criticized “Woodstock museum,” but skipped vote. (Nov 2007)
• Congress spends money like a drunken sailor. (May 2007)
• Consistent conservative voting on free-market principles. (Sep 2000)
• FactCheck: Obama’s new programs cost $286B; McCain’s $211B. (Oct 2008)
• Use veto power to reduce government spending. (Jan 2000)
• Distribute surplus: 23% tax cuts; 62% Social Security. (Jan 2000)
• $9B of pork in current budget bills; cut subsidies. (Oct 1999)
• For Balanced Budget Amend., & off-budget Social Security. (Jul 1999)
• List of budgetary spending priorities. (Jul 1998)
• Supports Balanced Budget Amendment. (Jul 1998)
• Apply surplus to Social Security, Medicare, tax cuts & debt. (Jul 1998)

  Financial Bailout

• Americans are innocent victims of Wall Street greed. (Oct 2008)
• $300B to buy up home mortgages; put a floor under it. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: $300B mortgage plan shifts burden to taxpayers. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Yes, “fundamentals are strong” but “threatened”. (Oct 2008)
• Buy up bad mortgages so people can stay in homes. (Oct 2008)
• I suspended my campaign to help resolve financial crisis. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Rescue package already has mortgage renegotiation. (Oct 2008)
• Have no doubt about the magnitude of financial crisis. (Sep 2008)
• Recoup financial bailout cost by cutting spending. (Sep 2008)
• Freeze on everything but Defense, Veterans & entitlements. (Sep 2008)
• These are tough times; we need changes; so keep taxes low. (Aug 2008)
• Bailing out Bear Stearns necessary to protect economy. (Apr 2008)
• Key is to not to bail out homeowners who speculated. (Apr 2008)
• Impose some fiscal discipline to revive the economy. (Jan 2008)

  Voting Record

• Veto all pork-barrel bills and announce pork spenders. (May 2007)
• 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)
• Maintain & enforce existing spending caps in the future. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Civil Rights

• Equal pay for equal work case was a trial lawyer’s dream. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Pay discrimination still subject to time limits. (Oct 2008)
• Supports CA Prop. 8: one-man-one-woman marriage. (Jul 2008)
• Voted against MLK holiday in 1983; now calls that a mistake. (Apr 2008)
• Don’t ask, don’t tell is working; don’t tamper with it. (Jun 2007)
• Confederate flag on top of capitol was wrong; in front is ok. (May 2007)
• Leave gay marriage to the states. (Jan 2007)
• John Lewis was as courageous as anyone could ever hope to be. (Apr 2004)
• Fear did not restrain Dr. King to resist repression. (Apr 2004)
• 1994: No Senate hiring discrimination by sexual orientation. (Jan 2004)
• 1987: 1st Senate committee was Indian affairs, crucial to AZ. (Sep 2000)
• Support evangelism but don’t pander to evangelical leaders. (Feb 2000)
• Inter-racial dating ban is idiotic and cruel. (Feb 2000)
• Career-long history of supporting Indian causes. (Jan 2000)
• Ten Commandments would bring virtue to our schools. (Jan 2000)
• Confederate flag is a “symbol of heritage”. (Jan 2000)
• Allow, but not mandate, school prayer. (Jan 2000)
• Would be “comfortable” with a gay president. (Dec 1999)
• Flying Confederate flag should be left to states. (Sep 1999)
• 1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups. (Aug 1999)
• Indian gambling OK; lottery is not. (Aug 1999)
• Hollywood should voluntarily self-censor sex and violence. (Jul 1999)
• Supports Amendment against flag-burning. (Apr 1999)
• We don’t need laws against Spanish language & culture. (Mar 1999)
• Affirmative action OK for specific programs, but no quotas. (Jul 1998)

  Voting Record

• Ban on same-sex marriage is unRepublican; leave it to states. (Nov 2006)
• Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
• Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
• Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
• Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
• Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
• Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
• Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
• Voted YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
• Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
• Require 90 day delay for compliance before ADA lawsuits. (May 2002)
• Limit interstate class-action lawsuits to federal courts . (May 2002)
• Rated 0% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Rated 33% by the HRC, indicating a mixed record on gay rights. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)

John McCain on Corporations

• Cut taxes for small business so they can thrive. (Oct 2008)
• Warned about corporate greed & excess; supports bailout. (Sep 2008)
• Need stricter interpretation and consolidation of regulators. (Sep 2008)
• Government should be on businesses’ side, not in their way. (Jun 2008)
• More deductible expensing of equipment investments. (Feb 2008)
• Cut corporate income taxes to keep jobs here. (Jan 2008)
• People worry about corporations unduly influencing elections. (Sep 2007)
• Voted NO on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
• Rated 61% by the US COC, indicating a mixed business voting record. (Dec 2003)

John McCain on Crime

• Judges have limited scope under the Constitution. (Nov 2006)
• More death penalty; stricter sentencing. (Jan 2000)
• More community policing; enough hate crime laws. (Jan 2000)
• Prosecute youths as adults, but separately; explore sources. (Jan 2000)
• Urges hearings on how FBI can deter Hate Crimes. (Aug 1999)
• 1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups. (Aug 1999)
• Pro-death penalty; more prisons; increased penalties. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996)
• Voted YES on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996)
• Voted NO on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995)
• Voted YES on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995)
• Voted YES on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms. (May 1994)
• Voted YES on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals. (May 1994)
• Rated 29% by CURE, indicating anti-rehabilitation crime votes. (Dec 2000)
• Establish an FBI registry of sexual offendors. (Oct 1996)

John McCain on Drugs

• Mexico should extradite drug dealers to the US. (Mar 2007)
• Administration is AWOL on the war on drugs. (Mar 2000)
• Public/private partnerships for drug treatment. (Jan 2000)
• Prevention & education apply to alcohol as well as marijuana. (Oct 1999)
• We’re losing drug war - just say no. (Oct 1999)
• $1B for detection equipment for more border interdiction. (Mar 1999)
• Mexico: balancing act between free trade & stopping drugs. (Mar 1999)
• Restrict methadone treatment programs. (Feb 1999)
• Stricter penalties; stricter enforcement. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)
• Sponsored bill on drug testing for major league sports. (May 2005)
• Sponsored bill for grants to Indian tribes to fight meth. (Dec 2006)

John McCain on Education

• Achieved equality in schools; but failing schools don’t help. (Oct 2008)
• I want schools to answer to parents and students. (Sep 2008)
• Pay bonuses to teachers in the most troubled schools. (Jul 2008)
• Target funding to recruit top graduates as teachers. (Jul 2008)
• Direct $750 million to build virtual schools. (Jul 2008)
• Give parents easier access to obtain help for their children. (Jul 2008)
• Shake up failed school bureaucracies with competition. (Jun 2008)
• View has evolved on intelligent design vs. evolution. (Mar 2008)
• Teaching creationism should be decided by school districts. (Jun 2007)
• Believes in evolution, but sees the hand of God in nature. (May 2007)
• Against nationally imposed standards & funding strings. (Feb 2000)
• Teach virtues in all schools. (Dec 1999)
• Enlist retirees for tutoring. (Nov 1999)
• Good teachers should earn more than bad lawyers. (Oct 1999)
• Decisions on teaching evolution should be made locally. (Aug 1999)
• Help unqualified teachers find other lines of work. (Jul 1999)
• Supports tax-free savings accounts for education expenses. (Jul 1999)
• Supports “Reading Excellence”; and rewarding good schools. (Jul 1999)
• Supports at-risk programs; homeless ed.; anti-drop-out ed. (Jul 1999)
• Internet access, with filters, at every school & library. (Jun 1999)
• Merit pay & competency testing for teachers. (Jun 1999)
• Ed-ACT Bill: college plans; language proficiency. (May 1999)

  School Choice

• Vouchers in DC work; parents wait in line for them. (Oct 2008)
• Vouchers and school choice for all. (Jul 2008)
• Offer more choices to those who wish to become teachers. (Jul 2008)
• Place parents & children at the center of education. (Feb 2008)
• We need more choice and competition in education. (Dec 2007)
• Charters, homeschooling, & vouchers are key to success. (Dec 2007)
• Local charters are the best Arizona schools. (Mar 2000)
• Let states decide if they link vouchers to student testing. (Feb 2000)
• Use sugar, oil, and ethanol subsidies to finance vouchers. (Jan 2000)
• Tax breaks for charters - not from public school funds. (Dec 1999)
• Vouchers & charters will improve our school system. (Oct 1999)
• Nationwide test of school vouchers. (Sep 1999)
• $5B program for 3-year test of school vouchers. (Jul 1999)
• Tax-funded vouchers for private schools or charter schools. (Jun 1999)
• Shift policy-making from bureaucrats to parents. (May 1999)
• Vouchers needed where teachers fail. (May 1999)
• Vouchers for any schools; more charter schools. (Jul 1998)

  Voting Record

• Unrestricted block grants--let states decide spending. (Feb 2000)
• 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)
• Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need. (Jul 2001)
• Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions. (Jul 2001)
• Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable. (Jul 2001)
• Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education. (Dec 2003)

John McCain on Energy & Oil

• FactCheck: No, Obama voted for $300M oil tax INCREASE. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Obama not opposed to nuclear energy; just Yucca. (Sep 2008)
• GovWatch: Build 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Gas tax cut goes to oil companies, not consumers. (Jun 2008)
• Public pressure on oil industry to invest in alternatives. (Oct 2007)
• Reinvest oil profits in nuclear power. (Jun 2007)
• Ethanol made no sense in ‘05 but with $60/bbl it makes sense. (May 2007)
• Supports alternative fuels, emission controls, & CWA. (Jul 1998)

  Energy Independence

• Energy independence will create millions of jobs. (Oct 2008)
• Use alternative energy, including nuclear, coal, gas, solar. (Oct 2008)
• All of the above: nuclear, wind, tide, solar, gas, coal. (Oct 2008)
• Offshore drilling & nuke power instead of $700B to enemies. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: Voted against new investments in renewable energy. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: US sends $357B to hostile countries, not $700B. (Sep 2008)
• Attack the energy problem on every front. (Sep 2008)
• Job creation program with alternate energy & nuclear power. (Aug 2008)
• Address both the supply and demand sides of imported oil. (Jun 2008)
• Lexington Project: invest to achieve energy security. (Jun 2008)
• AdWatch: Obama is the “Dr. No” of energy security. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: No, Obama supported $150B in energy innovation. (Jun 2008)
• End moratorium on offshore oil drilling. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Favors wind & solar in ad; favors nuclear in bills. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: 2003: Ethanol doesn’t increase energy independence. (Feb 2008)
• End reliance on petro-dictators with market-based reform. (Feb 2008)
• FactCheck: Oil independence will take 25 years, not 5 years. (Dec 2007)

  Global Warming

• Nuclear power is the best way to fix climate change. (Oct 2008)
• AdWatch: Realistic climate plan that clashes with GOP. (Jun 2008)
• Be more active in addressing the issue of climate change. (Jan 2008)
• In favor of cap-and-trade. (Jan 2008)
• Climate change is real and must be addressed. (Dec 2007)
• Climate change is real; nuclear power is solution. (Oct 2007)
• FactCheck: nuclear plants do emit no GHGs, but do have waste. (Jun 2007)
• 2000: Held hearings on mounting evidence of climate change. (Jan 2004)
• 2000: Criticized Bush’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Treaty. (Jan 2004)
• Energy 2001: 1st Republican to sign onto reducing GHGS. (May 2002)
• Strength Clean Air & Water Acts; but not Kyoto. (Jan 2000)

  Voting Record

• GovWatch: Yes, his cap-and-trade bill is mandatory. (Jun 2008)
• Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
• Voted NO on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
• Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
• Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
• Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
• Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
• Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
• Sponsored bill for greenhouse gas tradeable allowances. (Feb 2005)
• Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Gas tax holiday for the summer. (Apr 2008)
• Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Environment

• Create green jobs to help economy & environment. (Oct 2008)
• GovWatch: Voted for one Congressional Katrina investigation. (Jun 2008)
• Support much tougher regulations on emission requirements. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Criticized $3M “bear DNA” study, but voted for it. (Nov 2007)
• Economic & environmental interests not mutually exclusive. (Sep 2007)
• Scored 40% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection. (Jan 2007)
• 1996: Put 3.5B acres of land into wilderness protection. (Jan 2004)
• Preserving wilderness among proudest achievements. (Sep 2002)
• 1980s: 1st House committee was water rights, crucial to AZ. (Sep 2000)
• Preserve and help our National Parks. (Jan 2000)
• Repeal ban on new roads in wilderness due to bad process. (Dec 1999)
• Use park visitor fees for park development bonds. (Dec 1999)
• Preserve natural resources for future. (Jul 1999)
• 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)
• End commercial whaling and illegal trade in whale meat. (Jun 2001)
• Supports grants for brownfields remediation. (May 2002)
• Make EPA into a Cabinet department. (May 2002)
• Rated 53% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)
• EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004)
• Focus on results, not regulation. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Families & Children

• Supports flex-time & unpaid family leave. (Nov 2004)
• Unfiltered Internet robs our children of their innocence. (Dec 1999)
• Parents should be active in media kids are exposed to. (Jul 1999)
• Label violent media products like we label cigarettes. (Jun 1999)
• Media Responsibility Act requires video & music labeling. (Jun 1999)
• Violence in media caused Littleton shootings. (Apr 1999)
• Voted YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
• Rated 83% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)

John McCain on Foreign Policy

• Ukraine now in Putin’s sights; penalize Russian aggression. (Oct 2008)
• Nuclear Iran is an existential threat to Israel. (Sep 2008)
• Preconditions required for talks with rogue states. (Sep 2008)
• Russian aggression in Georgia is wrong; I see KGB in Putin. (Sep 2008)
• Sit down with any leader, but only with pre-conditions. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: Obama sought restraint in Georgia; so did Bush. (Sep 2008)
• I’m prepared for the dangerous threats in this world. (Sep 2008)
• 1994: Worked with John Kerry to normalize Vietnam relations. (Mar 2008)
• No circumstances where president can disregard treaties. (Dec 2007)
• Maintain Cuban embargo; indict Castro. (Dec 2007)
• Situation in Pakistan very serious, but not nuclear threat. (Oct 2007)
• Naive to exclude nukes; naive to exclude attacking Pakistan. (Aug 2007)
• We have good reason to expect solidarity of our allies. (Aug 2004)
• Suu Kyi and the people of Burma will rule themselves someday. (Apr 2004)
• Overthrow “rogue” governments to keep Americans safe. (Feb 2000)
• Our conscience influences US intervention, as in Rwanda. (Feb 2000)
• Africa: Money for AIDS would be lost to corruption. (Jan 2000)
• Concern over Chechnya spreads to Caucasus oil reserves. (Jan 2000)
• Russia: Sanctions until Putin exits Chechnya. (Jan 2000)
• IMF’s Russia policies bad, but agency is OK. (Oct 1999)
• Urge Japan to open economy to ensure Asian recovery. (May 1999)
• Clinton abandoned framework of “assertive multilateralism”. (Apr 1999)
• Korea: ease starvation, but avoid war during death throes. (Apr 1999)
• Cuba: No diplomatic and trade relations. (Jul 1998)

  China

• Support the One-China policy, don’t weaken it. (Mar 2000)
• $1M political donations by Chinese Army should not be legal. (Jan 2000)
• China: Advocate for political reforms, and guard Taiwan. (Jun 1999)
• Inaction on spying led to Chinese nuclear improvement. (May 1999)
• Engage with China as they become a great power. (Apr 1999)

  Voting Record

• Pay dues to UN after UN reforms. (Jul 1998)
• Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
• Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
• Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
• Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
• Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)
• Voted YES on ending Vietnam embargo. (Jan 1994)
• Sponsored bill suspending Russia's participation in the G-8. (Feb 2005)
• Libyan disarmament was a CIA success story. (Mar 2005)
• Impose sanctions and an import ban on Burma. (Oct 2007)
• Urge Venezuela to re-open dissident radio & TV stations. (May 2007)
• Call for Burma's junta to release political prisoners. (Jun 2007)
• Let Ukraine & Georgia enter NATO. (Jan 2008)

John McCain on Free Trade

• Free trade with Colombia is something that’s a no-brainer. (Oct 2008)
• When have Americans ever been afraid of foreign competition? (Jun 2008)
• Globalization is an opportunity--reduce barriers to trade. (Feb 2008)
• Consider subsidies a mistake, and oppose them. (Dec 2007)
• Every time US went protectionist, we paid heavy price. (Oct 2007)
• Supports ethanol, but by exporting, not by subsidies. (Oct 2007)
• No environmental provisions in trade agreements. (Nov 2004)
• Supports opening border to Mexican trucks. (May 2002)
• Against foreign sales corporations (offshore tax breaks). (Feb 2000)
• Substitute trade treaties for protectionism. (Jan 2000)
• Admit China to WTO based on their concessions. (Jun 1999)
• Free trade with any country except security risks. (May 1999)
• Retaliatory protectionism is a “murder-suicide pact”. (May 1999)
• Chile in NAFTA is good, but Fast Track isn’t. (May 1999)
• China: Keep open trade & diplomacy; but keep eyes open. (Apr 1999)
• Mexico: balancing act between free trade & stopping drugs. (Mar 1999)
• NAFTA has had unambiguously positive impact on US. (Mar 1999)

  Voting Record

• Pro-NAFTA, pro-GATT, pro-MFN, pro-Fast Track. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
• Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
• Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
• Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
• Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
• Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
• Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
• Voted NO on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)
• Promote the Andean Free Trade Agreement. (May 2002)
• Rated 100% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Sponsored bill for trade with post-Orange Revolution Ukraine. (Apr 2005)
• Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)

John McCain on Government Reform

• Partisan rancor isn’t a cause, it’s a symptom. (Sep 2008)
• Fought corruption and the big spenders in both parties. (Sep 2008)
• Share the credit for good ideas instead of fighting over it. (Sep 2008)
• Eliminate broken government programs--20% of all program. (Feb 2008)
• More sunshine on the Working Group on Financial Markets. (Jan 2008)
• No signing statements: either sign or veto bills. (Dec 2007)
• Focus on homeland safety, restoring trust, and fiscal policy. (Dec 2007)
• Authored line-item veto law; struck down by Supreme Court. (Oct 2007)
• Keating Five mea culpa established openness to press. (Oct 2007)
• There’s only one president; V.P. sticks to official duties. (Aug 2007)
• Reform election system, and get rid of electors. (Nov 2000)
• No term limits; they throw away the good with the bad. (Jan 2000)
• Influence peddling helps the Chinese Army. (Sep 1999)
• Politicans poll, posture, & influence-peddle. (Jun 1999)
• Supports Line-Item Veto and Balanced Budget. (May 1999)
• Supports term limits on Congress. (Jul 1998)

  Campaign Finance Reform

• No litmus test for Supreme Court nominees on McCain-Feingold. (Feb 2008)
• The 527s need to be eliminated. (Oct 2007)
• OpEd: McCain-Feingold chilled grassroots political speech. (Oct 2007)
• 527s are clearly illegal; reform intended for small donors. (Apr 2007)
• Supported then opposed transparency in grassroots reporting. (Jan 2007)
• Profile in Courage award for preserving integrity of system. (Apr 2003)
• Campaign finance reform needed to restore faith in politics. (May 2002)
• Finance reform will prevail if we have the votes & the guts. (May 2002)
• Supported non-severability as key component of CFR. (May 2002)
• CFR passes Senate; focus on House, not court challenges. (Apr 2001)
• Differentiate “electioneering” from real issue ads. (Mar 2001)
• Clearer rules about campaign finance; no soft money. (Jan 2001)
• Replace battle of bucks with battle of ideas. (Feb 2000)
• Fight iron triangle: special interests, money, & legislation. (Feb 2000)
• Campaign reform that’s best for country, not for GOP. (Jan 2000)
• Take away soft money & “hurt the unions bad”. (Jan 2000)
• Money corrupts politics, and soft money corrupts absolutely. (Dec 1999)
• Campaign Finance: ban both labor union & corporate donations. (May 1999)

  Earmarks & Pork

• Would fight for line-item veto, and veto pork. (Oct 2008)
• We need a reformer because system in Washington is broken. (Oct 2008)
• I fought earmarks even in defense spending. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Killed corrupt $6.8B contract, but reinstated it. (Oct 2008)
• Get earmarks under control to deal with the financial crisis. (Sep 2008)
• Obama requested for $932M of pork projects; I fought pork. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: Earmarks have gone down in last 5 years. (Sep 2008)
• Earmarks are terrible and pernicious; Palin learned that. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: $35B in pork meant $484 per child, not $1000. (Jan 2008)
• I’m “the sheriff”, not Miss Congeniality, about pork bills. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Claim of “24 years with no earmarks” mostly true. (Jan 2008)
• Close corporate loopholes; veto pork-barrel spending. (Jan 2000)
• Drain the big money swamp to kill lobbyist mosquitoes. (Dec 1999)
• End sugar subsidy; corporate welfare at its worst. (Aug 1999)

  Voting Record

• Gets legislation passed despite lack of congeniality. (Mar 2000)
• Voted NO on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
• Voted YES on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
• Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
• Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
• Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
• Voted NO on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
• Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
• Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996)
• Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)
• Supports Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Reform. (Jul 2001)
• Sponsored bill subjecting 527s to political committee rules. (Feb 2005)
• Sponsored bill prohibiting non-legislated earmarks. (Jul 2005)
• Sponsored bill disclosing lobbyist info & gifts on Internet. (Dec 2005)
• Rethink flawed Presidential daily intelligence briefings. (Mar 2005)
• CIA yielded to conventional wisdom, not political pressure. (Mar 2005)
• Sponsored bill allowing individual votes on each earmark. (Feb 2006)
• Reduce federal government size & scope, including military. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Gun Control

• I know how to use guns; but I don’t own one. (Nov 2007)
• Prosecute criminals, not citizens for gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
• Don’t hold gun manufacturers liable for crimes. (Sep 2007)
• Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types. (Sep 2007)
• Calls for GOP “tolerance” of closing gun show loopholes. (May 2002)
• Ban cheap guns; require safety locks; for gun show checks. (Aug 1999)
• Supports ban on certain assault weapons. (Aug 1999)
• Voted against Brady Bill & assault weapon ban. (Aug 1999)
• Guns are a problem, but so are violent web sites & videos. (Aug 1999)
• Punish criminals who abuse 2nd Amendment rights. (May 1999)
• Youth Violence Prevention Act restricts guns for kids. (May 1999)
• Repeal existing gun restrictions; penalize criminal use. (Jul 1998)
• 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)
• Ban gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington DC. (Mar 2007)
• Allow firearms in National Parks. (Feb 2008)

John McCain on Health Care

• Get healthcare records online to reduce costs. (Oct 2008)
• Mandated heath insurance is Big Government at its best. (Oct 2008)
• 50% credit for businesses who provide employees insurance. (Oct 2008)
• Put health records online, to reduce medical errors. (Oct 2008)
• Health care is a responsibility: just make it available. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Plan is $5,000 per family, not $5,000 per person. (Oct 2008)
• Bring together smart Americans to solve Medicare. (Oct 2008)
• $5,000 refundable tax credit for every family. (Sep 2008)
• Family should make health decisions, not federal government. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: Obama’s plan is voluntary for adults. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: McCain’s $5,000 health tax credit would be taxed. (Aug 2008)
• Large tax credit for families to buy their health care. (Jul 2008)
• Harness market competition for comprehensive reform. (Feb 2008)
• Preserve quality of health care by individual responsibility. (Dec 2007)
• Give individuals $2500 refundable tax credits for healthcare. (Oct 2007)
• Control health costs so manufacturers stay competitive. (Oct 2007)
• No mandated universal system; no mandated insurance coverage. (Jun 2006)
• We should be able to reimport drugs from Canada. (Jan 2006)
• Include a health savings account in healthcare reform. (Jan 2006)
• The problem with health care in America is inflation. (Jan 2006)
• Supports tax-free medical savings accounts & tax credits. (Nov 2004)
• 1989: No mandatory catastrophic Medicare coverage. (Jan 2004)
• 1993: To socialize healthcare would be to ruin it. (Jan 2004)
• Greater consumer access to generic drugs. (May 2002)
• Favorite cause: Cleft-palate surgery for children. (Oct 2007)
• Higher taxes on cigarettes. (Jan 2000)
• Matching funds for seniors citizens’ prescription drugs. (Dec 1999)
• Expand health insurance to 11 million uninsured children. (Dec 1999)
• Keep health care promises to aging veterans. (Nov 1999)
• Address powerlessness when faced with health care crises. (Jul 1999)
• “Patient rights” means value human life over dollars. (Jul 1999)
• Expand medical savings; community health; & tax deductions. (Jul 1999)
• Patient Rights: access; MDs over HMOs; grievance process. (Jul 1999)
• Allow paying extra for choice of doctors & care. (Jul 1999)
• Full doctor-patient discussion even when it costs HMO. (Jul 1999)
• Supports patient rights; regulate nicotine as a drug. (Jul 1998)
• More tax-deductible health costs; limits on malpractice. (Jul 1998)

  Voting Record

• Allow appealing HMO decisions externally & in court. (Jul 1999)
• 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)
• Tax credits for those without employee health insurance. (May 2002)
• Tax deduction for long-term care insurance. (May 2002)
• Support telemedicine for underserved areas. (May 2002)
• $350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors. (May 2002)
• Rated 25% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)

John McCain on Homeland Security

• FactCheck: Pushed for immediate withdrawal from Somalia. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Voted against Lebanon deployment, but post-hoc. (Oct 2008)
• Credit Bush, troops, & luck, for not another 9/11. (Sep 2008)
• I hate war; it’s terrible beyond imagination. (Sep 2008)
• Clinton & Bush missed opportunities to get bin Laden. (Sep 2008)
• Disagrees with Bush often; but credits no attacks since 9/11. (Aug 2008)
• Applying habeas to Guantanamo let 30 terrorists attack US. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Only 13 Gitmo recidivists & none attacked US. (Jun 2008)
• Improve human intelligence to get Osama bin Laden. (Jan 2008)
• Surveillance of overseas communications is ok. (Dec 2007)
• Ok to hold even US citizens as enemy combatants. (Dec 2007)
• Consult lawyers on war decisions; no half-cocked war basis. (Oct 2007)
• Ran the largest squadron in the US Navy. (Oct 2007)
• After 9/11, ask Americans to join military or AmeriCorps. (Oct 2007)
• Let loose smart, tough spies to catch Bin Laden. (Oct 2007)
• His Military Commissions Act ended up denying habeas corpus. (Oct 2007)
• 1973: Spokesperson for Operation Homecoming. (Oct 2007)
• 1977:Appointed as Navy liaison to Congress. (Oct 2007)
• I’ve spent my life leading on national security issues. (Sep 2007)
• Radical Islamic extremism is a hydra-headed challenge. (Aug 2007)
• I support the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war. (Jan 2006)
• We must provide our children a strong, better country. (Aug 2004)
• A lack of complacency shouldn’t provoke a lack of confidence. (Aug 2004)
• We don’t have as much to fear as we had in the past. (Apr 2004)
• Those who gave their lives deserve to be remembered. (Apr 2004)
• First reaction to Sept 11: “This is war”. (May 2002)
• Argued for base closings even in the wake of 9/11. (May 2002)
• Channel fear into productive missions and activities. (May 2002)
• “Rogue state rollback” avoids use of US troops. (Mar 2000)
• Accepts gays in military under current policy. (Jan 2000)
• Military’s political leaders need military backgrounds. (Jan 2000)
• Women have proven themselves in combat-no restrictions. (Dec 1999)
• Bombing useless targets in Vietnam destroyed US morale. (Nov 1999)
• Pres. needs experience more than briefing books. (Sep 1999)
• Discard ABM Treaty and develop a missile defense. (Apr 1999)
• Use force, with US control, only for vital interests. (Apr 1999)

  Defense Spending

• Make all defense contracts fixed-cost; costs out of control. (Sep 2008)
• Cited 245 pork projects, or $3.5M waste in defense bill. (Oct 2007)
• Clean up waste in defense acquisition. (May 2007)
• Eliminate defense pork, but increase most other defense. (Nov 2004)
• Terminate C-130, B-2, and Seawolf; use funds to modernize. (Dec 1999)
• Politicians keep unneeded bases open for political purposes. (Dec 1999)
• Keep health care promises to aging veterans. (Nov 1999)
• $6.4B of military spending waste is a disgrace. (Oct 1999)
• Raise military pay to avoid military draft. (Aug 1999)
• Military personnel on food stamps is a national disgrace. (Aug 1999)
• Europeans should spend more on defense, within NATO. (Apr 1999)

  Torture

• Bush administration’s waterboarding was torture. (Aug 2008)
• McCain Amendment: Torture ban passed by veto-proof majority. (Jul 2008)
• Hiding torture is wrong, and harms US credibility abroad. (Dec 2007)
• Waterboarding is torture; we’re not going to torture people. (Nov 2007)
• Waterboarding is torture; & as A.G., Mukasey will declare it. (Nov 2007)
• Torture supported only by people without military experience. (Sep 2007)
• Torture is ineffective as interrogation & for world opinion. (May 2007)
• Close Guantanamo Bay prison; announce no-torture policy. (Apr 2007)
• Torture has never worked throughout history. (Apr 2007)

  Vietnam

• Experience has taught me: the US military must not fail. (Sep 2008)
• Inappropriate to lie to public; tell Americans what we face. (Sep 2008)
• Vietnam generation still haunted by specter of Vietnam. (Oct 2007)
• Casualty of Vietnam was loss of America’s faith in herself. (Oct 2007)
• Worked with John Kerry on Vietnam POWs. (Oct 2007)
• Immutable principle of war: luck is unreliable. (Aug 2007)
• Vietnam not wrong, but how it was fought and led was. (Sep 2002)
• Disagrees with Perot: No more POWs in Vietnam. (Feb 2000)
• Vietnam was a worthy cause despite losing. (Nov 1999)

  Voting Record

• Keep “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy - it works. (Jan 2000)
• 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)
• Federalize aviation security. (Nov 2001)
• Rated 0% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Sponsored bill giving higher priority to rail security. (Jul 2005)
• Sponsored bill banning torture of terrorists in US custody. (Jul 2005)
• Innovate intelligence-gathering for future hard targets. (Mar 2005)
• Assessments of al Qaida in Afghanistan in 2001 were accurate. (Mar 2005)
• CIA needs more focus on counterterrorism. (Mar 2005)
• So-called Legal Issues are myths; not real CIA hindrances. (Mar 2005)
• Intelligence community shares information poorly. (Mar 2005)
• CIA should work more with scientists to understand WMDs. (Mar 2005)
• Sponsored bill for Iraq budget to be part of defense budget. (Jun 2006)
• Improve educational assistance for veterans. (Apr 2008)

John McCain on Immigration

• Restart comprehensive reform only after securing borders. (Jun 2008)
• Other aspects only after consensus that borders are secure. (Feb 2008)
• Deport 2 million illegal immigrants who committed crimes. (Jan 2008)
• Would no longer push his own 2006 immigration proposal. (Jan 2008)
• Certify border is secure; only then allow guest workers. (Jan 2008)
• 2003 “amnesty” didn’t mean rewarding illegal behavior. (Jan 2008)
• Round up and deport two million aliens who committed crimes. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Yes, he has used the word “amnesty” in the past. (Jan 2008)
• Do everything I can to help all immigrants learn English. (Dec 2007)
• Illegal immigrants are God’s children as well. (Nov 2007)
• Absences from negotiations hurt reform bill’s chances. (Oct 2007)
• 12 million illegals in country now is de facto amnesty. (Sep 2007)
• Amnesty is forgiveness; we offer fines; lines; & long waits. (Sep 2007)
• No official English; Native Americans use own languages. (Jun 2007)
• Immigration reform needed for national security. (Jun 2007)
• Hispanics serve our country, like every wave of immigrants. (Jun 2007)
• America expects us to work on immigration together. (May 2007)
• Bipartisanship shows preparedness for presidency. (May 2007)
• Change rule barring immigrants from running for president. (May 2007)
• Comprehensive reform requires temporary worker program. (May 2007)
• Comprehensive reform must include border security first. (Apr 2007)
• McCain-Kennedy bill: balanced alternative to HR.4437. (Jul 2006)
• I’ve never supported amnesty. (Jan 2006)
• We have to secure the borders first. (Jan 2006)
• Make possible for immigrants to do a job Americans won’t do. (Oct 2004)
• Give everyone in the world an opportunity to come to America. (Oct 2004)
• 1988: Honored by La Raza for opposing official English. (Jan 2004)
• More help for legal immigrants when immigrating & once here. (Jul 1998)

  Voting Record

• No more ballot initiatives against immigration. (Mar 1999)
• 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)
• English immersion over bilingual education. (Jul 2001)
• Sponsored comprehensive immigration reform, without amnesty. (May 2005)
• Rated 18% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

John McCain on Jobs

• Cut business taxes so companies will keep jobs in US. (Sep 2008)
• Help workers find new jobs that won’t go away. (Sep 2008)
• Voted against minimum wage 19 times, when in pork bills. (Aug 2008)
• Raising taxes eliminates jobs. (Jul 2008)
• Produce jobs by producing America’s own energy. (Jul 2008)
• Overhaul unemployment insurance as a retraining program. (Feb 2008)
• Straight talk: some jobs aren’t coming back. (Jan 2008)
• Unions are monopolies; don’t compel people to join. (Oct 2007)
• Family farms: Crop insurance; reduce inheritance tax. (Jan 2000)
• Ethanol is not worth it, even in Iowa. (Dec 1999)
• Ethanol bad for environment & bad for consumers. (Nov 1999)
• End sugar subsidy; it hurts consumers & helps only tycoons. (Aug 1999)
• Ethanol subsidy is outdated; use funds for education. (Jul 1999)
• Voted NO on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
• Voted NO on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
• Voted YES on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997)
• Voted YES on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996)
• Rated 15% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)

John McCain on Principles & Values

• I am not President Bush; so don’t run against him!. (Oct 2008)
• People should know about Obama connection to ACORN & Ayers. (Oct 2008)
• Identified with Wright brothers, for tenacity & resolve. (Oct 2008)
• Governors Clinton & Reagan were underestimated too. (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)
• 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)
• 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)
• Fight to restore the pride and principles of our party. (Sep 2008)
• 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

• Palin is a reformer and a role model. (Oct 2008)
• I fight for Americans; I fight for you. (Sep 2008)
• Warning to Washington crowd: Change is coming. (Sep 2008)
• Fight for what’s right for our country. (Sep 2008)
• 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)

  Iraq War

• Obama broke his word on public campaign financing. (Oct 2008)

  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)
• Absent from Values Voter Presidential Debate. (Sep 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)
• 1990: McCain & Glenn exonerated in Keating 5 scandal. (Sep 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

• Favorite movie: “Viva Zapata”, a heroic tale of sacrifice. (Sep 2008)
• OpEd: Senator Hothead nickname is well-earned. (Mar 2008)
• 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)

John McCain on Social Security

• Future retirees cannot get what current ones get. (Oct 2008)
• It’s not that tough to fix Social Security, if bipartisan. (Oct 2008)
• Looming challenges of entitlements need personal accounts. (Feb 2008)
• We need personal savings accounts. (Oct 2007)
• Willing to compromise on raising cap above $90K. (May 2007)
• Save benefits by bipartisan agreement; but without new tax. (Apr 2007)
• Trust Fund is a ticking time bomb, set to go off in 2014. (Jan 2000)
• More believe in Elvis than in getting Social Security check. (Jan 2000)
• Option to invest 20% of payroll taxes in private accounts. (Jan 2000)
• Every dollar off-budget - no ifs, ands, or excuses. (Sep 1999)
• Disallow using Trust Fund for “emergency” spending. (Jun 1999)
• Allow workers to invest privately. (Jun 1999)
• Earnings test penalizes productivity in retirees. (Jun 1999)
• Eliminate the “earnings test” which taxes benefits. (May 1999)
• Lock up Trust Fund; devote 62% of budget surplus to it. (May 1999)
• Put surplus into Trust Fund; fulfill promised benefits. (Jul 1998)
• 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)
• Rated 40% by the ARA, indicating a mixed record on senior issues. (Dec 2003)
• Supports individual savings accounts and work incentives. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Tax Reform

• Keep tax rates the same; let’s not raise anybody’s taxes. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Obama voted for taxes 76 times, not 94 times. (Oct 2008)
• Worst thing in bad economic climate is to raise taxes. (Sep 2008)
• Double the child tax exemption from $3,500 to $7,000. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: $7,000-per-child tax EXEMPTION, not tax CREDIT. (Aug 2008)
• Double the personal tax exemption for every dependent. (Jul 2008)
• Terrible mistake to raise taxes during an economic downturn. (Jun 2008)
• Veto any tax increase; worst thing now is to raise taxes. (Feb 2008)
• 2001: tax package with spending restraint, against Bush cuts. (Feb 2008)
• Require a 3/5 majority vote in Congress to raise taxes. (Feb 2008)
• FactCheck: Against Bush tax cuts in 2003; for them in 2006. (Jan 2008)
• Romney raising fees a quarter-billion dollars is a tax hike. (Jan 2008)
• Opposed to the Bush tax cuts as spending got out of control. (Jan 2008)
• Supported Reagan tax cuts because matched by spending cuts. (Jan 2008)
• Reform the tax code that nobody trusts and believes in. (Dec 2007)
• We need a simpler, fairer tax code, but not FairTax. (Nov 2007)
• Tax system is fair; wealthy pay bulk of taxes. (Oct 2007)
• Won’t sign no-tax pledge; focus on cutting spending. (Sep 2007)
• Make tax reform commission & vote yes-or-no on outcome. (Aug 2007)
• FactCheck: Families spend $20B on tax prep, not $140B. (Aug 2007)
• Opposed Bush tax cuts, but must extend them now. (May 2007)
• New tax cuts account for contingencies and over-spending. (May 2007)
• Alternative minimum tax is eating Americans alive. (May 2007)
• Bush tax cuts fiscally reckless & favored rich;but keep them. (Apr 2007)
• Consistent on focusing tax cuts more toward middle class. (May 2002)
• Tax plan: $238B over 5 years; $500B over 10 years. (Feb 2000)
• Double child tax credit; add family incentives. (Feb 2000)
• “Balanced approach”, and starts a flat tax system. (Feb 2000)
• Reagan Republican: simplify taxes; cut waste. (Feb 2000)
• Big money interests fear closing loopholes. (Jan 2000)
• Remove charitable deduction; it only benefits rich. (Jan 2000)
• Replace employer-provided benefits with a tax cut. (Jan 2000)
• Middle-class tax cut: expand 15% tax bracket. (Jan 2000)
• Don’t promise tax cuts from future surpluses we may not have. (Jan 2000)
• 1st step to simplify taxes: close special interest loopholes. (Dec 1999)
• Supports flat tax; stop complexity by special interests. (Oct 1999)
• Keep lump-sum earned income tax credit. (Oct 1999)
• Cut marriage tax, inheritance tax, & earnings test. (Sep 1999)
• Taxes should be flatter, lower, and simpler. (Apr 1999)

  Voting Record

• GovWatch: 2001: against tax cut that went to rich. (Feb 2008)
• Voting against Bush cuts then for them: not a mistake. (Jan 2008)
• Voted against Bush tax cuts for not reining in spending. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
• 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)
• Rated 72% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 50% by CTJ, indicating a mixed record on progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
• Implement socially fair, broad-based tax cuts. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on War & Peace

Global War on Terror

• In Afghanistan, employ same winning strategy as in Iraq. (Sep 2008)
• Don’t threaten Pakistan; it’s part of Afghan strategy. (Sep 2008)
• We face transcendent evil of radical Islamic extremism. (Sep 2008)
• Since 1998, championed policy of “rogue-state rollback”. (Oct 2007)
• Follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell. (May 2007)
• Prefers not to take troops out of Afghanistan. (Jan 2007)
• The War on Terror is the overriding and transcendent issue. (Oct 2004)
• The War on Terror is a fight between good and evil. (Aug 2004)
• The War on Terror a war we must fight. (Aug 2004)
• Avoiding the War on Terror has cost us dearly. (Aug 2004)
• Bush promised enemies would soon hear from us and they did. (Aug 2004)
• Our adversaries express a hatred for all good in humanity. (Aug 2004)
• 2000: Warned against radical Islamic terrorism. (May 2002)
• 2001: No pinprick responses to 9/11; it’s a long haul. (May 2002)
• 2001: Nuclear weapons unnecessary against terrorists. (May 2002)
• Palestine: Against declaration of statehood. (Feb 1999)

  Iran

• Don’t wait for UN if Iran attacks Israel. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Obama did declare Republican Guard terrorists. (Sep 2008)
• Strategic bombing of Iran OK only if imminent threat. (Dec 2007)
• Congress can only declare war; not micromanage wars. (Dec 2007)
• Keep military option open against Iran, even if no nukes. (Dec 2007)
• No direct talk with Iran; talk is over-rated. (Dec 2007)
• Iran & Syria must not get nukes; they’ll exterminate Israel. (Nov 2007)
• Iran is state sponsor of terrorism; no more evidence needed. (Nov 2007)
• Congressional consultation before attacking Iran’s nukes. (Oct 2007)
• Sanctions to prevent Iranian nukes; but don’t count on UN. (Sep 2007)
• Iran is sponsor of terrorism; US strike if they get nukes. (May 2007)

  Iraq War

• Biden’s plan to partition Iraq was a cockamamie idea. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Biden’s plan decentralized Iraq; not 3 countries. (Oct 2008)
• Bring our troops home with victory and with honor. (Oct 2008)
• FactCheck: Bush vetoed troop bill that Obama voted against. (Sep 2008)
• We now have a great strategy & are winning in Iraq. (Sep 2008)
• The next president has to decide how and when to leave Iraq. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: Admiral did not call Obama’s plan dangerous. (Sep 2008)
• Obama would lose a war to win a political campaign. (Sep 2008)
• Quoting “100 years in Iraq” is out-of-context. (Apr 2008)
• Despite deserters & Basra loss, Iraqi military doing better. (Apr 2008)
• Costs will be far greater should we fail in Iraq. (Feb 2008)
• Not a matter of how long in Iraq, but a matter of casualties. (Feb 2008)
• Don’t let enemy lay in the weeds until we leave. (Jan 2008)
• Support the surge and bring troops home with honor. (Jan 2008)
• Timetable for withdrawal is a white flag of surrender. (Jan 2008)
• Staying for 100 years OK, if US casualties are low. (Jan 2008)
• The Iraq war was worth the price in blood and treasure. (Jan 2008)
• Ok with American presence in Iraq for 100 years. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Yes, criticized Rumsfeld, but not before invasion. (Jan 2008)
• Help Maliki government move forward as rapidly as possible. (Nov 2007)
• I would much rather lose a campaign than lose a war. (Oct 2007)
• Stategy in Iraq: defeat al-Qaeda; limit Iran’s influence. (Sep 2007)
• Iraq is now the central front in the war against al-Qaeda. (Sep 2007)
• Americans want to win; bin Laden thinks he’s winning now. (Sep 2007)
• Democrats proposing failure in Iraq by withdrawing. (Sep 2007)
• Reducing military presence has never in history won a war. (Sep 2007)
• Bring troops home the right way: home with honor. (Sep 2007)
• Surge is working; let it continue until it succeeds. (Sep 2007)
• Tragic mistake of Iraq: no plan to deal with success. (Aug 2007)
• Support the surge even if benchmarks are not met. (Aug 2007)
• Did not read NIE before war vote, but was fully briefed. (Jun 2007)
• If new strategy not working by Sept., we still must succeed. (Jun 2007)
• Willing to be last man standing for US involvement in Iraq. (May 2007)
• Consequences of failure: regional chaos & we must come back. (May 2007)
• In hindsight, Iraq invasion was still justified. (May 2007)
• Timetable would be catastrophe, even if Iraq wants it. (May 2007)
• Advocated leaving Somalia, but no comparison to Iraq. (May 2007)
• War has been mismanaged, but we are now on the right track. (May 2007)
• War in Iraq has not gone well: dire but not hopeless. (Mar 2007)
• Al Qaeda may take over Iraqi oilwells. (Mar 2007)
• Prefers more troops for surge, but 20,000 is sufficient. (Jan 2007)
• Bush now has the right strategy, and it’s our last chance. (Jan 2007)
• Generals advising “no more troops” was a failed policy. (Jan 2007)
• McCain Principle: Committing troops means completing mission. (Jan 2007)
• If we leave Iraq, terrorists will follow us home. (Jan 2007)
• Send in a heavy wave of troops to Iraq to establish order. (Nov 2006)
• Looting, terrorism in Iraq a result of US mistakes. (Sep 2004)
• The Iraqi war was necessary after years of failed diplomacy. (Aug 2004)
• Saddam would have acquired terrible weapons again. (Aug 2004)
• The Iraqi war was necessary, achievable and noble. (Aug 2004)
• The cause of the Iraqi war was just. (Apr 2004)
• 1991: Urged formally declaring war on Iraq over Kuwait. (Jan 2004)

  Vietnam

• 1967: POW son of admiral was propaganda coup for N. Vietnam. (Sep 2000)

  Voting Record

• Congress has no authority to cut off funds for Iraqi use. (Jan 2007)
• 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)
• Voted NO on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
• Supports $48 billion in new spending for anti-terrorism. (Jan 2002)
• CIA assessments ib Iraqi WMDs were all wrong. (Mar 2005)
• Belief in Iraqi nukes was poor analysis of aluminum tubes. (Mar 2005)
• Belief in Iraqi BWs was based on one unreliable person. (Mar 2005)
• Belief in Iraqi CWs was based on flawed imagery. (Mar 2005)
• Iraq never had delivery systems to attack US mainland. (Mar 2005)
• CIA never questioned assumption that Saddam had WMDs. (Mar 2005)
• Conclusions on Iran and North Korea are all classified. (Mar 2005)
• Support the completion of the US mission in Iraq. (Feb 2007)
• Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)

John McCain on Welfare & Poverty

• Lower and middle income Americans need more help. (Jan 2008)
• Require 40 hours work per week from welfare recipients. (Nov 2004)
• Supports block grants, welfare-to-work, state control. (Jan 2000)
• Anti-poverty shared by gov’t & faith-based orgs. (Jan 2000)
• List unoccupied HUD-owned homes, & give them away. (Feb 1999)
• Use tax code to address unemployment & working conditions. (Jul 1998)
• More housing assistance; tax breaks against homelessness. (Jul 1998)
• Pro-block grants; pro-welfare-to-work. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996)
• Voted NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996)
• Voted YES on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996)
• Voted YES on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995)
• Fully fund AmeriCorps. (Jun 2003)