What Everyone Should Know About John McCain

Every four years the United States holds a presidential election. In between elections much of the electorate spends a good deal of time familiarizing themselves with the next presidential contenders. As the year 2008, a presidential year, looms just over the horizon the political pundits, reporters and average Americans are busy trying to discover who our next national leader could or perhaps should be. Among those in the national spotlight is Senator John McCain. Because of the diversity of his background different people seem to be familiar with bits and pieces of his life and background. As we move towards another presidential season here's some of what everyone should know about John McCain to make an informed choice.

1. John McCain's genes. John Quincy Adams inherited enough intellect from his father, President John Adams to find his own way to the presidency. Franklin Delano Roosevelt seemed to have some genetic sharing with his Uncle, President Theodore Roosevelt, and George Bush frequently is connected in his political stance to his father President George Herbert Walker Bush. Does John McCain have those kinds of genes to rely on as he enters the presidential fray? If elected he would be the first McCain to hold the position of President of the United States but not the first McCain to hold a position of national prominence.

John McCain is actually John McCain III. Those who bore the same name before him were formidable men. His grandfather was an Admiral commanding navy aviators at Okinawa. His father, John McCain, Jr., was an Admiral who commanded naval forces in Vietnam. John McCain III, can run for the presidency knowing that his pedigree will stand up to the test. His family has served this nation long and well.

2. Distinguished Military Career. In the last few presidential elections the measure of candidates has frequently included a discussion of their previous military background. Bill Clinton was criticized for his avoidance of the draft during the Vietnam War. President George Bush was mocked for his limited and controversial service with the national guard. Candidate John Kerry was criticized for his portrayal of his participation in the Vietnam War and the anti war positions he later adopted. It is not unlikely that military service will become a topic again in 2008.

If and when it does, John McCain,more than any other candidate, will be able to stand and deliver. Like his father and grandfather ,John McCain III was a navy man. He graduated from Annapolis and Navy flight school and saw action in the Vietnam War. He was the recipient of many medals and commendations. But what everyone should know about John McCain is that he spent more than five years as a prisoner of war. He suffered two broken arms, was tortured and beaten and refused to take an out of order release. It will be impossible for other candidates to paint McCain as anything other than an American war hero.

3.Successful PoliticianNot every military hero can take the accolades received in combat and turn them into political capital sufficient to sweep them into public office. John McCain came home from Vietnam. He went through a divorce and was remarried, retired from the navy as a Captain and then discovered his political calling. In 1982 he won a seat as a U. S. Representative from Arizona. Several years later Barry Goldwater's Senate seat became open and McCain made a successful bid.

What everyone should know about John McCain is that he took his military training and discipline and used it to construct a political team that won and retained a seat in the United States Senate for four consecutive terms. In 1997 Time magazine named John McCain as one of the twenty five most influential people in the United Sates.

4. What he brings to the table. John McCain informally announced his candidacy for the Republican Party's presidential nominee on the David Letterman Show. While McCain bowed out of a rematch with sitting President George Bush in 2004, with no incumbent in the picture in 2008 it would appear that McCain is in the race for the long haul. What everyone should know about John McCain is what does he bring to the table.

Among the other candidates on both sides of the aisle there are specifics that help to make candidates stand out and get noticed. Barak Obama would be the first bi-racial candidate for president. Hillary Clinton would be the first woman and first wife of a former president to be a nominee. Rudy Giuliani brings a reputation as America's Mayor. What does John McCain bring?

McCain has distinguished himself in the Senate by working for lobbying and campaign finance reforms. He has also stood out as one of the few senators to back President Bush surge policy in Iraq. But for McCain what followers seem to cling to, and what everyone should know about John McCain, is that he appears perhaps more than others to be his own man. His abrupt manner, his failure to court major political interest groups in some ways cost him money and votes. But for many Americans what will distinguish John McCain is his ability to come across as independent from power brokers and even to some extent from his own political party.

John McCain has the same shot at the presidency in 2008 as any of the other major contenders. As always his chances lie with the American electorate.