3. MEET JOHN MCCAIN

Overview

Arizona Senator John McCain has established a niche for himself as the maverick of the Republican party. Put simply, McCain is a tough guy, a trained fighter, and no one in the party has been able to control him or predict his behavior. McCain's confrontational tactics have alienated many of his peers, and most influential Republican figures have already endorsed Bush.

A longtime proponent of campaign finance reform, McCain co-authored the bipartisan McCain-Feingold Bill that sought to ban so-called "soft-money" (large amounts of money given by corporations through loopholes). Since this bill is perceived to hurt Republicans more than Democrats, McCain made quite a few enemies among his Republican colleagues in the Senate. Although the bill was ultimately killed by a Republican sponsored filibuster, the fifty-five votes in favor of it attest to growing support for McCain's efforts. Another target of McCain's attacks is the proliferation of what is known as "pork-barrel legislation," Congressional programs that exist primarily to funnel money to constituents. One example of a pork-barrel policy that is currently in the news is ethanol subsidies, a program in which the Federal Government pays to turn Iowa corn into energy (yes, that's right, the U.S. government pays millions of dollars to make fuel out of corn.) A passionate and fiery speaker whose sharp language contrasts starkly with Bush's bland statements, McCain also has gained a reputation as a hot-head, at times displaying his rage on the Senate floor.

Despite a recent increase in his standing, McCain remains a long-shot for the nomination. Unable to even approach Bush's fund-raising (as of December 1999, Bush had raised over $57 million to McCain's $10 million), McCain has been forced to pick and choose his states. He has already forsaken Iowa, the first state caucus, in part because of a lack of resources and in part because his opposition to ethanol subsidies makes him exceedingly unpopular there.

Background

Of all the Republicans who sought the nomination this year, McCain's personal history is most typical of a Presidential candidate: he hails from a powerful political family (his father was a famous Admiral), graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, fought notably as a Navy captain in the Vietnam War and, after being captured, he survived for six years as a prisoner of war until he was finally released in 1973. From 1977 to 1981, he served as the Director of the Navy Senate Liaison Office. Choosing to stay in Washington, McCain became a member of the House of Representatives from Arizona in 1983 and then, in 1986, won a Senate seat. While in the Senate, McCain has been a consistent voice for restrictions on campaign finance and a fiery orator. Additionally, he has acquired a reputation as a loose cannon, several times criticizing members of his own party.

Issues

'Though McCain has gained a maverick reputation within his party for his emphasis on the abolition of "soft money," he has adopted traditional Republican positions on most other issues. An advocate of increased military spending, opponent of abortion (except in cases of rape and where the mother's life is in danger), and proponent of a school vouchers, McCain looks very much like a conservative should. Although, he favors limited gun control measures such as trigger -locks and background checks, he has spoken against waiting periods and other broader restrictions. McCain, like most Republicans, proposes to devote a large portion (23%) of the projected budget surplus to tax relief and favors reductions in the estate tax.

Strengths/Weaknesses

McCain's story is compelling, as is his speaking style. In addition, his crusade against soft money and pork-barrel legislation plays well with the media and casts him as a critic of politics as usual. Benefiting from recent strong performances in debates and good publicity, McCain's campaign has begun to pick up steam; for the first time, George W. Bush is no longer considered a lock to get the nomination. Yet, for all his positive points and personal strengths, McCain faces a decidedly uphill battle in his quest for the nomination: many of the leaders in his own party dislike him and are just waiting to pounce on his first mistake; Bush totally eclipses him in terms of resources and party alliances; and even in his native Arizona, polls show McCain and Bush in a dead heat. For these reasons, it is imperative that McCain build on his current momentum, win the early New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries, and that Bush continues to be given opportunities to show his inexperience (may we suggest a candidate version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire).