John McCain
- Filed under: Uncategorized
- Date: Jan 18,2008
Early years:
Born Aug. 29, 1936 in Panama Canal Zone
Education Bachelor’s degree, U.S. Naval Academy, 1958
Career:
1958-81 Navy pilot, rose to rank of captain; decorations include Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
1967-73 Prisoner of war in North Vietname
Political career:
1983-87 Two terms in U.S. House of Representatives
Since 1987 Four terms in the U.S. Senate; elected in 2004 with over 77 percent of vote
2000 Ran unsuccessfully for Republican presidential nomination
2002 Final passage of McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law
2007 Announces he will run for president in 2008
Views:
Iraq: Supports troop surge. Wants troops to stay until Iraq ’s government is stable, secure.
Economy: End congressional spending earmarks, control government spending. Claims health-care and energy policies will spur economic growth.
Health Care: Opposes mandates; proposes a $2,500 refundable tax credit ($5,000 for families) to help people afford health insurance. Control health-care costs, expand health savings accounts.
Immigration: Supports comprehensive immigration reform with path to citizenship for illegal immigrants and a guest worker program, but says such efforts must wait until the border is secure.
Taxes: Extend Bush tax cuts, simplify tax code, reform Alternative Minimum Tax.
Global Warming: Says “it’s real,” supports a cap-and-trade policy on carbon emissions, global effort to curb it.
Energy: Focus on alternative energies, especially nuclear and biofuels, but no subsidies.
