Emory O’Donnell
Kelley Peace
Brendan Ross
Background
• Birthdate: August 29, 1936 (Panama Canal Zone)
• Hometown: Alexandria, Va.
• Religion: Episcopalian
• Education:
– National War College, 1973
– United States Naval Academy, 1958
– Episcopal High School
• Military Service:
– United States Navy 1958-1981 with service in Vietnam
– Prisoner of war in Vietnam, 1967-1973
– Awards: Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying
Cross
• Public Service/Elected Offices:
– Senator, United States Senate, 1987-present
– Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 1995-2005
– Chair, Committee on Indian Affairs, 1995-1997, 2005-2007
– Representative, United States House of Representatives, 1983-1987
– Republican presidential candidate, 2000
• His hero is Theodore Roosevelt
Significant Personal
Experience
• US Navy jet was shot down during the Vietnam War in a bombing raid on Hanoi in October 1967.
• His broken body was seen on television screens around the world
• He refused to break the military code that prisoners of war are released in the order that they are
captured.
• 5 hard years of imprisonment, during which he was subjected to beatings and torture at the
infamous "Hanoi Hilton" prison.
• He eventually returned to the US walking on crutches and still finds it difficult to move one of his
arms above shoulder level.
• A modern American legend was born.
on victory strategy in iraq…
• Felt drastic mistakes were made in Iraq
• A greater military commitment now is necessary if we are to achieve
long-term success in Iraq.
• More troops are necessary
• America's ultimate strategy is to give Iraqis the capabilities to
govern and secure their own country
• Implement New Counterinsurgency Strategy
• Strengthen the Iraqi Armed Forces and Police
• Create the security necessary for political progress and stability
• Accelerate political and economic reconstruction in a secure
environment
• Keep Senior Officers in Place
• Call for International Pressure on Syria & Iran
• Win the Homefront
on healthcare…
• John McCain believes that insurance reforms should increase
the variety and affordability of insurance coverage.
• Reform the tax code to eliminate the bias toward employer-sponsored health
insurance
• Support tax-free medical savings accounts & tax credits.
• Allow to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines, to
maximize their choices, and heighten competition for their business
• Foster the development of routes for safe, cheaper generic versions of drugs
and biologic pharmaceuticals. Develop safety protocols that permit re-
importation to keep competition vigorous.
• Promote competition throughout the health care system - between providers
and among alternative treatments.
• John McCain Believes in Personal Responsibility
– Teach children about health care / exercise / nutrition to help stop the
rising problem of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
– Do more to take of ourselves to prevent chronic diseases when possible
– Dedicate federal research on the basis of sound science resulting in
greater focus on care and cure of chronic disease
– Higher taxes on cigarettes.
on environment…
• Over the years, McCain has slowly turned towards environmentalism.
– He says, “The process of environmental activism came over the years,
as the evidence has accumulated.”
– Before, he had taken on the standard view of Republicans that
environmental data was inconclusive, the costs of intervention can be
very high, and the outcome is questionable.
• Now, he says he's throwing his weight behind the so-called "global
warming" movement.
– He began to hold serious hearings in the Senate on global warming.
– With Democratic colleague Sen. Joseph Lieberman, he drafted a
modest piece of global warming legislation which was, "the first real
Senate vote on actually doing something about the largest
environmental peril our species has yet faced.".
• The Republican Main Street Partnership issue stance
• “I do believe that Americans, and we who are policy makers in all branches
of government, should be concerned about mounting evidence that
indicates that something is happening...I do intend, beginning with this
hearing, to become informed, to reach some conclusions, and make some
recommendations."
on economy & Budget…
• American greatness in the global economy rests on America’s ability to provide a safe
and stable environment for working men and women, and for innovators and
entrepreneurs.
• The greatness can also come from the advancement of the cause of human
freedom.
• Success will also come the free worlds ability to maintain peace and stability, secure
the global commons for the exercise of liberty, and provide for the free flow of ideas,
goods, and services.
• When the government's budget is tighter, the family budget won't have to be. If the
government is forced to make more hard choices, families will be forced to make
fewer.
• Free trade is the key to global economic growth, and a key to U.S. economic
success. Americans must let trade and globalization be politicized at our own peril.
• The challenges are great, but the costs of failure even greater.
On Border Security and
immigration…
• Our border must be secure and that the federal government has utterly failed in
its responsibility to ensure that it is security
– A secure border is an essential element of our national security.
– Tight border security includes not just the entry and exit of people, but also the effective
screening of cargo at our ports and other points of entry.
• America must build strong allies
– Mexico and Latin America (who reject the siren call of authoritarians)
• Pro-growth policies
– Keep government spending in check, hold down taxes, and cut unnecessary regulatory
burdens, so American businesses can hire and pay the best.
• Flexible labor market
– To keep employers in business and our economy on top.
– It should provide skilled Americans and immigrants with opportunity.
• Our education system must be fixed
– Ensure skills for our younger workers
– America’s retraining and assistance programs for displaced workers must be modernized so
they can pursue those opportunities
• Absorption of our immigrant population
– Learn English, American history and civics, and respect the values of a democratic society.
• America will always be that "shining city upon a hill“
– A beacon of hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life built on hard work and
optimism.
on government spending…
• John McCain wants to ensure that money spent by Congress, and
contributed by hardworking American taxpayers, is used wisely and
sensibly on legitimate national priorities, not wasted on wasteful pet
projects and special interest projects that are set aside.
• End Pork Barrel Spending
• Increase Transparency
• Make Tough Choices
• Leadership
• Path to Lower Taxes
• Open Markets & Opportunity
On Human Dignity & the Sanctity
of life…
• Overturning Roe v. Wade
– John McCain has publicly noted, "At its core, abortion is a human tragedy. To effect
meaningful change, we must engage the debate at a human level."
• Promoting adoption
– In 1993 John McCain and his wife, Cindy, adopted a little girl from Mother Teresa’s
orphanage in Bangledesh. She is currently in high school.
– McCain would like to prohibit discrimination against families with adopted children, to provide
adoption education, and to permit tax deductions for qualified adoption expenses.
• Protecting Children from Internet Pornography and Online Predators
– John McCain supports the idea of requiring all schools and libraries to restrict access to
sexually explicit material.
– To help stop the issue of online predators McCain proposed a national online registry for
persons who have been convicted of sex crimes against children.
– This would require that all sex offenders register online accounts in a national database that
can be used by law enforcement to investigate crimes against children. If these predators fail
to register they would be sent to prison for ten years.
• Advanced Technology
– John McCain strongly opposes human cloning and voted to ban the practice, and any related
experimentation, under federal law.
– John McCain will strongly support funding for promising research programs that do not
involve the use of human embryos.
On 2nd Amendment: Gun
control…
• The right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms & ammunition
• Responsibility to prosecute criminals
• Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime.
• Law abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights
• Opposes holding gun manufacturers liable for crimes committed by third
parties
• Importation of certain types of ammunition magazines & restrictions on
"assault rifles”
• Owners of firearms
• Criminal Background Checks
• Confiscation of firearms from private citizens
• Mandatory penalties for criminals who use a firearm
Differences Between McCain
and The Other Candidates
1. Ron Paul wants to end birthright citizenship, while John McCain has no
desire in doing so.
2. Mitt Romney quoted, “Shouldn't move heaven and earth" to catch bin
Laden, because Islamic terror would continue should the Al Qaeda leader
be captured; On the other hand McCain said forcefully “We will do
whatever is necessary. We will bring him to justice, and I will follow him to
the gates of hell.”
3. Ron Paul feels that the Iraq was a mistake but McCain supports it
to the fullest.
Financial Strengths
• Quarter Three
• Raised: $5,734,478
• Spent: $5,470,277
• Total Receipts: $32,124,785
Total Spent: $28,636,157
Cash on Hand: $3,488,628
Debts: $1,730,691
• Source of Funds
• Individual -$30,183,761…94%
• PAC contributions -$458,307…1%
• Candidate self-financing & Federal Funds -$0
• Other- $1,482,717
• PAC Contribution
• Business -$276,900…72%
• Labor -$2,500…1%
• Single Issue -$102,845…27%
• Top Three Industry Contributors
• 1. Retired…3,185,427
• 2. Lawyers/Law Firms…$2,214,820
• 3. Securities & Investment…$1,781,260
• Top Three Individual Contributors
• 1. Blank Rome LLP…$141,100
• 2. Citigroup Inc…$137,050
• 3. Greenberg Traurig LLP…$124,987
Press Coverage
• NY Times +&-
“Fall From the Top Lands McCain in Comfort Zone”
-The New York Times had both positive and negative things to say about John McCain. While they poked fun
about his overly laid-back personality, his past mistakes, and his attempt to be “one of thse of-the-moment, 21st
century presidential candidate,” the Times also had positive things to say. Not only did they give credit to McCain’s
overall attitude, they also noted how his campaign is still very much alive and well, something that politicans had
not predicted.
• Washington Post -
“McCain’s WMD Is a Mouth That Won’t Quit”
-The Washington Post had only negative things to say about John McCain. The Post criticized everything from
McCain’s personality to his current campaign. The author remarked that McCain “possesses wisecracks of mass
destruction” and that his life is “A series of impolitic one-liners, each one illuminating complex threads of the past.”
Overall, the Post disagreed with McCain and harshly criticized him throughout the entire article.
• The Arizona Republic +
“McCain Revitalizing Campgaign, Likes His Odds in N.H. Primary”
-The Arizona Republic had a mostly positive opinion on John McCain. The newspaper article praised John McCain
as a serious presidential candidate and said that he is “A good guy.” The newspaper also noted that although he
may be an underdog in this Presidential Election, he is going to be very formidable and has showed great promise.
press coverage continued…
• US News -
“The Hot-Tempered Candidate” -
-In this national magazine, Kenneth T. Walsh asks, “John McCain: “loose cannon or straight shooter- or maybe a
little bit of both?”This article examines two different views on John McCain’s role as president. One view of McCain
is that he lacks temperament to be president. McCain’s supporters argue that, “strong presidents have a habit of
using salty language and getting angry.” Overall this article has provided its viewers two valid positions on
McCain’s role as president, both with examples to back it up.
• The Courant
“McCain’s Quiet Resurgence” +
-In the Hartford Courant, this article comments, “The strangest thing about John McCain’s campaign for president
is that it’s supposed to be dead, but it isn’t.” The article views McCain still standing as a credit to his persistence. It
says that McCain is finally being taken seriously not only by the press, but also by Republican voters. The article
gives statistics of where McCain has been improving, but ads that McCain needs to overcome Romney’s lead,
built by intensive TV advertising and extensive personal campaigning. The article also says that McCain’s strong
endorsement of the Iraq War is hurting him. The press, in this article, has covered McCain’s campaign as a
growing improvement.
Campaign Advertisement
• John McCain’s main message in his campaign ad’s are “courageous service,
experienced leadership, bold solutions.”
• McCain’s tone in his ad’s puts down other candidates, and speaks confident of
himself.
• McCain shows a clip of him as a prisoner of war, trying to advertise himself as
an experienced leader to his viewers.
• McCain promotes that he will stop wasteful spending by congress, and restore
trust in government.
• http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Multimedia/
• (TV AD: “guts” or “Woodstock”)
The Type of Person Who Would
Vote for McCain
• Conservative
• Supports offensive action in the Middle East
• supports providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented
immigrants with some restrictions
• believs in anthropogenic global warming
• strong pro-life oting record
• a strong free trade voting record
• wants private social security accounts
• opposes to socialized health care
• supports school vouchers
• supports the death penalty
• supports mandatory sentencing
• supports welfare reform
• supports the 2nd ammendment
Public Speaking
• John McCain: Public Speaking
• Strengths
• Speaks confidently
• Repeats his past experiences and how qualified
he is
• Good at maximizing media exposure
• Weaknesses
• Reputation of bad temper (other candidates
could use this against him)
Works Cited
Dionne, Ej. "McCain's Quiet Resurgence." The Courant 7 Nov. 2007. 12 Nov. 2007
.
Dougherty, Jon E. "John McCain: Environmental Activist?" NewsMax. 14 Apr. 2007. 6 Nov. 2007
.
"John McCain 2008 Presidential Candidates." WashingtonPost.Com. 16 Sept. 2007. 6 Nov. 2007
.
Leibovich, Mark. "Fall From the Top Lands McCain in Comfort Zone." New York Times 7 Oct. 2007. 10 Nov. 2007
.
"McCain: on the Issues." McCain. 7 Aug. 2007. 7 Nov. 2007
.
"U.S. Senator John McCain." Senate.Gov. 6 June 2006. 7 Nov. 2007
.
"U.S. Senator John McCain." Senate.Gov. 6 June 2006. 7 Nov. 2007
.
Walsh, Kenneth T. "The Hot-Tempered Candidate." U.S. News 27 May 2007. 12 Nov. 2007
.
Woodward, Calvin. "McCain's WMD is a Mouth That Won'T Quit." Washington Post 4 Nov. 2007. 9 Nov. 2007
.