John McCain

American politician and military officer (1936–2018)

John Sidney McCain III (born August 29, 1936) was an American politician. He was a United States Senator from Arizona. McCain was the Republican Party's candidate in the 2008 United States presidential election. McCain married businesswoman Cindy McCain in 1980.

John McCain
John McCain's official Senate portrait, taken in 2009
Official portrait, 2009
United States Senator
from Arizona
Assumed office
January 3, 1987; 37 years ago (1987-01-03)
Preceded byBarry Goldwater
Succeeded byJon Kyl
Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee
Assumed office
January 3, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-01-03)
Preceded byCarl Levin
Succeeded byJim Inhofe
Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Assumed office
January 3, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-01-03)
Preceded byBen Nighthorse Campbell
Succeeded byByron Dorgan
Assumed office
January 3, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-01-03)
Preceded byDaniel Inouye
Succeeded byBen Nighthorse Campbell
Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee
Assumed office
January 3, 2003; 21 years ago (2003-01-03)
Preceded byFritz Hollings
Succeeded byTed Stevens
Assumed office
January 20, 2001; 23 years ago (2001-01-20)
Preceded byFritz Hollings
Succeeded byFritz Hollings
Assumed office
January 3, 1997; 27 years ago (1997-01-03)
Preceded byLarry Pressler
Succeeded byFritz Hollings
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona's 1st district
Assumed office
January 3, 1983; 41 years ago (1983-01-03)
Preceded byJohn Jacob Rhodes
Succeeded byJohn Jacob Rhodes III
Personal details
Born
John Sidney McCain III

(1936-08-29) August 29, 1936 (age 87)
Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, U.S.
Resting placeUnited States Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Children7, including Meghan
MotherRoberta Wright
FatherJohn S. McCain Jr.
RelativesJoe McCain (brother)
EducationUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
Signature
WebsiteSenate website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1958–present
Rank Captain
Battles/warsVietnam War (POW)
Awards

McCain's father and grandfather had been Admirals in the United States Navy. His great-great-grandfather was a slave owner in Mississippi.[1] He served as a naval aviator during the Vietnam War. When his plane was shot down, he was captured by the North Vietnamese military. He was a prisoner of war with Colonel and future Washington State Senator Leo K. Thorsness for more than five years. During that time, he was tortured.

Politics change

In 1982, McCain was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Arizona. In 1987, he became a U.S. Senator for Arizona. In 2000, McCain tried to be the Republican Party candidate for President of the United States, but George W. Bush was chosen. In 2008, he was chosen as the Republican candidate. His running mate was Sarah Palin. He opposed several foreign policies of the Obama administration. On November 4, 2008, he lost to Barack Obama.

McCain was popular for his support of the Arab Spring, protests and uprisings inside the Arab World, and protests outside those regions like many Russian protests. He said that the recent protests were worldwide and he encouraged intervention in the Syrian civil war.

Health change

In July 2017, McCain under went surgery to remove a blood clot, causing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to delay a vote on the Better Care Reconciliation act to replace Obamacare.[2] On July 19, 2017, it was announced McCain had glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.[3]

On April 15, 2018, he underwent surgery for an infection complicated by diverticulitis and the following day was reported to be in stable condition.[4]

On August 24, 2018, McCain's family announced that he was stopping treatment for his brain cancer.[5] McCain died the next day at his home in Cornville, Arizona, four days before his 82nd birthday.[6]

Legacy change

After McCain's death, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced that he would introduce a resolution to rename the Russell Senate Office Building after McCain.[7]

References change

  1. "The Legacy of the McCain Name". The Wall Street Journal. 2008-10-16.
  2. Mattingly, Phil et al. "McConnell delays health care vote while McCain recovers from surgery", CNN (July 16, 2017).
  3. Scutti, Susan (July 19, 2017). "Sen. John McCain had aggressive brain tumor surgically removed". CNN.
  4. Samuels, Brett (April 16, 2018). "McCain recovering after surgery for infection". The Hill. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  5. Wagner, John; Sullivan, Sean; Kane, Paul (August 24, 2018). "Sen. John McCain, battling brain cancer, is discontinuing medical treatment, family says". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  6. Stephen Collinson. "John McCain, senator and former presidential candidate, dies at 81". CNN. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  7. Emily Tillett (August 26, 2018). "Schumer proposes renaming Russell Senate Office Building for John McCain". CBS News.