John McCain in The Associated Press
On Principles & Values:
Denounces “Swift Boat Vets” ads as dishonest
John McCain, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, called an ad criticizing John Kerry’s military service “dishonest and dishonorable” and urged the White House on today to condemn it as well. “It was the same kind of deal that was pulled on me,” McCain
said, referring to his bitter primary fight with Bush.The 60-second ad by a group called “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” accuses Kerry of lying about his decorated Vietnam War record and betraying his fellow veterans by later opposing the conflict.
McCain said he’s speaking out against the anti-Kerry ad because he believes it’s bad for the political system. “It reopens all the old wounds of the Vietnam War, which I spent the last 35 years trying to heal,” he said. “None of these individuals served
on the boat Kerry commanded. Many of his crew have testified to his courage under fire. I think John Kerry served honorably in Vietnam.
A Bush spokesperson said, ”The Bush campaign never has and will never question John Kerry’s service in Vietnam.“
Source: Ron Fournier, Associated Press in Denver Post
Aug 5, 2004
On Education:
Against nationally imposed standards & funding strings
Q: Should federal money be linked to how well students perform on national or statewide tests? A: I do not favor nationally imposed standards or federal funding strings. State and local education agencies should be responsible for developing & enforcing
high academic standards. I don’t believe we should penalize students by taking away limited education dollars according to federal dictates. Such strings would invariably require states to spend even more money on federally imposed bureaucratic
requirements-money that would be better spent in the classroom. I propose sending education funding directly to classrooms rather than having it siphoned off by federal and state bureaucracies. If this funding flows to classrooms that continue to fail,
the state should have the authority to allow students to use that funding directly for programs that best meet their academic needs. Empowering parents and students through educational choice and competition is the surest path to academic excellence.
Source: Associated Press
Feb 23, 2000
On Civil Rights:
Confederate flag is a “symbol of heritage”
[Regarding flying the Confederate flag at the South Carolina Statehouse,] McCain said last week that many in South Carolina view the flag as a “symbol of heritage.”
That phrase is used by some who want the flag to continue flying over the Statehouse.
Source: Holly Ramer, Associated Press
Jan 16, 2000
On Budget & Economy:
Distribute surplus: 23% tax cuts; 62% Social Security
McCain says he would dedicate just 23% of [the federal budget surplus] to a tax-cutting plan. For the rest of the surplus, McCain says 62% would bolster Social Security, 10% would go to Medicare, and 5% would pay down the
national debt. “John McCain has never voted for a tax increase, but he thinks saving Social Security is the issue,” McCain’s campaign manager said.
Source: Associated Press, in The Enterprise (Brockton MA), p. A9
Jan 4, 2000
On Foreign Policy:
Russia: Sanctions until Putin exits Chechnya
McCain says acting Russian President Vladimir Putin should be urged to end the conflict with Chechen militants under threat of sanctions, as issue he would talk about “every day” as president. “I’d state unequivocally that there would be no more US
Export-Import Bank loans, that the US would not support any furhter IMF funding until this thing is brought to some kind of reasonable conclusion,” he said.
Source: Associated Press, in The Enterprise (Brockton MA), p. A9
Jan 4, 2000
On Education:
Enlist retirees for tutoring
McCain wants to create a pool of military veterans, retirees and others who would tutor students in math, science and English. “You really need to have a lot more people helping kids get their education,” McCain said. Tutors can help reinforce
the message that education is important and give students the support they need to succeed, McCain said. If tutors aren’t available in some neighborhoods, the Internet may be able to link them with students, he said.
Source: Associated Press
Nov 22, 1999
On Civil Rights:
Opposed to video gambling, but leave it to states
McCain said Arizona’s lottery, like the one envisioned in South Carolina, helps pay for education. “I personally would oppose video poker, but I would leave that up to the state of South Carolina,” he said. “The lottery is a little closer but I don’t
think anyone should have any doubt about the addictive effects of video poker.”
Source: Bruce Smith, Associated Press
Sep 4, 1999
On Civil Rights:
Flying Confederate flag should be left to states
McCain said the controversy over the Confederate flag flying above the South Carolina Statehouse is an issue for the state’s voters.
Source: Bruce Smith, Associated Press
Sep 4, 1999
On Homeland Security:
More base closings; $4B wasted
McCain said he wants to strengthen the nation’s defense and, in so doing, military bases will have to be closed. McCain said there is no way to insure additional bases won’t be closed anywhere. “I can’t protect any particular state,” he said. “We need to
close bases. But 5 years after base closure there is more revenue coming into the state than when it was a military installation.” McCain said the nation is spending about $4 billion a year on bases it does not need.
Source: Bruce Smith, Associated Press
Sep 4, 1999
On Abortion:
Wants Roe vs. Wade made irrelevant, but would not repeal it
McCain said, “I’d love to see a point where Roe vs. Wade is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe vs. Wade, which would then
force women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations.” A spokesman said that McCain “has a 17-year voting record of supporting efforts to overturn Roe vs. Wade. He does that currently, and will continue to do that as president.”
Source: Ron Fournier, Associated Press
Aug 24, 1999
On Abortion:
Opposes partial-birth abortions & public financing
In a letter to the National Right to Life Committee, McCain detailed a long anti-abortion record, including his sponsorship of the effort to overturn President Clinton’s veto of a bill banning late-term procedures called “partial birth” abortions. He
also has opposed public financing of abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or a threat to the mother’s life.
Source: Ron Fournier, Associated Press
Aug 24, 1999
On Gun Control:
Ban cheap guns; require safety locks; for gun show checks
McCain favors outlawing cheaply made handguns called Saturday night specials, and favors mandating safety locks on certain guns. He said he is intrigued by new technology that electronically identifies a person handling a gun, allowing only the owner to
fire it. McCain rallied Senate Republicans behind a Democratic measure requiring background checks at gun shows.
Source: Scott Lindlaw, Associated Press
Aug 17, 1999
On Civil Rights:
Indian gambling OK; lottery is not
McCain urged everyone to read the latest national report on gambling, which warns of its consequences. McCain is a longtime defender of American Indian tribal casinos and supported legislation in 1995 that paved the way for gambling “cruises to nowhere.”
However, McCain also warned of the consequences associated with gambling. And state-run lotteries aren’t any better, he said. “Who buys lottery tickets?” he asked. “When I’m in a Circle K, I know who buys lottery tickets. The lowest income.”
Source: Associated Press
Aug 3, 1999
On Homeland Security:
Raise military pay to avoid military draft
McCain opposes reviving a military draft even though enlistments are down and the services could be forced to return to selective conscription if they can’t fill the ranks with higher pay and improved benefits. The modern military requires technical
skills to operate today’s sophisticated weapons, and it takes a long time to acquire those skills, McCain said. McCain blamed Congress for the shortage, saying it has failed to provide the necessary funding to raise military pay & benefits.
Source: Associated Press
Aug 3, 1999
On Homeland Security:
Military personnel on food stamps is a national disgrace
The military is not seen as an attractive option, McCain said. McCain told the local Rotary Club that there are 11,000 military personnel on food stamps. “That’s a national disgrace,” he said.
Source: Associated Press
Aug 3, 1999
On Homeland Security:
Feds should pay for veterans’ health care benefits
McCain said the federal government must provide veterans’ health care benefits.
Source: Will Lester, Associated Press
Jul 31, 1999
On Education:
$5B program for 3-year test of school vouchers
McCain proposed a school voucher program to offer education opportunities for disadvantaged children, paid for by eliminating $5.4 billion worth of subsidies for ethanol, sugar, gas and oil. Under McCain’s three-year test program, disadvantaged children
would receive vouchers worth $2,000 a year. The money would be used to offset the costs of attending any school chosen by the student or parents. “We shouldn’t have special interest giveaways at the expense of our neediest children,” McCain said.
Source: Mike Glover, Associated Press
Jul 29, 1999
On Jobs:
Ethanol subsidy is outdated; use funds for education
McCain proposed a school voucher program to offer education opportunities for disadvantaged children. He suggested paying for it by eliminating $5.4 billion worth of subsidies for ethanol, sugar, gas and oil. “We shouldn’t have special interest giveaways
at the expense of our neediest children,” McCain said, adding that the ethanol program was “simply an outdated subsidy for corn producers.”
Source: Mike Glover, Associated Press
Jul 29, 1999
On Government Reform:
Soft money makes gov’t work for special interests
McCain called for campaign finance reform, saying no programs can be achieved without first limiting the influence of special interest groups. Specifically, he wants to abolish soft money, the unlimited contributions made by corporations and interest
groups to party committees to influence campaigns. “Until we abolish soft money, Americans will never have a government that works as hard for them as it does the special interests.”
Source: Matthew Fordahl, Associated Press
Jul 7, 1999
On Technology:
Telecommuncations Act was an influence-peddling scheme
McCain said the Telecommunications Act of 1996 - which he opposed on final passage - has resulted in increased cable TV rates because consumers were not represented when it was being negotiated. “It is nothing less than an elaborate influence-peddling
scheme in which both parties conspire to stay in office by selling the country to the highest bidder,” he said.
Source: Matthew Fordahl, Associated Press
Jul 7, 1999
On Abortion:
Nominate justices based on experience, and values
On the issue of nominating Supreme Court justices based on an abortion litmus-test, “McCain has said that he will nominate justices based on their experience, and those who share his values,” said a spokesman.
Source: Associated Press
Jun 14, 1999
On Education:
Internet access, with filters, at every school & library
McCain seeks high-speed Internet access for every school, but suggested requiring filtering software for all public school and library computers as a way to keep children from potentially harmful Internet sites.
Source: Associated Press
Jun 14, 1999
On Education:
Merit pay & competency testing for teachers
Also promoted merit-based pay for teachers, calling higher teacher salaries an “urgent necessity.” But he added that teachers should be tested for competence periodically and fired if they don’t meet certain standards.
Source: Associated Press
Jun 14, 1999
On Education:
Tax-funded vouchers for private schools or charter schools
McCain’s platform calls for a school voucher program that would give tax money to middle- and lower-income families to send their children to private schools. And he praised charter schools - publicly funded schools that often serve a specialized
curriculum and operate free from many government mandates.
Source: Associated Press
Jun 14, 1999
On Technology:
Internet access, with filters, at every school & library
McCain seeks high-speed Internet access for every school, but suggested requiring filtering software for all public school and library computers as a way to keep children from potentially harmful Internet sites.
Source: (cross-ref to Education) Associated Press
Jun 14, 1999
On Foreign Policy:
Inaction on spying led to Chinese nuclear improvement
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., long a critic of President Clinton’s China policy, said the [Cox Report] will prompt questions about why the administration did not do more to intervene.“I find it troubling that too little action was taken too late by this
administration, resulting in the fact that the Chinese may have been able to build nuclear weapons comparable to ours,” McCain said.
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
Page last updated: Feb 15, 2019