John McCain

Party: Republican

Age: 73

Job: U.S. senator from Arizona.

Born in Coco Solo Naval Air Station, Panama Canal Zone

Lives: Phoenix

Web site: www.johnmccain.com

Job history past 10 years:
U.S. Navy 1958-81. Member of Congress since 1983.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
U.S. representative for Arizona's 1st District 1983-87. U.S. senator from Arizona 1987-present.

Other civic experience or community service:
U.S. Navy aviator and officer, 1958-81. (Prisoner of war in Vietnam 1967-73.)

1) What should be the U.S. course of action in Iraq?
Opposes scheduling a troop withdrawal, saying latest strategy is succeeding. Supported decision to go to war, but was early critic of the manner in which administration prosecuted it. Was key backer of the troop increase. Willing to have permanent U.S. peacekeeping forces in Iraq.
On Afghanistan, favors unspecified boost in U.S. forces.
[Associated Press]

2) How would you improve our educational system?
He is not proposing a federal voucher program that would provide public money for private school tuition, in contrast to his proposed $5 billion voucher plan in 2000. Only proposes expansion of District of Columbia's voucher program. Sees No Child Left Behind law as vehicle for increasing opportunities for parents to choose schools. Proposes more money for community college education.
[Associated Press]

3) What should the U.S. do regarding climate change and global warming?
Broke with President Bush on global warming. Led Senate effort to cap greenhouse gas emissions. Favors plan that would see greenhouse gas emissions cut by 66 percent by 2050.
[Associated Press]

4) How would you get affordable health care to more Americans?
$2,500 refundable tax credit for individuals, $5,000 for families, to make health insurance more affordable. No mandate for universal coverage. In gaining the tax credit, workers could not deduct the portion of their workplace health insurance paid by their employers.
[Associated Press]

5) What energy policy should the U.S. pursue?
Favors increased offshore drilling and building 45 nuclear power reactors by 2030. Crystal Benton, speaking for McCain, said he proposes no federal spending to help in construction of the plants. McCain believes the goal can be achieved with loan guarantees in existing law, with resolution of the impasse over waste disposal and with financial advantages the industry would have as a zero-emissions power source under his cap and trade program, she said. McCain opposes drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Proposed suspending the 18-cent a gallon federal gasoline tax but idea got no traction. Global warming plan would increase energy costs.
[Associated Press]

6) How would you change national tax policy?
Pledged not to raise taxes, then equivocated, saying nothing can be ruled out in negotiating compromises to keep Social Security solvent. Twice opposed Bush's tax cuts, at first because he said they were tilted to the wealthiest and again because of the unknown costs of Iraq war. Now says those tax cuts, expiring in 2010, should be permanent. Proposes cutting corporate tax rate to 25 percent. Promises balance budget in first term, says that is unlikely in his first year.
[Associated Press]