Biography of John McCain. McCain and the Campaign Finance Problem

American politician, member of the Republican Party John McCain (also known as Senator McCain) was a prominent figure on the world stage. This man was famous for his tough stance towards Russia, as well as his uncompromising attitude towards abortion and torture in American prisons.

Childhood and youth

The biography of John McCain is a story about trials, war and incredible fortitude. John Sydney McCain (this is the full name of the politician) was born on August 29, 1936. McCain's father and grandfather were both military men, both of whom were promoted to admiral in the United States Navy. McCain's grandfather participated in the fighting in the Pacific Ocean, while his father served as a submarine officer.

It is not surprising that the fate of the boy was a foregone conclusion: John enters the US Navy Academy in Annapolis. McCain studied without interest. The future politician was occupied with subjects devoted to literature, history and public administration. Otherwise, John's success was mediocre. In addition, the young cadet often went against the will of his superiors and did not particularly honor the internal charter of the academy, for which he repeatedly received reprimands.

In 1958, McCain graduated from an educational institution, showing almost the worst result among his graduation. The future senator continues his studies at the flight school. Two years later, John becomes an attack pilot and remains in the naval aviation. The fame of a scorcher was firmly entrenched behind him - McCain still neglected the rules while flying the plane. Perhaps this was one of the reasons for the trials that John had to face later.

John McCain with his parents and younger brother

In the spring of 1967, McCain was sent to serve in Vietnam. He has more than 20 combat operations to his credit. On October 26 of the same year, the luck turned away from the young pilot: his plane was shot down by the Vietnamese military, and McCain was captured. The wounded McCain is tortured, seeking a confession of guilt, he is beaten. Numerous interrogations and tortures greatly undermined McCain's health: due to the fractures he received, he still does not fully control his hands.

We must pay tribute to the endurance and fortitude of the young military man: when, at the next interrogation, John was forced to give the names of his colleagues under torture, he, in a mockery of the Vietnamese authorities, listed the names of the players of the American football team Green Bay Packers.

In 1968, the Vietnamese authorities became aware that they had in their hands the son of a high-ranking military man. John was offered to be released, but the future senator said that he would do this only if the release was granted to the rest of the soldiers who were captured before him. Five and a half years continued life in captivity. McCain was released in 1973.

Politics

Returning to his homeland and recovering from his trials, John begins to take an interest in politics. In 1982, McCain represented Arizona on behalf of the Republican Party. Two years later, John is re-elected to Congress. As before, McCain is true to himself and is not afraid to go against the established rules: the politician harshly criticizes the party line and often turns out to be right.

In 1986, John McCain became a senator with 60% of the vote from Arizona. Until 2004, he was re-elected to this post every 6 years. In 2008, the Republican Party nominates McCain as a candidate for the presidency. However, McCain loses the election, and becomes the head of the United States.

There was a scandal associated with this election campaign: there was information in the press that John McCain's headquarters turned to the representatives of the Russian Federation at the UN with a request to provide material support for McCain's election campaign. The Russian side responded to this with the following press release:

“We have received a letter from Senator John McCain requesting a financial contribution to his presidential campaign. In this regard, we would like to reiterate that neither Russian officials, nor the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN, nor the Russian government finance political activities in foreign countries.”

It turned out that there was an error in the automatic program responsible for mailing, and the letter was sent to the wrong address, McCain's representatives explained the incident.

McCain was known as a harsh critic of the leadership of the Russian Federation, the author of many caustic comments about Russia, a fierce supporter of the European integration of Georgia, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics. In addition, the politician did not hesitate to criticize the actions of Barack Obama and other US officials.

McCain appeared on the screen in the film about ("Interview with Putin"), along with, and other major political figures.

Personal life

McCain's personal life has developed quite happily. A prominent handsome military man with a height of 170 cm has never been left without the attention of the opposite sex. The first chosen one of the politician was Carol Shepp, a model. The couple married in 1965, in this marriage John had a daughter, Sidney, and McCain also adopted Carol's two children from his first marriage.

Family life was cloudless, however, after returning from Vietnam, John filed for divorce. The ordeal changed McCain's character, and it became difficult for Carol to get along with him. Nevertheless, John took full responsibility for the termination of the relationship, leaving all the property to his ex-wife and children. Moreover, he paid for the treatment and rehabilitation of Carol, who had been in a serious car accident a few years earlier.

McCain's second marriage to Cindy Lou Hensley, who worked as a teacher, was registered in 1980. This marriage gave the senator two sons, John and James, as well as a daughter, Megan McCain. McCain's children followed in their father's footsteps and chose a military career. Also in 1991, the couple adopted a little orphan from Bangladesh.

The girl needed treatment, and the McCain couple did everything possible to improve her health. Two years later, John and Cindy adopted the girl, giving her the name Bridget. John McCain's family is constantly growing: Senator McCain already has 4 grandchildren. Photos of the happy grandfather often appeared in the press.

Death

In July 2017, the world flew around. The 80-year-old politician was diagnosed with brain cancer. John McCain, according to his representatives, was not going to give up and was preparing to endure this test. Twitter of McCain's family and friends exploded with wishes for health and endurance, and Barack Obama even called McCain "America's hero" in his message.

In the last weeks of his life, the senator made a strong-willed decision to refuse treatment in order to spend the rest of his life with his family and friends. On August 26, 2018, he spent his last hours surrounded by his family. The American press called McCain "the last lion of the Senate", whose death will be "deeply felt", because he "faithfully served the United States for 60 years."

Achievements and awards

"Legion of Honor"
bronze star
Medal "Purple Heart"
Distinguished Service Cross
POW medal
National Defense Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Order of Victory named after St. George (Georgia, 2006)
Order of the National Hero (Georgia, January 11, 2010)
Grand Officer of the Order of the Three Stars (Latvia, October 12, 2005)
Order of the Holy Prince Vladimir I degree (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, February 3, 2015)
Order of Freedom (Ukraine, August 22, 2016) - for a significant personal contribution to strengthening the international authority of the Ukrainian state, popularizing its historical heritage and modern achievements, and on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

Education: United States Naval Academy Website: mccain.senate.gov Awards:

Early years and military career

Family

John Sidney McCain the third was born on August 29 at the US Air Force Base "Coco Solo" near the city of Colon in Panama (at that time the US leased the Panama Canal Zone). McCain's father, John Sidney "Jack" McCain, Jr. (-), was a US Naval officer who served in World War II (as a submarine officer) and completed his service with the rank of four-star admiral. Awarded with Silver and Bronze Stars. Mother - Roberta McCain, nee Wright (born in). John McCain's grandfather, John S. McCain, also held the rank of four-star admiral, was one of the founders of the carrier-based strategy of the US Navy, and participated in battles in the Pacific theater of World War II.

As a child, John traveled a lot with his parents due to the frequent transfers of his father on business (New London, Connecticut; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, other military bases in the Pacific. At the end of World War II, the McCain family moved to Virginia , where John entered St. Stephen's School in the city of Alexandria, having studied there until.V - McCain attended a private Episcopal school, where he achieved particular success in wrestling... Due to his father's frequent moves, in total, McCain studied at about 20 different schools. In childhood, he was distinguished by an energetic character, irascibility and aggressiveness, the desire to win in competition with peers.

From childhood, McCain belonged to the Episcopal Church of the United States, but moved to the Baptists (the Baptist Church of Phoenix in Arizona, which is part of the Southern Baptist Convention, which adheres to the conservative views of the largest Protestant denomination in the United States), to which his second wife belongs.

Education, early military service, and first marriage

Following in his father's footsteps, after leaving school, McCain entered the Naval Academy in Annapolis, was released in 1958. Every year, John received at least 100 reprimands and was frequently reprimanded for breach of discipline and failure to comply with military regulations, from unpolished boots to inappropriate remarks about superiors. At the same time, with a height of 1 meter 70 cm and a weight of 58 kg, he distinguished himself as a capable lightweight boxer. McCain only got good grades in the subjects that interested him: history, English literature, and public administration. Nevertheless, out of 899 graduates in 1958, John McCain scored 894th.

McCain (bottom right) with the pilots of his squadron

Involvement in the Vietnam War

Captivity

The Vietnamese pull the downed McCain from the lake in the center of Hanoi

During the interrogation, in accordance with the American military regulations, he gave only brief information about himself - by the name of the Vietnamese established that they had captured the son of a high-ranking American officer. After that, he was given medical assistance, and his capture was officially announced. He spent six weeks in the hospital, during this period a French television journalist was admitted to him, he was visited by prominent Vietnamese figures who considered McCain a representative of the American military-political elite. In December 1967, having lost 26 kg and turned gray (he later received the nickname "White Tornado"), McCain was transferred to a prisoner of war camp in Hanoi, where his comrades took care of him.

Political career

congressman

With the active support of his father-in-law, McCain got involved in the political life of the United States and already in November was elected a member of the US House of Representatives from the first constituency of Arizona as a Republican. Two years later, he was easily re-elected for another two-year term. McCain generally supported the political and economic course of President Ronald Reagan. However, he voted against the presence of US Marines in Lebanon, who were part of the multinational force, as he saw no prospects for a US military presence in that country. This vote, which went against the interests of the Republican administration, is associated with the beginning of McCain's reputation as an individualist politician. A month after this vote, American Marines suffered significant casualties in the bombing of the Beirut barracks, proving McCain right.

During his tenure in the House of Representatives, McCain specialized in Indian issues and participated in the passage of the Indian Economic Development Act, signed in. That same year, he visited Vietnam for the first time since his captivity, along with the legendary journalist Walter Cronkite.

Senator

Since 1987, McCain has served on the Senate Armed Services, Commerce, and Indian Affairs committees. In - and -2007 he was chairman of the Indian affairs committee, in 1997- and -2005 - chairman of the trade committee. Since January 2007 - Senior Minority Representative on the Armed Services Committee.

McCain and the Campaign Finance Problem

At the beginning of his tenure in the Senate, McCain was involved in a high-profile political scandal related to the activities of the banker Charles Keating, who was one of his political sponsors in 1982-1987 (in total, Keating financially supported the election campaigns of five US senators - the Keating Five , ). In addition, McCain and his family made at least nine trips at Keating's expense - he later returned their cost, which was more than $ 13 thousand. When Keating began to have financial problems, McCain repeatedly met with financial regulators (overseeing US savings banks) in order to to help Keating. Support from McCain, like other senators, did not lead to any results, except for moral damage to them (later Keating's financial company went bankrupt, he himself spent five years in prison, although he was able to pay off most of the victims). Although McCain was not accused of illegal actions, the Senate ethics committee reprimanded him in connection with this story; he himself admitted the fallacy of his conduct in this matter.

After the Keating affair, McCain began to actively criticize the influence of big money on American politics. By 1994, he, along with Senator Russell Finegold (D-Wisconsin), drafted a bill to limit political campaign contributions to corporations and other organizations - including in order to avoid a repeat of situations like the Keating case. The McCain-Feingold bill met with strong opposition from prominent figures in both major US parties, but met with support in the media and the public. In 1995, the first version of this legislation was introduced in the Senate, but failed the following year, the same thing happened again in 1998 and 1999. The McCain-Feingold Act was passed only in (it became known as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act) after the scandalous case of Enron, increased public attention to the problem of corruption. The legislation is considered McCain's major accomplishment during his senatorial career; he also raised his profile as a "political maverick".

John McCain was very fond of the song "Take a chance on me" by ABBA. He promised that if he won, "Take a chance on me" would sound in all the elevators of the White House. He is also known to listen to the song at high volume before important public appearances. He even approached the members of ABBA for permission to use the song as their official campaign anthem, but the group asked for too much money. It's possible that ABBA just didn't want their music to be associated with the Republicans.

Other aspects of activity in the Senate

In the early 1990s, McCain, along with another Vietnam veteran, Senator John Kerry, worked on the problem of American servicemen missing in Vietnam, in connection with which he repeatedly visited the country again. McCain's activities contributed to the normalization of US-Vietnamese relations. During the same period, his relationship with Kerry improved - McCain previously perceived him sharply negatively due to Kerry's participation in the anti-war movement after returning from Vietnam.

As chairman of the trade committee, McCain advocated increasing taxes on cigarettes to fund anti-tobacco campaigns, reduce the number of teenage smokers, increase health research, and offset health care costs associated with the effects of smoking. At the same time, he received the support of the Democratic administration of Bill Clinton, but broke up with the majority of senators from his own party - as a result, his initiative was not implemented.

Fidel Castro spoke very harshly about McCain in a number of articles specially dedicated to him under the general title "Republican Candidate", where, in particular, he refuted McCain's claims that Cubans tortured American prisoners of war in Vietnam.

One of his pre-election proposals, McCain announced the need to create a "new UN, without Russia and China", in his opinion, it is necessary to create a new organization that would determine the policy of the "democratic part of the world community" - it could be the "League of Democracies", uniting in within its framework "more than a hundred democracies" .

Political views

McCain is in favor of strengthening the US military potential, increasing the size of the US military and for the deployment of a missile defense system (ABM). In his view, "an effective missile defense system is critical as an insurance against potential threats posed by possible strategic rivals such as Russia and China."

He is a supporter of the liberalization of immigration laws (with some restrictions) and action to prevent global warming - in these matters, his position diverges from the point of view of the conservative majority of the Republican electorate. Unlike most party colleagues, he voted in the Senate against a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage, and in favor of federal funding for a stem cell research program. At the same time, his position on a number of other iconic issues - such as abortion, the death penalty, welfare issues - is distinctly conservative.

McCain and V. V. Putin's trolling

John McCain is known for his extremely negative attitude towards the strengthening, in his opinion, of the authoritarian regime in Russia and the policies of the second Russian President Vladimir Putin; according to the Russian newspaper Izvestia, McCain is sometimes referred to as the "chief

Education

Until the age of thirteen he studied at St. Stephen's School.

From fifteen to eighteen he attended a private episcopal school.

In general, he studied at twenty different schools - this is due to the frequent relocations of his military father.

At twenty-two he graduated from the US Naval Academy, a carrier-based pilot.

Two years later, he graduated from a flight school as a naval aviation attack pilot.

Motherland, personal life

He was a diligent and exemplary student. Those who knew him in his youth characterize him as an energetic, quick-tempered person. He strove always and in everything to win in rivalry with his peers.

While studying at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, he often received reprimands. He has more than a hundred of them. He was repeatedly punished for violating military regulations and indiscipline. The reasons are very different: from unpolished boots to a shine to unflattering sayings addressed to the leadership.

Favorite subjects during training - English literature, history, public administration.

Speaking of the senator in his youth, it is worth noting that he had a reputation as a "party-goer". I drove a Chevrolet Corvette. His girlfriend was a stripper nicknamed "Mary the Flame of Florida".

The Arizan state senator himself would later say of himself that he wasted his youth and health in vain. There were many mistakes that he considers irreparable, but all this is in the past.

From an early age, John had an attachment to the US Episcopal Church. At seventy-one he becomes a supporter of the Baptist Church. This is due to the fact that his second wife belongs to the Baptists.

His choice - naval aviation - is connected with the passions of his father and grandfather. McCain's father is a US naval officer, a four-star admiral. My grandfather also had such a rank. Both are participants in World War II.

Then there was a move to Virginia. Having become a military pilot, he skillfully controls the aircraft.

Once in Texas, during another training session, the engine of his plane broke down. An emergency landing followed. Luckily, he received minor injuries.

At twenty-eight, he met Carol Shepp, who is a year younger than him. The model from Philadelphia has already been married before. The first wife raised two children from her first marriage. McCain became their father. He adopted three-year-old Doug and five-year-old Andy. The couple signed in July 1965.

Four months later, when the aircraft landed, the engine stalled. McCain ejected. The plane crashed. I really wanted to transfer to a military position. The instructor did not suit him.

Literally a year after these events, the couple had a daughter, Sydney. And then he was transferred to the aircraft carrier Forrestal. Military service continued on the attack aircraft.

Then he was married to Cindy Lou Hensley. The marriage took place in May 1980. From her father, she inherited a large business - the beer trade.

He divorced his first wife a month before this event. Returning from captivity, McCain did not want to live with a woman who, two years after his stay in Vietnamese detention, got into a terrible car accident, as a result of which she lost her attractiveness.

Later he reproached himself for this offense. He referred to selfishness and immaturity, as well as the consequences of Vietnamese captivity. But he didn't just leave his wife. Left her two houses: Florida and Virginia. Paid for the treatment of a sick ex-wife.

Children from the second marriage: Megan (34 years old), son John Sidney IV (32 years old), son James (30 years old.)

When John Sidney was fifty-five, he became the father of a three-month-old foster girl who needed to be treated.

Career and social activities

1960 - service in the Caribbean.

When he was thirty-one years old, his next transfer took place - to the Pacific Ocean. Becomes a member of Operation Rolling Thunder.

July 29, 1967 almost died. The incident occurred while he was at the helm of the Forrestal. Opposite his plane was an F-4, from which Zuni, already known for its unreliability, suddenly took off. This rocket took off spontaneously. There was a fire, and McCain almost died. He was wounded in the legs and chest.

The fire spread to other planes. Explosion after explosion sounded - the bombs suspended from them began to explode. More than twenty aircraft were irretrievably lost. Work is underway to clarify the versions of the accident. According to one of them, the rocket hit the fuel tank of John's aircraft. On the other - to the next one. As a result of the disaster, one hundred and thirty-four people died. One hundred and sixty-one sailors are wounded.

McCain's next transfer was a squadron to the aircraft carrier Oriskani. On it, he made twenty-two sorties.

In 1967, his plane, which took off as part of a group of twenty aircraft, was hit by an S-75 anti-aircraft missile. The pilot ejected, but broke his leg, both hands, was taken prisoner.

Vietnamese soldiers heartlessly beat all the prisoners, including the wounded McCain. Still admitted to the hospital. Treated for almost a month and a half. As a result of being in captivity, the prisoner lost twenty-six kilograms. At thirty-one, his hair turned gray. Because of this, he later received the nickname White Tornado.

In prison he was in solitary confinement. Meanwhile, my father was appointed commander in chief of the US Pacific Fleet. Vietnamese authorities offered to release McCain. But it was stated that he would agree only if the military, captured before him, would be free.

Every two hours the prisoner was severely beaten. But it was not possible to break the will in captivity. He fell ill with dysentery. Due to fractures and constant beatings, the poor fellow could not raise either one or the other arm above his head.

After his release, the pilot said that the warden who came to him in the morning demanded that the prisoner bow to him. The prisoner refused, and he beat him on the temple. Other Vietnamese were severely beaten, demanding secret information.

After one of the prisoners was released from captivity in 1969, he spoke about the torture to which American prisoners of war were subjected. And their handling has improved somewhat. At thirty-seven years after the signing of the peace accords, John Sidney McCain was released.

1974 - commander of the training squadron.

1981 - the captain of the first rank leaves the service, realizing that after suffering injuries he will not be able to become an admiral.

1987-2018 - U.S. Senator from Arizona. The American Time magazine included him several times in the top ten of the best American senators.

2015-2018 - Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Armed Forces.

At one time, the media were full of rumors about the "revival" of the South Stream project regarding the construction of a gas pipeline between Russia and Bulgaria. But in the end, information about the negotiations was not confirmed.

Twice fought for the presidency of the United States.

2000 - Lost to George W. Bush (McCain-Republican party system).

Eight years later - Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

At the age of seventy-three, he visited the prison block, where he had once been a prisoner for so long (here the Vietnamese authorities opened a museum).

A destroyer was named after the older and younger McCains. In 2017, a destroyer collided with an oil tanker. Five US sailors were injured.

In the same year, John McCain III was diagnosed with a terrible diagnosis - an incurable form of a brain tumor. During the year he unsuccessfully fought the disease.

On August 24, 2018, he refused to continue treatment, as the disease progressed. On the 25th, four days before his eighty-two birthday, he died.

Video

Watch an exclusive TSN interview with one of America's most influential politicians. Find out how the hawk of foreign policy aggressively criticized Russian President Putin. What did he say about the person of Donald Trump? Here is the best video about the legendary politician online.

John Sydney McCain III is an American Republican politician, a native of their military family and a true patriot of the United States. He went through the Vietnam War, was captured by the communists, after which he adhered to anti-communist (and subsequently anti-Russian) views all his life. He was a Senator from Arizona and ran for President twice (in 2000, he lost to George W. Bush, and in 2008, he lost to Barack Obama).

Childhood and youth of John McCain

John McCain was born into a military family. Both his father and his grandfather were four-star admirals in the US Navy. Both participated in the battles of the Second World War. My father fought as a submarine officer, and my grandfather took part in the battles in the Pacific Ocean.

John did not change the family tradition and entered the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. In 1958, after graduating from the academy, he became an officer in the naval aviation.

During his studies, the young man was interested in classes in public administration, history and English literature. In other subjects, John was not very diligent, often violated the charter and often spoke unflatteringly about his superiors. For all these "exploits" he annually received at least a hundred reprimands. He was fond of boxing, but did not want to become a professional athlete.

Among almost nine hundred graduates, John showed one of the worst results in academic performance. In 1958-1960, McCain studied at flight school, and upon graduation he became a naval attack aircraft pilot. John was considered an air reckless, he liked to spend time with strippers. McCain himself would later speak of this period of his life as a waste of youth and health.

John McCain: Vietnam War and Captivity

Since the spring of 1967, John has been taking part in the Vietnam War. He makes more than twenty sorties. On October 26, his plane was shot down. John ejected and nearly drowned when he fell into the lake. In the fall, he broke his leg and both arms. Got captured.

From August 1968 he was subjected to constant beatings. After 4 days of interrogation, he wrote a “confession” of his guilt, specifically using communist jargon, in order to show that the confession was “knocked out” under torture.

During interrogations, he received new fractures, due to which even today he cannot raise his hands above his head.

After the next torture that followed, McCain announced that he would give out the names of his colleagues and named the composition of the Green Bay Packers football team.

Rocketeer Trushechkin shot down McCain

In 1968, upon learning that McCain was the son of a high-ranking American military officer, the Vietnamese authorities offered to release him from captivity. John replied that he would agree to release only if all the American soldiers who had been captured before him were released.

McCain spent almost five and a half years in Vietnamese captivity and was released only in 1973.

Personal life of John McCain

McCain's first wife was model Carol Shepp, whom he married in 1965. After the birth of his daughter Sydney, John adopted his wife's two sons from his first marriage, Doug and Andy.

Returning home after captivity, John divorced his wife. He took full responsibility for the divorce. Gene left homes in Virginia and Florida. In addition, he continued to finance the treatment of his wife, who in 1969 was in a car accident.

In 1980, McCain married a second time. His chosen one was the teacher Cindy Lou Hensley, the daughter of a major beer businessman.

In his second marriage, John had two sons, John and James, daughter of Megan. In 1991, the couple adopted a little girl from Bangladesh who needed treatment. They named her Bridget and adopted her in 1993. Sons James and John went into the military. Today, McCain has four grandchildren.

Political views of John McCain

According to his views, McCain is one of the most zealous hawks. He was a supporter of the war to a victorious end in Iraq, but at the same time he took the initiative to prohibit the ill-treatment of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay.

He put forward the idea of creating a new organization instead of the UN, which would include about a hundred countries with a truly democratic system. There was no place for Russia and China on this McCain list.

Political career of John McCain

In 1982, McCain is included in political life and in the same year becomes the representative of Arizona in the Congress of the country from the Republican Party. Re-elected to Congress two years later. Often opposes the common party line, as, for example, in the case of the presence of US Marines in Lebanon. The explosion of the barracks in Beirut confirmed the correctness of McCain, who advocated the withdrawal of American troops from the country.

In 1986, from the same Arizona, John McCain was elected to the Senate. In elections, he receives about 60% of the vote.

In 1992, 1998, 2004 he was re-elected to the Senate with an even higher percentage of votes.

In 2000, he was a serious competitor to Bush Jr. in the Republican primaries.

In 2008, John McCain was nominated by the Republicans as a candidate for President of the United States, but lost the election to Barack Obama. However, he accepted the defeat with dignity and urged his electorate to follow the course of the new president.

John McCain awards

For military operations carried out in Vietnam, McCain was awarded a special Cross, Silver and Bronze Stars, Legion of Honor and Purple Heart medals.

John McCain on Putin, Lukashenko and Ukraine

Last years of life and death

John McCain remained a critic of the modern Russian leadership until the end of his life, advocated the Euro- and North Atlantic integration of the former Soviet republics, especially Georgia and Ukraine, and also criticized Obama for not taking a firm stand on the Syrian issue. He believed that the United States was obliged to increase its military potential and deploy a missile defense system as insurance against possible threats from Russia and China.

The politician was a supporter of the liberalization of US immigration laws and the legalization of same-sex marriage, but advocated a ban on abortion and against the abolition of the death penalty. Led a fierce fight for the prohibition of torture in American prisons.

On August 25, 2018, the senator passed away. The politician died at the age of 82 from helioblastoma - brain cancer. The tumor began to grow after eye surgery in the summer of 2017. Treatment was not possible due to McCain's age, as well as the size and location of the tumor, so he made the difficult decision and refused therapy.

US Senator John McCain, as a person, has become a kind of cliché in public politics, causing a programmed attitude and misunderstanding among ordinary citizens. But a smart person will still think, analyze and understand that the significance of a politician of such magnitude should not be underestimated. And it would be more correct to think about what exactly they show us and why. After all, it is bright, unusual and unpredictable behavior that attracts a lot of attention, and also allows you to "break through walls" through which composure and restraint cannot break through. But it is not so easy to understand such an abundance of available sources. Sites just with a bang give out any information for every taste and color. They do not disdain even such unconfirmed announcements as "Senator McCain is dead."

But let's try to sort everything out in order and approach the question: who is he, this emotional and not always tactful senator, with journalistic impartiality and meticulousness to details.

Senator John McCain: biography

The name of John McCain is no longer known to the first generation of Americans, although earlier it was more associated with the two previous generations of John McCain were famous for a successful military career. Both the father and grandfather of the current senator rose to the ranks of four-star admirals in the US Army. But with such high political attributes as US Senator John McCain, this name appears in history for the first time. But this is a little later. And first, at the US Air Force base in the Panama Canal zone, on August 29, 1936, little Johnny Jr. was born.

The manifestation of the extraordinary heredity of young Johnny was not long in coming. Although in a strange way he showed himself not in the abilities of the boy, but in his difficult character and just in the absolute absence of discipline inherent in the military. But the desire to be a leader, to crave constant victories, to be in the spotlight and success made the athletic boy seek self-realization in sports. For a self-centered, aggressive and dominating guy, wrestling has become the best sport. But even such opportunities could not satisfy the inner needs of a real fighter, so Johnny did not connect his further path with sports.

military family

The family and everyday life of the military admiral - Johnny's father, already speak for themselves a lot. Constant moving, a narrow and definite circle of contacts, imprints of position and army discipline, military camps and the absolute absence of a quiet family life could not but affect the formation of the child's personality. Psychologists believe that certain features of the formation of the child's psyche most clearly affect decision-making, prioritization, manifestations of features in the character traits and behavior of an adult. And the picture of the boy's family life is not the most calm and optimistic. And how does Senator McCain cope with this all his life? His biography without this early period would not be complete.

However, to say that the features of the experience gained in childhood will exclusively influence the entire adult life of a person will also be very far from the truth. After all, an adult is capable and simply obliged to work on himself, to engage in self-education. All this allows not only to overcome the negative manifestations of biological and acquired in childhood, but even turn them to your advantage and melt them into pluses on the way to achieving your goals. And for a man like Senator McCain, fortunately, this feature has already become quite inherent in a more mature age. Therefore, the explosiveness and aggression that are in the character of such a popular senator, in his youth were the cause of considerable troubles, but today they have acquired vivid, memorable features of a politician, and undoubtedly lead to success.

The beginning of a pilot's career

But in his youth, Johnny not only did not show hope for a good future, but also brought a lot of grief, worries, and often created the need to connect military ties and the authority of his father and grandfather, so as not to lose the chance to get a decent education. Therefore, he graduated from the Naval Academy with great difficulty. The young man falls under the most prestigious distribution. He becomes an officer and pilot of military aircraft on an aircraft carrier. Further training of pilots of this category should last another two and a half years. And if US Senator McCain left the details of the countless childhood adventures with his family and loved ones, then many unflattering facts are known from the subsequent period of his life. For example, sinking a military aircraft into the sea is no joke. But it’s also quite easy to get off - also a talent, more precisely, the father’s family support. This fact was the reason for the transfer of John to Europe, to a summer school for an attack pilot, but did not break the young man's career. And this is not the only oversight of the pilot. After three more such incidents (and each time with a successful ejection), McCain decides to ask for Vietnam.

This and similar well-known stories about McCain testify mainly to one thing - the turbulent youth of a young man of high position was carried out according to the principle "you need to try everything" and do not worry about anything. Of course, you can say that this is a waste of health and young years. But is it in vain? After all, in fact, this is a kind of youthful experience that allows a person to grow up and tame himself. Modest and less plentiful adventures are enough for some people only, and not enough for others and the whole world. And do not forget that it was impossible to do without female participation.

McCain's first marriage

Indulging in wide pleasures in the arms of the female representatives, not disdaining at the same time even some kind of occupation, the young officer nevertheless tried to settle down. At 28, he met Carol Shepp, a beautiful Philadelphia model, and a year later they were married. For Carol, it was already, and from her first marriage to classmate John, she had two sons, whom the future Senator McCain adopted. A year later, the newlyweds had a daughter - Sydney. But the scorcher by the age of thirty, having acquired the status of a loving spouse and father of the family, still did not want to cool down. Therefore, already in the next year, 1967, Johnny took part in as a pilot on an aircraft carrier.

Vietnam War

Again, there were no incidents. Well-wishers attribute the blame to Johnny, although official figures do not support this. But it is worth noting that the fire on the aircraft carrier, the death of 21 combat aircraft, as well as 134 crew members of the future senator were not hooked. However, the war cannot but take and break the lives of even such extraordinary personalities as US Senator McCain. His plane was shot down over Hanoi, and the pilot himself ended up in a POW prison for five years.

But the lucky star above John, or rather, the father-admiral again became the reason for a special attitude towards his son, even from the enemy. But whether it is worth rejoicing at this or upset, judge for yourself. Upon learning that the captured pilot was the son of a US Air Force admiral, the Vietnamese forces decided to use this in their political game. Whoever and whatever tells, and the fact that John tried to say goodbye to life in the cell, and also turned gray prematurely, says one thing that this experience was not easy for him. There is evidence that such a valuable prisoner was treated not the worst, and without physical violence or atrocities. But after all, the biggest shocks for a person can be provoked by absolutely not physical influence and not even so much by mental violence (although it is difficult to imagine a captivity that can avoid both the first and second), but by some internal overcoming.

Return from captivity

Upon returning to his homeland five and a half years later, McCain was given a disappointing medical diagnosis. After an unfortunate crash in Vietnam, serious injuries to the arm and leg cannot be completely cured. Doctors predicted that future Senator John McCain would never be able to fly again. The biography of a military pilot on this, you can be sure, has come to an end. But such a sentence aroused in the young McCain only a desire to once again show his rebellious temper and firmness of character. He still independently lifted the plane into the sky and again caused its crash, once again successfully catapulting. This fact did not entail any special consequences, but the position of the pilot still had to be abandoned.

Senator's second marriage

Returning from captivity, John could not renew his relationship with his wife, but sincerely felt guilty. No matter how strange it may sound, but for such an aggressive and restless person, admitting one's guilt looks like a heroic act. Not everyone will be able to say for himself, as Senator McCain later wrote, that such a step was caused by his own selfishness, as well as immaturity in understanding the situation. The very recognition of one's mistakes already characterizes a person from the best side. And for a person like John, such recognition speaks of personal growth, inner activity and the desire to move forward and improve oneself.

So, in 1980, the McCains officially divorced, but John continued to support his ex-wife in her long treatment after a car accident, and also left her both houses. But, obviously, there was another reason for this, since a month later John got married to a teacher from Arizona - Cindy Lou Hensley. Although it should be clarified that the new relatives were very wealthy businessmen. For five years, the couple had a daughter and two sons, who in the future continued the military traditions of the McCain family. A vividly characterizing fact was the desire of the McCains to adopt a seriously ill newborn child from Bangladesh in the early nineties. Undoubtedly, the initiative belonged mainly to the wife. But it is also worth noting that (already at that time Senator) John McCain never stood aside in matters relating to children.

Achievements of Officer John McCain

After Vietnam, McCain got the position of Naval Liaison Officer with the Senate. He served here until his full retirement in 1981. Despite all the losses and troubles of his youth, Senator McCain has an impressive list of military awards: the Bronze Star and Silver Star orders, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Order of Military Merit, and the Purple Heart. It is worth noting that McCain is in the top ten richest senators, although this is not so much his merit as a solid dowry of his wife. Cindy inherited her father's beer company.

Also, the achievements of the senator include the writing of several books, although in collaboration with his assistant, Mark Salter. Agree that having such a temperament, writing a book is a true achievement, even if it is co-authored with an assistant. In addition, McCain's autobiography, The Faith of My Fathers, became a real bestseller.

The beginning of a political career

After his resignation, John was able to devote himself to his father-in-law's beer business for a short time, but thanks to the support of the latter, he entered the political arena. Just a year later, in 1982, as a member of the Republican Party, McCain entered the House of Representatives. And in 1986 - already as a senator from the state of Arizona, John McCain achieved real political heights. But even here, the inexhaustible energy of an already middle-aged, but unprecedentedly active person did not allow him to sit still. By 2000, McCain is running for president. And here all the methods of pre-election campaigns have found something to profit from and what to rummage through. Suffice it to recall what a stormy youth the senator had. But this can hardly discourage anyone in our time. Therefore, gradually many facts acquired a new interpretation and even the form of an accusation. Not only the war years were raised, but also personal, family life. Even the adoption of a black girl was twisted by journalists in such an unpleasant way, despite the fact that it can hurt the child's psyche. Therefore, for sure, all this could affect the results of the elections.

Politics, like war, still changes people, even people as strong as Senator McCain. A photo of a young soldier, full of optimism and heroism, next to a photo from captivity, as well as pictures of a politician, demonstrates an uncommented difference, given age characteristics. This cannot fail to impress and simply makes you think how the weight of the years falls on the almost imperceptible tension of the lips, how the life traumas suffered put gray hair on the hair, how the very position and forced behavior oblige, displayed on the face and facial expressions.

Political Achievements of Senator John McCain

As a senator, McCain has earned the respect, approval and support of Americans (and not only). He supported the argument. As a seasoned military man, he supported the missile defense program and also spoke out against gun control. As a forward-thinking politician, he advocated the use of the death penalty and also approved tax cuts, although not immediately. As a thinking person, Senator John McCain could afford to go against partisan priorities, for example, by voting for constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage (contrary to the opinion of most Republicans). He also supported the stem cell research program, and federal funds were allocated for it. Here we can also mention the reformist desires of the senator regarding the electoral legislation.

After losing the last presidential election to Barack Obama, John McCain chose not to tempt fate any more and remain a senator for as long as he was destined by fate. It is not known for what reason, but in the summer of 2015 the news spread around the Internet that Senator McCain had died. But everything quickly became clear, the fact was not confirmed. Truthful articles have appeared that all this is disinformation. Although the noise, especially in social networks, it has done a lot. The discussions did not subside even after finding out the truth.

And in conclusion...

There are quite a few interesting and intriguing facts about Senator John McCain. This is because a person with such a bright personality, active life, as well as extraordinary behavior simply cannot but draw attention to himself and provoke heated discussions (not to say gossip). Such are journalists, political games and just curious citizens. But it is difficult to disagree that it is with such personal qualities that a person is directly born for that type of activity that we call politics. After all, this occupation requires talent, courage and endurance. It is surprising that a man with such an unusual biography as Senator McCain, in his almost 80 years, is still at the top of his fame and career, being able to bear the burden of power and responsibility. And whatever the speeches, position and preferences of McCain, his very life, personality, and even more so, his achievements simply make one marvel and bewilder. But to attach importance to the facts with a plus or minus sign is already the personal choice of each person, and each of us has the right to do so.