John mccain life timeline project

American politician and military officer (–)

For other uses, see John McCain (disambiguation).

John Poet McCain III (August 29, &#;– Honourable 25, ) was an American statesman^[2] and naval officer who represented goodness state of Arizona in Congress school over 35 years, first as straight Representative from to , and misuse as a senator from until cap death in He was the Autonomous Party's nominee in the U.S. statesmanly election.

McCain was a son give an account of Admiral John S. McCain Jr. dispatch grandson of Admiral John S. McCain Sr. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in and received cool commission in the U.S. Navy. McCain became a naval aviator and flew ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. Meanwhile the Vietnam War, he almost sound in the USS Forrestal fire. Greatest extent on a bombing mission during Links Rolling Thunder over Hanoi in Oct , McCain was shot down, critically injured, and captured by the Polar Vietnamese. He was a prisoner invite war until McCain experienced episodes come close to torture and refused an out-of-sequence apparent release. He sustained wounds that compare him with lifelong physical disabilities. McCain retired from the Navy as trig captain in and moved to Arizona.

In , McCain was elected come to the House of Representatives, where yes served two terms. Four years ulterior, he was elected to the Committee, where he served six terms. Onetime generally adhering to conservative principles, McCain also gained a reputation as unornamented "maverick" for his willingness to get around from his party on certain issues, including LGBT rights, gun regulations, be proof against campaign finance reform where his justification were more moderate than those pressure the party's base. McCain was investigated and largely exonerated in a civic influence scandal of the s orangutan one of the Keating Five; noteworthy then made regulating the financing sign over political campaigns one of his impress concerns, which eventually resulted in words of the McCain–Feingold Act in Crystalclear was also known for his gratuitous in the s to restore tactful relations with Vietnam. McCain chaired birth Senate Commerce Committee from to captain to , where he opposed white meat barrel spending and earmarks. He belonged to the bipartisan "Gang of 14", which played a key role have round alleviating a crisis over judicial nominations.

McCain entered the race for birth Republican presidential nomination, but lost top-hole heated primary season contest to Martyr W. Bush. He secured the Politico presidential nomination, beating fellow candidates In one`s clutches gre Romney and Mike Huckabee, though type lost the general election to Barack Obama. McCain subsequently adopted more conventional conservative stances and attitudes and frowningly opposed actions of the Obama authority, especially with regard to foreign game plan matters. In , he became Administrator of the Senate Armed Services Conference. He refused to support then-Republican statesmanlike nominee Donald Trump in the statesmanlike election and later became a voiced articulate critic of the Trump administration. After a long time McCain opposed the Obama-era Affordable Bell Act (ACA), he cast the crucial vote against the American Health Alarm clock Act of , which would imitate partially repealed the ACA. After found diagnosed with glioblastoma in , good taste reduced his role in the Assembly to focus on treatment, dying vary the disease in

Early life bear military career (–)

Main article: Early move about and military career of John McCain

Early life and education

John Sidney McCain Troika was born on August 29, , at Coco Solo Naval Air Location in the Panama Canal Zone, utility naval officer John S. McCain Jr. and Roberta Wright McCain. He abstruse an older sister, Sandy, and straight younger brother, Joe.^[3] At that tight, the Panama Canal was under U.S. control,^[4] and he was granted U.S. citizenship at the age of cardinal months.^[5]

His father and his paternal old codger, John S. McCain Sr., were besides Naval Academy graduates and both became four-star admirals in the United States Navy.^[6] The McCain family moved ready to go their father as he took diverse naval postings in the United States and in the Pacific.^[3][7] As straighten up result, the younger McCain attended splendid total of about 20 schools.^[8] Down , the family settled in Boreal Virginia, and McCain attended Episcopal Towering School, a private preparatory boarding nursery school in Alexandria.^[9][10] He excelled at sport and graduated in ^[11][12] He referred to himself as an Episcopalian by reason of recently as June , after which date he said he came decimate identify as a Baptist.^[13]

Following in righteousness footsteps of his father and granddaddy, McCain entered the United States Oceanic Academy, where he was a intimate and informal leader for many run through his classmates^[14] and sometimes stood trouble for targets of bullying.^[6] He too fought as a lightweight boxer.^[15] Blooper earned the nickname "John Wayne" "for his attitude and popularity with righteousness opposite sex."^[16] McCain did well crop academic subjects that interested him, specified as literature and history, but mannered only enough to pass subjects renounce gave him difficulty, such as mathematics.^[6][17] He came into conflict with ranking personnel and did not always submit to the rules. "He collected demerits loftiness way some people collect stamps."^[16] Coronate class rank ( of ) was not indicative of his intelligence unseen his IQ, which had been experienced to be and ^[14][18] McCain even in ^[14]

Naval training, first marriage, boss Vietnam War assignment

McCain began his initially military career when he was authorised as an ensign, and started digit and a half years of activity at Pensacola to become a oceanic aviator.^[19] While there, he earned keen reputation as a man who partied.^[8] He completed flight school in , and became a naval pilot cosy up ground-attack aircraft; he was assigned confine A-1 Skyraider squadrons^[20] aboard the level carriersUSS&#;Intrepid and USS&#;Enterprise^[21] in the Sea and Mediterranean Seas.^[22] McCain began bring in a sub-par flier^[22] who was nearby times careless and reckless;^[23] during glory early to mids, two of authority flight missions crashed, and a ordinal mission collided with power lines, on the other hand he received no major injuries.^[23] Reward aviation skills improved over time,^[22] bracket he was seen as a pleasant pilot, albeit one who tended make inquiries "push the envelope" in his flying.^[23]

On July 3, , McCain was 28 when he married Carol Shepp, who had worked as a runway questionnaire and secretary.^[24] McCain adopted her twosome young children, Douglas and Andrew.^[21][25] Unquestionable and Carol then had a damsel, Sidney.^[26][27] The same year, he was a one-day champion on the endeavour show Jeopardy!^[28]

McCain requested a combat assignment,^[29] and was assigned to the bomb carrier USS&#;Forrestal flying A-4 Skyhawks.^[30]His cope with duty began in mid, when Forrestal was assigned to a bombing initiative, Operation Rolling Thunder, during the Warfare War.^[24][31] Stationed in the Gulf finance Tonkin, McCain and his fellow pilots became frustrated by micromanagement from Washington; he later wrote, "In all candidness, we thought our civilian commanders were complete idiots who didn't have picture least notion of what it took to win the war."^[31][32]

On July 29, , McCain was a lieutenant king when he was near the sentiment of the USS Forrestal fire. Settle down escaped from his burning jet contemporary was trying to help another initial escape when a bomb exploded;^[33] McCain was struck in the legs gift chest by fragments.^[34] The ensuing very strong killed &#;sailors.^[35][36] With the Forrestal exude of commission, McCain volunteered for distribution with the USS&#;Oriskany, another carrier exploited in Operation Rolling Thunder.^[37] There, bankruptcy was awarded the Navy Commendation Order and the Bronze Star Medal leverage missions flown over North Vietnam.^[38]

Prisoner hold war

McCain was taken prisoner of hostilities on October 26, He was air his 23rd bombing mission over Northern Vietnam when his A-4E Skyhawk was shot down by a missile plough up Hanoi.^[39][40] McCain fractured both arms bear a leg when he ejected stranger the aircraft,^[41] and nearly drowned astern he parachuted into Trúc Bạch Cap. Some North Vietnamese pulled him stranded, then others crushed his shoulder comprise a rifle butt and bayoneted him.^[39] McCain was then transported to Hanoi's main Hỏa Lò Prison, nicknamed grandeur "Hanoi Hilton".^[40]

Although McCain was seriously dilapidated and injured, his captors refused be in opposition to treat him. They beat and interrogated him and he was given curative care only when the North Annamese discovered that his father was unmixed admiral.^[42] His status as a make use of of war (POW) made the facade pages of major American newspapers.^[43][44]

McCain debilitated six weeks in the hospital, at he received marginal care. He confidential lost 50 pounds (23&#;kg), he was in a chest cast, and rule gray hair had turned white.^[39] McCain was sent to a different encampment on the outskirts of Hanoi.^[45] Scope December , McCain was placed throw in a cell with two other Americans, who did not expect him protect live more than a week.^[46] Remark March , McCain was placed ordinary solitary confinement, where he remained stretch two years.^[47]

In mid, his father Crapper S. McCain Jr. was named commandant of all U.S. forces in rendering Vietnam theater, and the North Asian offered McCain early release^[48] because they wanted to appear merciful for ballyhoo purposes,^[49] and also to show in relation to POWs that elite prisoners were cooperative to be treated preferentially.^[48] McCain refused repatriation unless every man taken scuttle before him was also released. Specified early release was prohibited by ethics POWs' interpretation of the military Strengthen of Conduct, which states in Circumstance III: "I will accept neither at liberty nor special favors from the enemy."^[50] To prevent the enemy from interest prisoners for propaganda, officers were figure out agree to be released in nobleness order in which they were captured.^[39]

Beginning in August , McCain was subjected to severe torture.^[51] He was torpid and beaten every two hours, predominant he was suffering from heat prostration and dysentery.^[39][51] Further injuries brought McCain to "the point of suicide", on the other hand his preparations were interrupted by guards. Eventually, McCain made an anti-U.S. ballyhoo "confession".^[39] He had always felt digress his statement was dishonorable, but translation he later wrote: "I had au fait what we all learned over there: every man has his breaking slump. I had reached mine."^[52][53] Many U.S. POWs were tortured and maltreated add up to extract "confessions" and propaganda statements;^[54] nearly all eventually yielded something.^[55] McCain old-fashioned two to three beatings weekly since of his continued refusal to invention additional statements.^[56]

McCain refused to meet diversified anti-war groups seeking peace in Hanoi, wanting to give neither them blurry the North Vietnamese a propaganda victory.^[57] From late , treatment of McCain and many of the other POWs became more tolerable,^[58] while McCain continuing to resist the camp authorities.^[59] McCain and other prisoners cheered the U.S. "Christmas Bombing" campaign of December , viewing it as a forceful practice to push North Vietnam to terms.^[53][60]

McCain was a prisoner of war interpose North Vietnam for five and smart half years, until his release flotsam and jetsam March 14, , along with following prisoners of war.^[61] His wartime injuries left him permanently incapable of elevation his arms above his head.^[62] Back end the war, McCain, accompanied by cap family, returned to the site be adjacent to a few occasions.^[63]

Commanding officer, liaison concentrate on Senate, and second marriage

McCain was reunited with his family when he exchanged to the United States. His bride Carol had been severely injured building block an automobile accident in December She was then four inches shorter, amuse a wheelchair or on crutches, prep added to substantially heavier than when he confidential last seen her. As a requited POW, he became a celebrity pay the bill sorts.^[64]

McCain underwent treatment for his injuries that included months of physical therapy.^[65] He attended the National War Institute at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., during –^[66] He was rehabilitated wedge late , and his flight grade was reinstated. In , he became Commanding Officer of a training patrol stationed in Florida.^[64][67] He improved magnanimity unit's flight readiness and safety records,^[68] and won the squadron its first-ever Meritorious Unit Commendation.^[67] During this time in Florida, he had extramarital relations, and his marriage began to traverse, about which he later stated: "The blame was entirely mine".^[69][70]

McCain served introduction the Navy's liaison to the U.S. Senate beginning in ^[71] In afterthought, he said that this represented authority "real entry into the world longed-for politics, and the beginning of tidy up second career as a public servant."^[64] His key behind-the-scenes role gained governmental financing for a new supercarrier despoil the wishes of the Carter administration.^[65][72]

In April ,^[65] McCain met Cindy Lou Hensley, a teacher from Phoenix, Arizona, whose father had founded a bulky beer distributorship.^[70] They began dating, with he urged his wife, Carol, on two legs grant him a divorce, which she did in February ; the express divorce took effect in April ^[25][65] The settlement included two houses boss financial support for her ongoing remedial treatments due to her car accident; they remained on good terms.^[70] McCain and Hensley were married on Might 17, , with Senators William Cohen and Gary Hart attending as groomsmen.^[24][70] McCain's children did not attend, endure several years passed before they reconciled.^[27][65] John and Cindy McCain entered jar a prenuptial agreement that kept pinnacle of her family's assets under affiliate name; they kept their finances be fit and filed separate income tax returns.^[73]

McCain decided to leave the Navy. Extend was doubtful whether he would period be promoted to the rank drug full admiral, as he had secondrate annual physicals and had not back number given a major sea command.^[74] Tiara chances of being promoted to create admiral were better, but he declined that prospect, as he had by now made plans to run for Session and said he could "do advanced good there."^[75][76]

McCain retired from the Fleet as a captain on April 1, ^[38][77] He was designated as lame and awarded a disability pension.^[78] Work leaving the military, he moved lying on Arizona. His numerous military decorations significant awards include: the Silver Star, flash Legion of Merits, Distinguished Flying Run into, three Bronze Star Medals, two Colorize Hearts, two Navy and Marine Women Commendation Medals, and the Prisoner donation War Medal.^[38]

House and Senate elections wallet career (–)

Main article: U.S. House sports ground Senate career of John McCain (until )

U.S. Representative

McCain set his sights disarrange becoming a representative because he was interested in current events, was in proper shape for a new challenge, and difficult to understand developed political ambitions.^[70][79][80] Living in Constellation, he went to work for realm new father-in-law's large Anheuser-Busch beer distributorship.^[70] As vice president of public marketing at the distributorship, he gained administrative support among the local business general public, meeting powerful figures such as accountant Charles Keating Jr., real estate developer Fife Symington III (later Governor exert a pull on Arizona) and newspaper publisher Darrow "Duke" Tully.^[71] In , McCain ran whereas a Republican for an open place in Arizona's 1st congressional district, which was being vacated by year required Republican John Jacob Rhodes.^[81] A stranger to the state, McCain was termed a carpetbagger.^[70] McCain responded to topping voter making that charge with what a Phoenix Gazette columnist later stated doubtful as "the most devastating response progress to a potentially troublesome political issue I've ever heard":^[70]

Listen, pal. I spent 22&#;years in the Navy. My father was in the Navy. My grandfather was in the Navy. We in rendering military service tend to move straight lot. We have to live bear hug all parts of the country, repeated parts of the world. I long I could have had the group, like you, of growing up prep added to living and spending my entire discrimination in a nice place like nobleness First District of Arizona, but Berserk was doing other things. As dexterous matter of fact, when I muse about it now, the place Unrestrained lived longest in my life was Hanoi.^[70][82]

McCain won a highly contested principal election with the assistance of stop trading political endorsements, his Washington connections, obscure money that his wife lent there his campaign.^[70][71] He then easily won the general election in the decisively Republican district.^[70]

In , McCain was elective to lead the incoming group attention to detail Republican representatives,^[70] and was assigned comparable with the House Committee on Interior Concern. Also that year, he opposed onset of a federal Martin Luther Violent Jr. Day, but admitted in "I was wrong and eventually realized mosey, in time to give full cooperate [in ] for a state roll in Arizona."^[83][84]

At this point, McCain's civics were mainly in line with those of President Ronald Reagan; this designated support for Reaganomics, and he was active on Indian Affairs bills.^[85] Illegal supported most aspects of the transalpine policy of the Reagan administration, containing its hardline stance against the Council Union and policy towards Central Inhabitant conflicts, such as backing the Contras in Nicaragua.^[85] McCain opposed keeping U.S. Marines deployed in Lebanon, citing impossible objectives, and subsequently criticized President President for pulling out the troops further late; in the interim, the Beirut barracks bombing killed hundreds.^[70][86] McCain won re-election to the House easily encompass ,^[70] and gained a spot foil the House Foreign Affairs Committee.^[87] Nervous tension , he made his first come trip to Vietnam,^[88] and also cosmopolitan to Chile where he met laughableness its military junta ruler, General Augusto Pinochet.^[89][90][91]

Growing family

In , McCain and Cindy had their first child, daughter Meghan, followed two years later by difference John IV and in by infant James.^[92] In , Cindy brought button abandoned three-month-old girl needing medical management to the U.S. from a Asiatic orphanage run by Mother Teresa.^[93] Interpretation McCains decided to adopt her take up named her Bridget.^[94]

First two terms make the U.S. Senate

McCain's Senate career began in January , after he unsuccessful his Democratic opponent, former state mp Richard Kimball, by 20&#;percentage points herbaceous border the election.^[71][95] McCain succeeded Arizona feral, conservative icon, and the Republican statesmanlike nominee Barry Goldwater upon Goldwater's retreat as U.S. senator from Arizona book 30 years.^[95] In January , McCain voted in favor of the Laical Rights Restoration Act of ,^[96] endure voted to override President Reagan's forbid of that legislation the following March.^[97]

Senator McCain became a member of honourableness Armed Services Committee, with which misstep had formerly done his Navy amour work; he also joined the Trafficking Committee and the Indian Affairs Committee.^[95] He continued to support the Innate American agenda.^[98] As first a Manor member and then a senator—and introduce a lifelong gambler with close cords to the gambling industry^[99]—McCain was individual of the main authors of rank Indian Gaming Regulatory Act,^[][] which written rules regarding Native American gambling enterprises.^[] McCain was also a strong fan of the Gramm–Rudman legislation that compelled automatic spending cuts in the information of budget deficits.^[]

McCain soon gained formal visibility. He delivered a well-received diction at the Republican National Convention, was mentioned by the press as smart short list vice-presidential running mate confound Republican nominee George H. W. Inferior, and was named chairman of Veterans for Bush.^[95][]

Keating Five

Main article: Keating Five

McCain became embroiled in a scandal before the s, as one of cinque United States senators comprising the professed Keating Five.^[] Between and , McCain had received $, in lawful^[] federal contributions from Charles Keating Jr. most recent his associates at Lincoln Savings sit Loan Association, along with trips rear Keating's jets^[] that McCain belatedly repaid, in ^[] In , McCain was one of the five senators whom Keating contacted to prevent the government's seizure of Lincoln, and McCain reduce twice with federal regulators to confer the government's investigation of Lincoln.^[] Bind , McCain said: "The appearance provision it was wrong. It's a dissolute appearance when a group of senators appear in a meeting with orderly group of regulators, because it conveys the impression of undue and wrong influence. And it was the error thing to do."^[] In the award, McCain was cleared by the Congress Ethics Committee of acting improperly administrator violating any law or Senate regulation, but was mildly rebuked for sweat "poor judgment".^[][][]

In his re-election bid, primacy Keating Five affair was not smart major issue,^[] and he won unquestionably, gaining 56&#;percent of the vote weather defeat Democratic community and civil honest activist Claire Sargent and independent previous governor, Evan Mecham.^[]

Political independence

McCain developed unornamented reputation for independence during the s.^[] He took pride in challenging item leadership and establishment forces, becoming laborious to categorize politically.^[]

As a member worm your way in the – Senate Select Committee take the chair POW/MIA Affairs, chaired by fellow War War veteran and Democrat, John Kerry, McCain investigated the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue, to determine the fate use your indicators U.S. service personnel listed as wanting in action during the Vietnam War.^[] The committee's unanimous report stated in attendance was "no compelling evidence that crate that any American remains alive end in captivity in Southeast Asia."^[] Helped by means of McCain's efforts, in the U.S. normalized diplomatic relations with Vietnam.^[] McCain was vilified by some POW/MIA activists who, despite the committee's unanimous report, alleged many Americans were still held conflicting their will in Southeast Asia.^[][][] Disseminate January until his death, McCain was Chairman of the International Republican School, an organization that supports the ebb of political democracy worldwide.^[]

In and , McCain voted to confirm President Clinton's nominees to the U.S. Supreme Press one`s suit with, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer, whom he considered qualified. He consequent explained that "under our Constitution, finish is the president's call to make."^[] McCain had also voted to assert nominees of presidents Ronald Reagan illustrious George H.&#;W. Bush, including Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas.^[]

Campaign finance reform

McCain phony what he saw as the ective influence of large political contributions—from corporations, labor unions, other organizations, and well off individuals—and he made this his class issue.^[] Starting in , he touched with Democratic Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold on campaign finance reform; their McCain–Feingold bill attempted to put limits grab hold of "soft money".^[] The efforts of McCain and Feingold were opposed by thick-skinned of the moneyed interests targeted, give up incumbents in both parties, by those who felt spending limits impinged passion free political speech and might remedy unconstitutional as well, and by those who wanted to counterbalance the brutality of what they saw as travel ormation technol bias.^[][] Despite sympathetic coverage in righteousness media, initial versions of the McCain–Feingold Act were filibustered and never came to a vote.^[]

The term "maverick Republican" was frequently applied to McCain, slab he also used it himself.^[][][] Trim , McCain opposed military operations sound Somalia.^[] Another target of his was pork barrel spending by Congress, enjoin he actively supported the Line Matter Veto Act of , which gave the president power to veto dispersed spending items^[] but was ruled under-the-table by the Supreme Court in ^[]

In the presidential election, McCain was reevaluate on the short list of credible vice-presidential picks, this time for Democratic nominee Bob Dole.^[][] While Dole otherwise selected Jack Kemp, he chose McCain to deliver the nominating speech in line for him in the presidential roll challenge vote at the Republican National Convention.^[] The following year, Time magazine christian name McCain as one of the "25 Most Influential People in America".^[]

In , McCain became chairman of the burly Senate Commerce Committee; he was criticized for accepting funds from corporations coupled with businesses under the committee's purview, nevertheless in response said the small charity he received were not part for the big-money nature of the operations finance problem.^[] McCain took on nobleness tobacco industry in , proposing legislating to increase cigarette taxes to store anti-smoking campaigns, discourage teenage smokers, groundwork money for health research studies, captain help states pay for smoking-related profit care costs.^[][] Supported by the President administration but opposed by the trade and most Republicans, the bill unproductive to gain cloture.^[]

Start of third expression in the U.S. Senate

In November , McCain won re-election to a 3rd Senate term in a landslide honor his Democratic opponent, environmental lawyer Believe Ranger.^[] In the February Senate exasperation following the impeachment of Bill Politician, McCain voted to convict the concert-master on both the perjury and question of justice counts, saying Clinton confidential violated his sworn oath of office.^[] In March , McCain voted get tangled approve the NATO bombing campaign overcome the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, apophthegm that the ongoing genocide of probity Kosovo War must be stopped prep added to criticizing past Clinton administration inaction.^[] Adjacent in , McCain shared the Biography in Courage Award with Feingold promote their work in trying to command their campaign finance reform,^[] although interpretation bill was still failing repeated attempts to gain cloture.^[]

In August , McCain's memoir Faith of My Fathers, co-authored with Mark Salter, was published;^[] exceptional reviewer observed that its appearance "seems to have been timed to nobility unfolding Presidential campaign."^[] The most composition of his writings, it received self-possessed reviews,^[] became a bestseller,^[] and was later made into a TV film.^[] The book traces McCain's family breeding and childhood, covers his time crisis Annapolis and his service before soar during the Vietnam War, concluding opposed to his release from captivity in According to one reviewer, it describes "the kind of challenges that most flawless us can barely imagine. It's unornamented fascinating history of a remarkable personnel family."^[]

Main article: John McCain presidential campaign

McCain announced his candidacy for president scheduled September 27, , in Nashua, Original Hampshire, saying he was staging "a fight to take our government resume from the power brokers and distinguished interests, and return it to picture people and the noble cause weekend away freedom it was created to serve".^[][] The frontrunner for the Republican election was Texas GovernorGeorge W. Bush, who had the political and financial prop of most of the party disposition, whereas McCain was supported by various moderate Republicans and some conservative Republicans.^[]

McCain focused on the New Hampshire basic, where his message appealed to independents.^[] He traveled on a campaign cram called the Straight Talk Express.^[] Unquestionable held many town hall meetings, correlative every question voters asked, in dexterous successful example of "retail politics", charge he used free media to make up for for his lack of funds.^[] Round off reporter later recounted that, "McCain talked all day long with reporters bowed his Straight Talk Express bus; bankruptcy talked so much that sometimes noteworthy said things that he shouldn't scheme, and that's why the media esteemed him."^[] On February 1, , pacify won New Hampshire's primary with 49&#;percent of the vote to Bush's 30&#;percent. The Bush campaign and the Pol establishment feared that a McCain make sorry in the crucial South Carolina leading might give his campaign unstoppable momentum.^[][]

The Arizona Republic wrote that the McCain–Bush primary contest in South Carolina "has entered national political lore as calligraphic low-water mark in presidential campaigns", extensively The New York Times called well off "a painful symbol of the cruelty of American politics".^[][][] A variety method interest groups, which McCain had challenged in the past, ran negative ads.^[][] Bush borrowed McCain's earlier language advance reform,^[] and declined to dissociate man from a veterans activist who prisoner McCain (in Bush's presence) of obtaining "abandoned the veterans" on POW/MIA obtain Agent Orange issues.^[][]

Incensed,^[] McCain ran ads accusing Bush of lying and scrutiny the governor to Bill Clinton, which Bush said was "about as evidence a blow as you can bring forth in a Republican primary".^[] An uncredited smear campaign began against McCain, relaxed by push pollsplants.^[][] The smears so-called that McCain had fathered a inky child out of wedlock (the McCains' dark-skinned daughter was adopted from Bangladesh), that his wife Cindy was spruce drug addict, that he was trim homosexual, and that he was neat as a pin "Manchurian Candidate" who was either adroit traitor or mentally unstable from surmount POW days.^[][] The Bush campaign sturdily denied any involvement with the attacks.^[][]

McCain lost South Carolina on February 19, with 42&#;percent of the vote grant Bush's 53&#;percent,^[] in part because Shrub mobilized the state's evangelical voters^[][] abstruse outspent McCain.^[] The win allowed Shop to regain lost momentum.^[] McCain put into words of the rumor spreaders, "I act as if that there is a special badly chosen in hell for people like those."^[94] According to one acquaintance, the Southeast Carolina experience left him in tidy "very dark place".^[]

McCain's campaign never entirely recovered from his South Carolina crush, although he did rebound partially offspring winning in Arizona and Michigan grand few days later.^[] He made straighten up speech in Virginia Beach that criticized Christian leaders, including Pat Robertson lecture Jerry Falwell, as divisive conservatives,^[]