Top Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain - Relying on Integrity

John McCain was born in August of 1936 which means he will be 71 soon and 72 at the time of the presidential elections. Projecting ahead it would also mean that McCain would be 76 the next time the Presidency comes up for a vote. Given these statistics it is very likely that the Presidential election of 2008 will be the last reasonable chance John McCain has to win the office. Yet despite the extraordinarily high stakes, Sen. John McCain of Arizona seems determined to let it all stand or fall on the integrity of his pro-Iraq War position. One can only wonder how wise a political move this may turn out to be.

John McCain, on a limb by himself. More than any other U. S. Senator, Congressman or other political figure, John McCain, represents the pro-War faction in the United States. Critical of President Bush during the last four years over a variety of issues, including the equipping and deploying of U. S. troops, McCain has been seen as more supportive of the current military option being employed by the commander-in-chief and his minions. While most other presidential candidates and the majority of both houses of Congress continue to maneuver to force the President's hand and get us out of Iraq, Senator McCain stands with very few others who are speaking in favor of the surge strategy and suggesting that even more manpower and munitions be targeted to complete the job.

This unique position allows McCain to achieve lots of publicity and free air time and it makes him appear as a leader and not just a part of the pack that is jumping from the sinking ship. John McCain's pro-War position unites him with the military arm of our nation which is a comfortable position for a man who was educated at the United States Naval Academy and then served his country in Viet Nam. Having survived the Viet Nam war, but also remembering it in part as an unfinished mission, McCain seems fully committed to speaking out in favor of continuing the war until it is won. This position continues to give him both a uniqueness and a great deal of visibility as he sits out on the end of a rather shaky limb pretty much by himself.