John Sidney McCain, a 72-year-old Republican who has served his country for half of a century as a military officer and then lawmaker, will be confronted with another significant challenge on Nov. 4 when American voters choose their next president between him and his Democratic rival Barack Obama.
If elected, McCain will make history as the oldest president to have his first term.
EARLY YEARS
McCain was born on Aug. 29, 1936 in the U.S.-administered Panama Canal Zone territory to a military family whose history can be traced back to the 18th century when his ancestors served on the first U.S. President George Washington's staff in the Independent War.
In 1954, McCain graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, and then was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy. However, in the following four years, he earned a reputation of always being ready for a party but struggling academically.
As the Vietnam War broke out, McCain was sent to the frontline as a pilot. His life changed on Oct. 26, 1967 when his A-4 Skyhawk was hit by a surface-to-air missile. He stayed in a Vietnamese jail for five years as a prisoner of war (POW).
After regaining his freedom in 1973, McCain returned to the United States and attended the National War College. Four years later, he began to work as a Navy liaison officer to the Senate and laid the ground for his later Congress career.
CONGRESS CAREER
In 1982, McCain launched his first bid for a political office in Arizona and was elected as a House Representative. He moved his seat to the Senate four years later, which he has occupied till now.
He focused on issues close to his personal experience in the Senate, including national defense and support for military veterans. He is also well-known as a Republican maverick who always oversteps the political aisle.
McCain made his first run for presidency in 2000. Riding on a campaign bus titled "The Straight Talk Express," he attracted many voters with his straightforward style and candor. However, McCain failed to rally enough supporters to win a Republican presidential nomination and then threw himself behind George W. Bush.
2008 CAMPAIGN
When McCain announced his bid for the White House for the second time in 2007, he was not in a favorable position since the Republican camp was more crowded and competitive.
Due to a lack of campaign fund, staff shake-ups and fading polling results, McCain once even considered of dropping out of the race before it started.
However, McCain made his "comeback" in the New Hampshire primary and solidified his winner status on the Super Tuesday on Feb. 5 when more than 20 states simultaneously held elections.
On March 4, 2008, McCain, with victories in Ohio and Texas primaries, finally crossed the threshold of 1,191 delegates needed to secure the candidacy.
He accepted the presidential nomination on Sept. 4 at the Republican national convention and nominated Alaska female governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.
With a campaign platform showing support for many traditional Republican policies and also a new course the country needs, McCain launched a showdown with Obama.
Besides his age, McCain was questioned for his link with the current Republican government led by President Bush that registered record-low approval ratings. However, he has promised a different administrative approach.
HIS FAMILY
McCain married Carol Shepp, a model from Philadelphia, in 1965 and adopted her two children Douglas and Andrew. The couple then had a daughter named Sidney. But their marriage began to falter after he was assigned to Florida in the 1970s when he had an extramarital affair.
In April 1979, McCain met Cindy Hensley, a teacher from Phoenix, Arizona, whose family owned a large beer distributorship. He divorced Carol in 1980 and married Cindy later in the year.
They have a daughter and two sons as well as an adopted orphan girl from Bangladesh, named Bridget.
Source:Xinhua
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