Guest Column: Comparing McCain and his role model

Who a person admires is a fair measure of his or her own character. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), has often expressed his admiration for former President Theodore Roosevelt. An even better measure of the character of a person, however, can be seen in how closely that individual models his or her actions upon those of the person he or she respects. Here, a more detailed comparison of the biographies and policies of McCain and Roosevelt is needed.

They have much in common: Both are associated with powerful, wealthy families; both served in the armed forces; and both transformed military experience into political success. And both have seen themselves as "mavericks" willing to buck the trends of the Republican Party (although Roosevelt took it one step further by disowning Republicans and creating his own "Bull Moose" party during his failed 1912 campaign).

There is, however, at least one substantial personal difference between Roosevelt and McCain. Roosevelt was a genuine scholar. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University (ranking No. 21 of 177 students), spoke multiple languages and enjoyed a passion for literature. He passed the bar exam without finishing at Columbia Law School and authored numerous books. In contrast, McCain graduated No. 894 of 899 from the Naval Academy, and, while he has also been published, his books are about himself and are often ghost-written by longtime aide Mark Salter.

More important than these biographical comparisons, however, is the effect each man's life experiences had on his policies and vision. As governor of New York, Roosevelt targeted the corrupt "Tammany Hall" political machine; similarly, McCain takes prides in the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act that restructured the way campaigns are funded. Both men also share a belief in the idea of "American exceptionalism." For Roosevelt, this was manifested in his support for Panamanian independence from Colombia. For McCain, no better example exists than his undying support for the war in Iraq.

Yet despite these commonalities, there are significant differences. In domestic matters, Roosevelt was a progressive crusader, implementing some of the nation's earliest labor laws: maximum work hours, food and drug inspections and child labor protections. He was also a champion of conservation, setting aside vast areas of federal parkland.

In contrast, McCain was recently quoted as saying: "I'm always for less regulation. ... I am fundamentally a deregulator." Furthermore, while the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine demonstrates Roosevelt's realist worldview, it also demonstrates nuance by specifying a clearly defined zone of American influence. McCain's worldview flaunts American exceptionalism and does not demonstrate the same nuanced approach. Neither does he heed one of TR's wisest maxims: "Walk softly and carry a big stick." McCain is willing to wield the big stick of American might, but his rhetoric is rich in bluster and bellicosity, indicating that he has overlooked the important first half of this timeless adage.

Roosevelt certainly would have agreed with the slogan and central theme of McCain's campaign: "Country first." But would he have perceived McCain's policies as truly putting country first? Can McCain really claim Roosevelt, and all that he stood for, as an inspiration for his own vision?

Owen Andrews is a senior government and politics and history major. He can be reached at oandrews@umd.edu.