2008 Woodie Awards
Guest Column: The maverick
Luke Beckmann
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: Opinion
To the dismay of some and the joy of others, reaching 1,191 delegates means Sen. John McCain has locked up the nomination of the Grand Old Party. Whether it is Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter or The New York Times , it is easy to get caught up in the media's attempts to criticize and scandalize the Arizona senator, but one must look past this hype to understand the true John McCain.
In 1936, John Sidney McCain III was born in the American-controlled Panama Canal Zone to a prestigious naval family. Both his father and paternal grandfather were U.S. Navy admirals, and he followed in their footsteps by joining the Navy. Though dangerously near the bottom of his class, McCain graduated and became an officer in 1958. Active throughout the Vietnam War running air missions, McCain was shot down in 1967 and taken a prisoner of war. When McCain's father was named the commander of all forces in Vietnam, the North Vietnamese offered McCain a chance to return early but McCain refused until all prisoners taken before him were released. This refusal brought harsher treatment upon McCain, exposing him to constant torture. Altogether, McCain stayed at the "Hanoi Hilton" for five-and-a-half years, years that clearly shaped the man of honor he would become.
In the Senate, McCain has been a very active member, drafting numerous pieces of legislation and voicing succinct opinions on a multitude of issues. He has been pinned with the "maverick" tag because of his willingness to compromise with the Democrats in certain situations and work across the aisle. In 2001, McCain co-sponsored a bill with a Democrat, Sen. Russell Feingold, that reformed campaign finance. The bill addressed the increased role of soft money, the unlimited funds corporations and the like contributed to national parties. Though unpopular with some, it is hard for one to make a solid argument that campaigns are worse off being less dependent on money and corporations and more on the character and qualifications of the individual candidates.
McCain has drafted legislation promoting immigration reform that has come under fire from some hard-line Republicans. The bill incorporated legalization, guest-worker programs and border enforcement programs aiming to revamp U.S. immigration policy. McCain wanted to draft legislation that would deal with the immigration issue humanely and efficiently, knowing that protecting the borders was a crucial element for improvements to take hold. Coming from a border state himself, McCain has his constituents in mind and would not push immigration legislation that would be detrimental to America.
These pieces of legislation and everything that makes McCain a "maverick" have caused him to be criticized by many, but I argue that these actions make McCain the great politician and perfect candidate for president that he is. Though a definite conservative, McCain votes his conscience and is an independent thinker. It is nice to know that some congressmen do what is best for their constituency and do what they truly think is correct, not just what the party whip is telling them. In this way McCain is a different kind of politician who can open up to the other side of the aisle and work together achieving American objectives, not party objectives.
In a year that clearly leans Democratic, nominating McCain is one of the smartest things the Republican Party could have done. Many college students are liberal and would never consider voting for a Republican, but I believe the different kind of Republican McCain is can have appeal to a discerning college student. Obama has swept the youth vote, but once one gets by the excitement and flashy speeches, his substance pales in comparison to the Arizona senator. If a college student is willing to research their vote and make an educated decision based on issues, experience and character, not just blindly vote for the Democrat, John McCain could rise as a very attractive presidential candidate.
Luke Beckmann is a sophomore government and politics major. He can be reached at beckmann@umd.edu.
In 1936, John Sidney McCain III was born in the American-controlled Panama Canal Zone to a prestigious naval family. Both his father and paternal grandfather were U.S. Navy admirals, and he followed in their footsteps by joining the Navy. Though dangerously near the bottom of his class, McCain graduated and became an officer in 1958. Active throughout the Vietnam War running air missions, McCain was shot down in 1967 and taken a prisoner of war. When McCain's father was named the commander of all forces in Vietnam, the North Vietnamese offered McCain a chance to return early but McCain refused until all prisoners taken before him were released. This refusal brought harsher treatment upon McCain, exposing him to constant torture. Altogether, McCain stayed at the "Hanoi Hilton" for five-and-a-half years, years that clearly shaped the man of honor he would become.
In the Senate, McCain has been a very active member, drafting numerous pieces of legislation and voicing succinct opinions on a multitude of issues. He has been pinned with the "maverick" tag because of his willingness to compromise with the Democrats in certain situations and work across the aisle. In 2001, McCain co-sponsored a bill with a Democrat, Sen. Russell Feingold, that reformed campaign finance. The bill addressed the increased role of soft money, the unlimited funds corporations and the like contributed to national parties. Though unpopular with some, it is hard for one to make a solid argument that campaigns are worse off being less dependent on money and corporations and more on the character and qualifications of the individual candidates.
McCain has drafted legislation promoting immigration reform that has come under fire from some hard-line Republicans. The bill incorporated legalization, guest-worker programs and border enforcement programs aiming to revamp U.S. immigration policy. McCain wanted to draft legislation that would deal with the immigration issue humanely and efficiently, knowing that protecting the borders was a crucial element for improvements to take hold. Coming from a border state himself, McCain has his constituents in mind and would not push immigration legislation that would be detrimental to America.
These pieces of legislation and everything that makes McCain a "maverick" have caused him to be criticized by many, but I argue that these actions make McCain the great politician and perfect candidate for president that he is. Though a definite conservative, McCain votes his conscience and is an independent thinker. It is nice to know that some congressmen do what is best for their constituency and do what they truly think is correct, not just what the party whip is telling them. In this way McCain is a different kind of politician who can open up to the other side of the aisle and work together achieving American objectives, not party objectives.
In a year that clearly leans Democratic, nominating McCain is one of the smartest things the Republican Party could have done. Many college students are liberal and would never consider voting for a Republican, but I believe the different kind of Republican McCain is can have appeal to a discerning college student. Obama has swept the youth vote, but once one gets by the excitement and flashy speeches, his substance pales in comparison to the Arizona senator. If a college student is willing to research their vote and make an educated decision based on issues, experience and character, not just blindly vote for the Democrat, John McCain could rise as a very attractive presidential candidate.
Luke Beckmann is a sophomore government and politics major. He can be reached at beckmann@umd.edu.
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Mark Seidenberg
posted 4/08/08 @ 5:35 AM EST
John Sidney McCain III was born on August 29, 1936. Sources place his birth
place in Coco Solo Hospital in the Canal Zone or Colon Hospital in the Republic of Panama. (Continued…)
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