2012 SelectSmart.com Presidential Candidate Selector Candidate Positions John McCain (Born August 29, 1936) Arizona Senator, 2008 GOP presidential candidate, Navy pilot, captain, beer distributor.

Foreign policy and war issues: "[McCain's] views clearly mirror the desires of extremists like McCain's Vegas fundraiser, Sheldon Adelson, who opposes a two-state solution." Source
[CNN's Larry] KING: If you were president and knew that bin Laden was in Pakistan, you know where, would you have U.S. forces go in after him? MCCAIN: Larry, I'm not going to go there and here's why, because Pakistan is a sovereign nation. I think the Pakistanis would want bin Laden out of their hair and out of their country and it's causing great difficulties in Pakistan itself. Source Supports Bush's surge, in fact, calls for more additional troops than Bush recommends.

Security/liberties: Has voted for the PATRIOT act and it's revisions. He generally opposes the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Social Security: Would allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves. Source

Stem cell research: Supports stem cell research on existing lines of stem cells, but not new lines. Source

Same sex issues: McCain endorsed Proposition 8 on the Nov. 4 California ballot, a measure that banned same-sex marriages. Source Usually opposes gay marriage, but in an MSNBC "Hardball" interview he seemingly both supported and opposed gay marriage. “I think that gay marriage should be allowed, if there‘s a ceremony kind of thing, if you want to call it that. I don‘t have any problem with that, but I do believe in preserving the sanctity of a union between man and woman.” "On the issue of the gay marriage, I believe that people want to have private ceremonies, that‘s fine. I do not believe that gay marriages should be legal." Source
His views on same sex civil unions are more ambiguous. McCain responded "yes" to VoteSmart's "Political Courage Test" question, "Should same-sex couples be allowed to form civil unions?" Source.
On ABC’s “This Week,” host George Stephanopoulos asked [John] McCain why he supported [Arizona Proposition 107], saying it “actually denied any government benefits to civil unions or domestic partnerships. Are you against civil unions for gay couples?”
First McCain said: “No, I’m not.”
“I think that initiative did allow for people to join in legal agreements such as power of attorney and others,” he said. “I think that there was a difference of opinion on the interpretation of that constitutional amendment in Arizona.”
“So you’re for civil unions?” Stephanopoulos asked.
“No,” he said. “I do not believe gay marriage should be legal. I do not believe gay marriage should be legal,” he repeated. “But I do believe that people ought to be able to enter into contracts, exchange powers of attorney, other ways that people have relationships can enter into.” Source

Trade issues: Free trader. Source

Budget issues: For 2001-2002, the Concord Coalition gave Senator McCain a rating of 95 percent. Source Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Taxpayers Union 88 percent in 2006. Source 2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Children's Defense Fund's position, Senator McCain received a rating of 10. Source He supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 0 percent in 2007. Source

Business & labor issues: Senator McCain supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 72 percent in 2005. Source McCain supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 14 percent in 2005. McCain supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 14 percent in 2005. Source Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Children's Defense Fund's position, McCain received a rating of 10. Source

Abortion issues: McCain supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 0% in 2006. He supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 75% in 2005-2006. He supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0% in 2005.

Capital punishment: Supports the use of the death penalty for federal crimes. Source

Marijuana: Opposes legalization. Supports expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare. Source

Gun control: Based on lifetime voting records the National Rifle Association assigned Senator McCain a grade of C+. He supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 14 percent from 1988-2003. Source

Minimum wage: Has voted both for and against minimum wage bills about an equal number of times. Source

Health care: Opposes universal health care. Source

Prescription drugs: Supports expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare. Source

Environmental issues: Groups like the American Wilderness Coalition, Wildlife Action Fund and the League of Conservation Voters give McCain scores at or near 50%. Source

Immigration issues: Senator John McCain has voted in favor of amnesty for illegal aliens... Senator John McCain has voted for increases in permanent and temporary foreign work visas such as the H1-B. Source Increase the number of visas issued for agricultural workers. Relax restrictions barring legal immigrants from using social programs (e.g. public housing, food stamps). Source
Supports amnesty/permanent legalization for illegal aliens and temporary legalization for illegal aiens as guestworkers Source

Education: Supports vouchers. Source Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Education Association 0 percent in 2005.

Net Neutrality: No Source

Link to voting records and special interest group ratings. (If available).

Campaign website