McCain: Strong on National Security or Bush Third Term?

Senator John McCain's resume includes many of the things traditionally seen as valuable national security and foreign policy training for American presidents. He served in the U.S Navy from 1958 to 1981 with a variety of international postings, most notably combat duty in Vietnam where he also spent five years as a prisoner of war. In his Senate career he has dealt with international issues while serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (where he also sits on the global climate change subcommittee).

In general, McCain's foreign policy positions put him squarely among mainstream conservatism. McCain voted in favor of the Iraq war, he says the U.S. may need to increase the number of troops there, and he said they may need to stay in Iraq for many, many years. He has supported almost all of President Bush's "War on Terror" bills. McCain would maintain the embargo on Cuba. He has called for strong action (including a NATO-enforced "no fly" zone) to end genocide in Darfur.

On the other hand, global climate change is seen by some as McCain's "signature issue". Citizens for Global Solutions gave McCain a F rating on foreign policy positions.

McCain's Statements

In a sweeping foreign policy speech delivered earlier this year in Los Angeles, McCain acknowledged that the days of American dominance over world affairs are past, and other countries are gaining significant power. He said the United States must remain politically, economically, and militarily strong. "But we must also lead by attracting others to our cause, by demonstrating once again the virtues of freedom and democracy, by defending the rules of international civilized society and by creating the new international institutions necessary to advance the peace and freedoms we cherish," he said.

In the speech, McCain also expressed belief in "international good citizenship." He called for a new Kyoto Treaty, a new partnership among the countries of North and South America, a strong NATO, reorganization of the G-8, and a new Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. He called for creating, "...a global coalition for peace and freedom - if we lead by shouldering our international responsibilities and pointing the way to a better and safer future for humanity, I believe we will gain tangible benefits as a nation."

Later, McCain delivered a comprehensive speech on his nuclear policies. He called for drastic reductions in America's nuclear arsenal. He talked about canceling so-called nuclear "bunker-busting" bombs and working with Russia and China nuclear nonproliferation. "Today, we deploy thousands of nuclear warheads. It is my hope to move as rapidly as possible to a significantly smaller force," McCain said.

Critics pointed out that these positions were often at odds with McCain's actual voting record in the U.S. Senate.

Other views:

• McCain 'Confused' on Foreign Policy?, from MSNBC.com
• McCain Says He's a 'Realistic Idealist' on US Foreign Policy, from Voice of America
• McCain: Cutting Casualties in Iraq is Primary Goal, from Newsweek

Finally, Newsweek offers this list of McCain's main foreign policy advisors.