What These Eyes Have Seen
He's endured the unendurable, and survived. Inside the mind and heart of John McCain.
GALLERY
Photos: John McCain's Maverick Path
John McCain's evolution from rebel to Republican frontrunner, in photos
During the 2000 election, Republican smear artists trying to stop the presidential campaign of John McCain spread rumors that the former POW was "nuts" because he had been "in the cage too long"—in the Hanoi Hilton for five and a half years. The campaign decided to make public Captain (now Senator) McCain's medical records, which showed that he had an enlarged prostate and trouble lifting his arms (repeatedly broken in captivity), but had been judged perfectly sane by a series of Navy psychiatrists who had tested him for years after his release from prison.
The details of those medical evaluations make you wonder why McCain is not stark raving mad today. Tortured repeatedly to extract a confession, McCain "tried to hang himself X2 to avoid giving in," reads the report of a psychiatrist at Jacksonville Naval Hospital in Florida who had interviewed McCain in 1973. "Broke three teeth as a result of rocks in diet," records another. Last week, as I read to McCain from these long-ago documents, he chimed in, "And also a fist in the face a couple of times." McCain was relaxing in a luxurious suite at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, having just received the endorsement of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (the two made an odd couple—the tanned, coifed, buff movie warrior and the pale, wispy-haired real one). His years in captivity were "terrible," McCain said, but, his voice gaining emphasis and urgency, he went on: "In some ways, it was the most magnificent time, because of the courage and bravery of those I had the privilege of serving with." He seemed to hear himself and quickly added: "Veterans really hate war. I hope there's no glorification of war in anything I've written or said."
But there is. How could he avoid glorifying war in a memoir called "Faith of My Fathers" about his grandfather, who commanded a carrier fleet against Japan in World War II, and his father, who was an ace sub commander in World War II and commander of Pacific forces in the Vietnam War? What he objects to, he later made clear in the interview with NEWSWEEK, is "self-glory." The lesson from war he learned—the true faith of his fathers—is that there are "causes greater than self," like country and freedom, worth dying for.
The McCains are not like most Americans. They belong to a warrior caste that has been fighting America's conflicts for more than two centuries. (McCain's grandfather Adm. John S. McCain was depressed at the surrender of Japan. He complained to his chief of staff, "I feel lost. I don't know what to do," and died of a heart attack four days later.) The legacy and experience of war in some ways made John S. McCain III a truly humble man, capable of profound forgiveness—even for the jailers who abused him in Hanoi. But McCain's grace was hard won, and it is in a way a work in progress, a one-day-at-a-time struggle and balancing act. He is often funny, even devil-may-care, and at the same time a little sad. His temper lurks—controlled, but sometimes barely. I asked about a report that McCain's handlers need to caution him against blowing up during presidential debates. "No," he said. "They told me to appear presidential." McCain flashes a smile from time to time that is more like a smirk, "a defense mechanism—to smile, not appear angry or frustrated," he acknowledges. "I had to smile a lot last night," he adds, trying not to smirk. In a debate, his chief opponent, Mitt Romney, had tried to get his goat by raising doubts about McCain's conservative credentials and by accusing him of distorting his record.
McCain, who clearly cannot stand Romney (and vice versa), bridles at anyone or anything that impugns his honor, most sacred of military virtues. In rare weak moments, he can seem prickly, impetuous, vindictive—the sort of military martinet whose finger is supposed to be kept far from the button. Yet he is endowed with self-knowledge and self-effacing dignity. "I'm a man of many failings," McCain says with a genuine, if practiced, ruefulness. "I make no bones about it. That's why I'm such a believer in redemption. I've done many, many things wrong in my life. The key is to try to improve." There are a number of U.S. senators who can attest to McCain's repentance with handwritten apologies for his intemperance.
John McCain, 71, will be the oldest president ever elected if he goes on to win his party's nomination and the White House in November. He has made a long, hard journey from being a "rebel without a cause," as he described himself to one of those Navy psychiatrists back in the 1970s, to a man who aspires to lead the nation and the world. As an angry toddler, he would hold his breath until he passed out (his parents' cure was to drop him fully clothed into a bathtub of icy water). He has found transcendence, if not exactly peace, through duty and suffering that most people can barely imagine.
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Member Comments
Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 06/23/2008 10:20:38 AM
Comment: Barack Hussein Obama's Political Views
Unsuccessfully sponsored measure to expunge some criminal records and create an employment grant program for ex-criminals. (2002)
Voted against making gang members eligible for the death penalty if they kill someone to help their gang. (2001)
Voted against letting people argue self-defense in court if charged with violating local weapons bans by using a gun in their home. (2004)
Voted against restrictions on public funding of abortion. (2000)
Being gay or lesbian is not a choice. (Nov 2007)
Ok to expose 6-year-olds to gay couples; they know already. (Sep 2007)
Legal rights for gays are conferred by state, not by church. (Aug 2007)
Gay marriage is less important that equal gay rights. (Aug 2007)
Gay rights movement is somewhat like civil rights movement. (Aug 2007)
Let each denominations decide on recognizing gay marriage. (Jul 2007)
Supports health benefits for gay civil partners. (Oct 2006)
Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality. (Oct 2006)
Extend welfare and Medicaid to immigrants. (Jul 1998)
Support granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007)
Forthright on racial issues and on his civil rights history. (Jul 2004)
Supports affirmative action in colleges and government. (Jul 1998)
Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws. (Jul 1998)
Miscegenation a felony in 1960 when Obama's practiced it. (Aug 1996)
Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
Need justice that is not just us, but is everybody. (Jun 2007)
Videotape all capital punishment interrogations. (Oct 2006)
Battles legislatively against the death penalty. (Jul 2004)
Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 06/23/2008 10:13:20 AM
Comment: The Many "Quotes" of Barack Obama
"I don't think my church is particularly controversial."
Rev. Wright is "like an old uncle who sometimes says things I don't agree with."
"The emotion between the races could never be pure..... the other race would always remain just that: menacing, alien, and apart."
"I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites"
"never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa, that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself..".
"I am not in favor of concealed weapons. I think that creates a potential atmosphere where more innocent people could (get shot during) altercations."
"The person who made me proudest of all, though, was [half brother] Roy .. He converted to Islam."
"...I've got two daughters. 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."
"I cannot swallow whole the view of Lincoln as the Great Emancipator."
"I opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor. I will also oppose any proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying."
"You know, my faith is one that admits some doubt."
Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 06/23/2008 10:04:26 AM
Comment: I guess Barack is shaken by all the bloggers and websites floating the Net because he has formed a "dream team" to help fight us! Senator Obama has formed a team to battle his negative image on the Internet. Why would he be concerned about articles that he claims are lies and misconceptions? Do you think that maybe a good percentage of those articles may speak the truth?
Is it coincidence that Obama graduated from Harvard, a school with one of the largest Muslim organizations (HIS - Harvard Islamic Society) located on campus since 1955.
Is it coincidence that Barack was repulsed by a very successful Republican President Ronald Reagan and is enamored by one of our worst Presidents in history Jimmy Carter?
Is it coincidence that Larry Sinclair is getting death threats after stating he had a drug encounter and two gay sex encounters with Obama about 8 years ago?
Is it coincidence that Obama had absolutely NO PROBLEM with his church or pastor until the year that he ran for President and then he amazingly saw the light?
Is it coincidence that Barack received donations from, visited the home of and is friends with Pentagon and Police Headquarters Bomber William Ayres? Is that Liberal enough for you?
Is it coincidence that 16 times convicted felon Tony Rezko donated thousands to Obama's campaign in Illinois, basically buying him the election, than receiving millions in Illinois contracts for himself and associates?
Is it coincidental that Obama has all these questionable ties and with little to no political experience has received over $264 Million in campaign contributions?
Is it going to be coincidence when Democratic opponents John Edwards receives an Attorney General's position and Hillary Clinton will get a Supreme Court nomination for their quick change in support FOR Barack Hussein Obama should he be victorious in November?
Who is controlling this puppet. We may find out soon enough. I guess this article and others will put us on the Internet dream team's radar. Bring it on Obama Sheeple, you can't handle the truth!