ohn McCain is the senior Republican Senator for the state of Arizona. He was the party's candidate for the 2008 Presidential Election, but was defeated by Barack Obama. Before serving in the U.S. Senate, McCain served as Arizona's first district representative in Congress.

On March 2, 2009, McCain responded to Obama's $410 billion omnibus spending bill by railing at the president for not standing up to political earmarks. The earmarks were added by both parties and amount to 2% of the total bill.New York Times: Catch-Up Spending Bill Puts Congress Under Pressure (March 2, 2009) Politico: Angry McCain slams Obama (March 2, 2009)

McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone in 1936 while his father, John S. McCain, Sr. was stationed in the American-controlled zone.The Arizona Republic: Who is John McCain? (March 1, 2007)

He is currently married to Cindy McCain, who is the chair of Hensley & Co., one of the largest distributors for Anheuser-Busch beer, the maker of Budweiser.The Huffington Post: Cindy McCain's Fortune Provides Senator With Private Jets, Vacation Homes (April 3, 2008)

McCain graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1958 and became a naval aviator flying attack aircraft from aircraft carriers.Official Site: About John McCain

He was shot down in 1967 during a bombing mission in North Vietnam and was imprisoned and tortured. He was released in 1973 in accordance with in Paris Peace Accords.Official Site: About John McCain McCain retired from the U.S. Navy in 1981.Official Site: About John McCain

McCain was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, winning Arizona's first congressional district.Official Site: About John McCain

While in the U.S. Senate, McCain pushed for Campaign Finance Reform, cosponsoring the McCain-Feingold Law which aimed to limit "soft money" contributions. McCain also worked to limit earmarks and pork barrel spending.The Arizona Republic: McCain becomes the 'maverick' (March 1, 2007)

In 2007, Senator McCain worked vigorously with the Bush administration to pass the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 which would have provided a legal path to citizenship for immigrant workers.MSNBC: McCain adjusts immigration stance (November 3, 2007)

John McCain has been a staunch conservative in terms of troop deployments in Iraq, arguing that a "surge" of American troops was needed in the country, rather than a withdrawal as congressional Democrats suggested.The Arizona Republic: The 'maverick' and President Bush (March 1, 2007)

McCain came under fire when he told a town hall meeting that he would accept a troop presence in Iraq for 100 years if necessary.CNN: McCain defends '100 years in Iraq' statement (February 15, 2008)

In the final weeks of McCain's 2008 presidential bid, a number of Republican stalwarts announced their support for Barack Obama and/or disenchantment with McCain's campaign. These included Colin Powell, George Will and Peggy Noonan and conservative press icons Chicago Tribune, The New Republic and the Houston Chronicle. Many of these defectors cited disappointment with McCain's reactions to the ongoing economic crisis and the selection of Governor Sarah Palin as running mate.IPS: POLITICS-US: Powell Marks Latest Republican Defection (October 21, 2008)

While polls tightened in the last hours of the campaign, John McCain lost the the presidency to Barack Obama on November 4, 2008. One of the reasons for McCain's loss was that he was unable to win key states such as Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.CNN: CNN: Barack Obama wins presidential election (November 4, 2008) CNN: McCain tries to turn must-win states; Obama stays on offense (November 3, 2008)

McCain delivered a concession speech in Phoenix, Arizona, saying that he admired Obama for his perseverance.

On December 30, 2008, Vicki Iseman filed a $27 million defamation lawsuit against the New York Times which alleged that John McCain and her had engaged in a extramarital sexual relationship. Iseman claimed that the February 2008 feature article which made the allegations caused her "powerful damage" to her reputation, as well as "destructive to the heart and soul of [her] professional identity and sense of personal self-worth.". Iseman claims that her relationship with McCain was "entirely professional, ethical, and appropriate."The Smoking Gun: NY Times Sued Over McCain Affair Story (December 30, 2008)