John McCain has been called a political "maverick" for his willingness to part with traditional Republican ideology. He is considered a party outsider on issues like immigration and the environment. However, McCain maintains a conservative stance on issues like abortion and the Iraq War.

McCain believes that the United States should at least maintain, if not increase, its military presence in Iraq until such time as the Iraqi government and military becomes capable of safeguarding its people. Critics of this position argue that the insurgency in Iraq is a byproduct of the U.S. occupation, and will continue until the U.S. withdraws.JohnMcCain.com: Strategy for Victory in Iraq

• YouTube Video: McCain On Abortion (Time: 0:35)

• Mahalo's Guide to John McCain on Abortion

• LifeNews.com: ...McCain Must Reach Out to Pro-Life Voters to Win (March 5, 2008)

• MSNBC: "McCain Says Roe v. Wade Should Be Overturned" (February 18, 2007)

• Washington Post: "McCain Softens Abortion Stand" (August 24, 1999)

• YouTube Video: McCain - I'd Still Vote Against Bush Tax Cuts (Time: 2:41)

• Mahalo's Guide to John McCain on Tax

• Slate Magazine: The McCain Record: Taxes (July 30, 2008)

• CNBC.com: My Interview with McCain’s Economic Brain (March 6, 2008)

• Huffington Post: ...McCain Brings Phil Gramm (January 21, 2008)

• Reuters: "McCain Outlines Economic Stimulus Plan" (January 17, 2008)

• Washington Post: "McCain's Economic Strategy: Bring in Greenspan" (January 17, 2008)

• YouTube Video: John McCain - Climate change and the environment (Time: 3:42)

• CBS News: How Green Would A President McCain Be? (March 6, 2008)

• CBS News: "John McCain's Hidden Energy Tax" (January 12, 2008)

• Political Intelligence: "McCain Vows to Fight Global Warming" (January 7, 2008)

• MSNBC: "McCain: Energy, Warming are Twin Threats" (April 23, 2007)

• NRDC: "On Earth: Meet Captain Climate" (Spring, 2004)

• AlertNet: McCain's Lonely War on Global Warming (April 1, 2004)

• YouTube Video: McCain on education (Time: 1:29)

• Mahalo's Guide to John McCain Education

• The Boston Globe: The debate on education (March 1, 2008)

• Journal of Higher Education: "N.H.'s Republican Winner and Higher Education" (January 9, 2008)

• New York Sun: "McCain Touts Bloomberg on Education" (December 13, 2007)

• YouTube Video: John McCain on Meet the Press: Stay in Iraq Forever (Time: 5:31)

• Mahalo's Guide to John McCain Iraq

• Mahalo's Guide to John McCain Foreign Policy

• FOXNews.com: McCain explains 100 years in Iraq comment (February 25, 2008)

• Local 10: "McCain Addresses Cuban-American Issues During Stop" (January 21, 2008)

• Salon: "John McCain's Real War Record" (January 17, 2008)WARNING: Pop-ups

• Foreign Affairs: "An Enduring Peace Built on Freedom" (December, 2007)WARNING: Pop-ups

• YouTube Video: John McCain - Health care (Time: 2:46)

• For Our Grandchildren: Expert Interview: John McCain

• Wall Street Journal: "McCain's Medicine" (October 12, 2008)

• Wall Street Journal: "McCain's Health-Care Divergence" (October 11, 2007)

• MSNBC: "McCain Health Care Plan Aims to Give Options" (October 11, 2007)