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(Photo: AP / CBS)
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Age: 70
Born: August 29, 1936; Panama Canal Zone
Education: U.S. Naval Academy, B.S. (1958); National War College (1973-74)
Military: U.S. Navy (1958-81); served in Vietnam
Family: Married (Cindy); six children
Hometown: Phoenix
Religion: Episcopalian
Career: U.S. Senator, 1986-present; U.S. House of Representatives, 1982-1986; Director, Navy Senate Liaison Office, 1977-81
McCain earned increased visibility after his failed presidential campaign in 2000. Though he did not win the primary against President Bush he is now one of the most popular Republican figures.
2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry attempted to coax McCain into running with him on the ticket. McCain rebuffed his suggestion and supported President Bush.
While flying over North Vietnam as a pilot for the Navy during the war, his plane was shot down and he spent more than five years as a prisoner of war.
McCain is known for his crusade for campaign finance reform and in 1996 was a co-sponsor for the McCain–Feingold Campaign Finance Reform bill. The legislation aimed at lowering the costs of T.V. ads, providing free T.V. for candidates, and banning PACs and soft money. It was signed into law as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BICRA) in 2002.
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