While we search for heroes to lead us, we have the genuine article in John McCain. Senator McCain has the character and integrity necessary to restore honor to the White House and pride in America.
These words typically reflect standard campaign rhetoric, but they truly describe the qualities John McCain has developed throughout his life. As a 17 year old plebe at the United States Naval Academy, John McCain began his service to our nation guided by the Naval principles of courage, commitment, and honor. After graduating from Annapolis in 1958, Ensign McCain began his 22 year career as a Naval aviator.
While serving our nation during the Vietnam War, Lieutenant Commander McCain persevered through several challenges. In 1967, he courageously helped rescue several fellow soldiers by pulling them out of fire, narrowly escaping death on the flight deck of the USS Forrestal.
Although his commanding officer offered to send him home, Lieutenant Commander McCain vowed to uphold his commitment to his country and volunteered to continue his bombing runs. After 23 successful missions, he was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over Hanoi. The communist Viet Cong captured and savagely beat him, breaking both legs and one arm. His fellow POWs did not think he would survive.
Lieutenant Commander McCain served as a prisoner of war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton for five and a half years, two in solitary confinement. He repeatedly refused his captors' offers of early release, adhering to the "first in, first out" rule of the military code of conduct. Only through his strong belief in God, his country, family, and his fellow soldiers did he survive.
After returning home in 1973, Commander McCain regained his flight status and served until 1981. In 1982, the people of Phoenix, Arizona, elected Captain McCain to represent them in the United States House of Representatives and in 1986 as their Senator.
As he stated at Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity this past Saturday, Senator McCain will use the lessons learned through his experiences to restore integrity to the office of President, reform government, and renew the American dream. He will lead our nation by example and on principle, not partisan politics and polls. His unwavering devotion to our nation has and will always put America's interests ahead of his own.
On both foreign and domestic issues, Senator McCain will work to bridge the growing hostility between the parties by focusing on what's right for America, not what's right for either party.
Senator McCain is more concerned with doing what's right, than what's popular. He is not afraid to stand up for what is right, even if it hurts him politically. He repeatedly disagrees with his own party and fights against the tobacco industry and special interests. He realizes that American citizens are no longer represented in the halls of Congress -- only the special interests are.
For over a decade Senator McCain has advocated comprehensive campaign finance regulations to allow us to regain our voice. He does not accept political action committee or soft money contributions.
These personal restrictions force Senator McCain to get his message out the old fashion way. While all candidates say they want to give us a voice, only Senator McCain has spent time with Dartmouth students on multiple occasions and listened to concerns, aspirations, and dreams. Voters across the nation are responding to his up-close and personal straight talk.
Citizens are recognizing that Senator McCain will not duck any issue, not turn down any town forum, and bluntly answer every question. You will not agree with him on every issue, but you will receive an honest answer.
As evidence of his growing support, Senator McCain recently closed within 10 percent of his opponent for the Republican nomination in New Hampshire and is predicted to defeat either Democratic candidate in the state's general election.
In our nation today, less than 10 perecent of citizens under 25 trust the American federal government. John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln inspired young Americans to take pride in our nation. John McCain displays the courage, character and leadership to do so once again, but please don't take my word for it. If you contact me, I will guarantee you the opportunity to talk with Senator McCain yourself.
As our next President, he will clean up our political process and allow us to believe in America once again.