The McCain Blueprint

   Senator McCain’s strategy is to legislate and make things happen in Washington, and he continues to prove it.  This week, he made a claim that most people focused on getting re-elected wouldn't dare say.  (Let's just say, I don’t think what you’re about to read went through focus groups.)

Senator McCain joined news legend Bob Scheiffer on Face the Nation
to discuss Ukraine and Russia on Sunday (Image credit).

“I’m ashamed of my country, I’m ashamed of my president, and I’m ashamed of myself,” Senator McCain said this week over the United States’ passivity regarding Ukraine on CBS’s long-standing Face the Nation.

Senator McCain didn't get this move out of the credit-claiming playbook and it isn't the most stellar name-recognition advertising, but he sure is taking a position on the Russia-Ukraine controversy.

The battle-tested 78-year old congressman issued a bi-partisan call for tougher sanctions on Putin’s Russia, paired with increased military support to Ukraine, on Friday.

With his decorated military background, Senator McCain uses his experience and respect to take a difficult stance on a complicated issue of foreign policy.  In addition to being bold on issues, Senator McCain led the piece of legislation that restricts incumbency tools for re-election.

One of McCain’s landmark pieces of legislation is the McCain-Feingold Act, a campaign finance now-law which doesn't allow franking - or free mass mailings to constituents - during a year of an election for the seat held by the Congressperson. 

This, once again, shows McCain’s confidence which is displayed through bi-partisan politicking and taking a strong stance on a tough political issue.  He has a lock on his seat (according to the well-respected Cook Political Report), and clearly his constituents have proven through numerous re-elections that they support Senator McCain and his style.

Senator John McCain hosted newly-elected Senator Joni Ernst
to Arizona this week (Image)

Senator McCain will keep bouncing, a relative term for a slow-moving 78-year old, between Arizona and Washington, D.C.  Earlier this week, he hosted “rising GOP star” Senator Joni Ernst in Arizona according to his Twitter profile.  As a former presidential candidate, and long-time party leader, Senator McCain is an asset for the Republican Party to give legitimacy to folks like Senator Ernst.

Senator McCain will leave the United States Senate on his terms, and will continue to be policy leader for his party and the country until that day comes.