Each voter have their priorities in what they want to see in a candidate. My priorities are simple. Foremost, I want to see a President that is going to be a strong Commander In Chief. I want to see a candidate that will say what he thinks and not one that will say what he thinks I want to hear. I want to be able to trust the person that is sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office. I want to see a candidate that has experience in several arenas and then surround themselves with individuals of expertise in those areas that they feel weak. No candidate can be perfect and regardless of what they say, they cannot be an expert in all areas.

In regards to agendas, once again my priorities are simple and list is short:

National Defense ~ Strong Military

War on Terrorism

National Security

Border Control

Maintain / Reduce Taxes

and

National Economics

The remaining items that is always on the agenda for election purposes that will take care of themselves if the above list is adhered to would include social programs, health / medical programs, environmental programs, and educational programs.

I feel that the "roots" of a person will most often tell you more about the person than what they want you to know or what they think is "politically correct" . Although, I do not agree with Senator McCain in all aspects in regards to how he has voted as a Senator, at a minimum he has shown that he can cross the isle and work with both parities to achieve a goal. Something that every candidate promises, but seldom follows. Senator McCain has proven that he can, he has, and he will again cross the isle to make a project workable. In one instance, I disagreed with him on his stance of "torture" of Islamic Terrorists. Although, I did not want to see adverse torture but "water boarding" seemed harmless enough, no physical injury, however, he is opposed to it. Being a POW for over five years, I can understand this after the torture he went through. However, it was not until tonight that I changed my mind and have a tendency to agree with him. The United States prosecuted a number of Japanese military personnel following World War II for torture, including that of "water boarding".

However, this posting is more of the "roots" of the man than his political philosophy and why you should consider giving him your vote of confidence. He is an American and has demonstrated his love of his country throughout his life and those of his "roots". He has not always followed the popular path and what was politically correct.

His grandfather, John S. McCain graduated from the Naval Academy in 1906 and served in both World War I and World War II. "John McCain's grandfather was a gaunt, hawk faced man known as "Slew" by his fellow officers and affectionately, as "Popeye" by the sailors who served under him." Admiral McCain" played the horses, drank bourbon and water, and rolled his own cigarettes with one hand. More significant, he was one of the Navy's greatest commanders, and led the strongest aircraft carrier force of the Third Fleet in key battles in World War II". This would include the carrier U.S.S. Shangri-La, in which he raised his pennant on May 18, 1945 (date of my birth) as his flagship (a ship in which I would later serve). Rear Admiral McCain, "who, as Commander Aircraft South Pacific Forces controlled all land based and carrier based aircraft in the South Pacific, including those of the U.S. Army Air Forces. As Commander of the forces, he would take the carrier, Shangri-La and her battle task force, into the bombing raids of Tokyo, earning her the nickname of the "Tokyo Express". His forces sank 49 Japanese ships in a single day. Between July 10th and August 14th his forces would destroy 3,000 enemy aircraft on the ground and in the air. He was present to witness the Japanese surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Four days following the surrendering ceremonies, Vice Admiral John S. McCain would pass away. He was buried with full military honors in Section 3, Grave 4356 at Arlington national Cemetery. Close by is the grave site of his brother, Brigadier General William A. McCain, also a veteran of two World Wars.

Part 2 of 3 will be posted very soon.