"I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good. . Look for the sunlight through the clouds" -- President Gordon B. Hinckley ("The Continuing Pursuit of Truth," Ensign, Apr. 1986, 2-4).
Being Super Tuesday, I wanted to do a little background check on who might not only become President, but First Lady. Trying to keep on open mind about whether or not to vote for Obama *if* McCain wins the Republican vote… this article about Cindy McCain doesn’t really win me over on having the ‘McCain’s’ in the White House. She’s a beautiful lady, and does so much for charity. What do you think? Am I missing something about her?
Yes, I am a bit biased, but really Ann Romney’s Profile seems so much better. Ann has a far cleaner background, which to me brings strength and reliability for a First Lady in the White House (View Ann Romney’s Bio) .
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As Seen on TimesOnline.com
ON almost every step of his march towards the Republican nomination, John McCain has relied on the support of his glamorous second wife Cindy. Yet she has not always been a political asset. A Republican victory in November would bring to the White House a formidable but flawed first lady.
McCain’s marriage has long attracted attention both for the 18-year age gap between husband and wife and for their adopted Asian daughter, who became the focus of one of the most vicious dirty tricks of the 2000 presidential campaign.
The couple have also overcome daunting health problems that included McCain’s bouts with skin cancer, a stroke suffered by Cindy in 2004, and her admission a decade earlier that she had become so addicted to painkillers that she was stealing them from a medical charity she ran.
Yet somehow the McCains have emerged as a potent and durable political partnership. Cindy McCain was at her husband’s side last week as he celebrated the Florida primary victory that has put him at the front of the Republican field.
A former Arizona rodeo beauty queen and daughter of a millionaire Phoenix businessman, Cindy McCain was 25 when she met her future husband at a cocktail party in Hawaii. John McCain was a 43-year-old naval liaison officer travelling with a congressional delegation, his sights already set on a political career.
He was also still married to his first wife Carol, although the couple had recently separated. Carol later attributed the breakdown of the marriage to “John turning 40 and wanting to be 25 again”. McCain fell like a brick for Cindy, who was the heir to a brewery distribution business worth millions. For several years afterwards the McCains endured Washington gossip that he had dumped his first wife - who had been crippled in a car accident - in favour of a trophy bride to enhance his political ambitions.
It was in the late 1980s, after a series of miscarriages and giving birth to three children, that Cindy developed spinal problems and was prescribed painkillers after surgery. Her husband and family had no idea she was secretly taking pills stolen from a charity she had created called the American Voluntary Medical Team, which sent mobile surgical units to war zones. When federal agents began to investigate gaps in the charity’s records, Cindy telephoned her husband, a senator in Washington, and confessed.
She admitted at the time that the 1994 episode had “nearly destroyed both of us”. But she underwent treatment and attended meetings of Narcotics Anonymous as part of a deal with prosecutors who dropped charges.
A few years earlier she had visited Bangladesh with a different charity and decided on the spur of the moment to help a little girl with a cleft palate whom she met in Mother Teresa’s orphanage.
The McCains eventually adopted the girl, named her Bridget and raised her as their daughter. She is now 16, but during McCain’s ugly presidential primary fight against George W Bush in 2000, voters in South Carolina began receiving telephone calls suggesting the senator had fathered an illegitimate black child.
The authors of the smear have never been identified, but Bush was the beneficiary and went on to win the South Carolina primary and the Republican nomination. The McCains have never publicly blamed Bush and their relations have been outwardly cordial. But Cindy recently admitted that she keeps a “grudge list”.
Cindy McCain, now 53, claims she has no interest in policy making - “I am not the legislator in this family. He is” - and that she intends to keep busy running her charities and her family’s company. As first lady, it is clear that she would play a key role. Acknowledging that McCain had made many enemies in Republican ranks, she added: “The only person my husband can trust is me.”
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Interesting. So many people overlook the first lady but, as the Clintons and many other families have proven, it is a very important position.
I agree. Thank you for your comment.
Can’t beat Elizabeth Kucinich for a hot first lady!!
http://roissy.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/preview.jpg
Besides, Kucinich really does have the best politics of any of the former presidential candidates. Of course, the fact that he isn’t bought by corporate america makes him “unelectable” whatever that means. I think it mostly means that large corporate media won’t give coverage to anyone not bought by large corporations.
However, he does have, by far, the best environmental policy, the best health care policy, the best peace policy, etc. Oh well, I guess we’ll be stuck with another repugnican, probably Hillary, the best Republican candidate in the running.
Cindy McCain is, and will always be, a home wrecker. Plain and simple.
Sorry…I would rather see a first lady who is her husband’s equal. Not some beauty queen has been who occupies her time with the charities of her choice.
I would hope that she would get involved with programs that help people fight what seems to be a new growing problem “painkiller abuse” she could take her experience to the programs. If that’s not a opt and she just wants to sit around well then she can just at home. “No free Rides”
Strength and Beauty & James:
I agree.
James, she could use her experience and put it to good use to help others. I feel that any effort towards any Charity is good and admirable progress towards improving the World. But I do believe that we all go through trials for a purpose- and that purpose is to take our well-learned lesson and help others out of the same trial that we went through. Our strength is gained by those experiences, and being strong helps others who are weak come out of the battle of the trial and learn from us.
I agree w/ no “free rides” especially in such an important position as President & First Lady.
NO. I don’t want Budweiser Barbie as First Lady for many reasons, starting with the way she began her relationship with McCain.
Those who are sinless can throw the first stone….. How about backing “real” people who hae survived real life prblems. I think John McCain is just that.
who are you kidding ? not us !
It is very hypocritical of the Republican Party to pretend they are all about policies and focusing on serious issues when Cindy Mcain - who behaves as if she is afraid of her husband anyway - decides to speak for the first time ever just to have a dig at Michelle Obama !
My advice to her is please look at yourself before you criticize anyone else !
If your husband put you up to this ….
SHAME ON HIM !!!
A man of his Stature should know better !
Rachel Hunter
not this plastic bimbo airheaded dead looking lady ummm but thats all we had
Respectfully I submit the following opinions for consideration
1. Just because she is beautiful doesn’t mean she isn’t a bright equal to her husband.
2. Her not wanting to deal with public policy simply may mean that isn’t her job.Not that she is dumb.
3. We were not there and we don’t know blow by blow how the McCain’s met and united (I really don’t care at this point )beyond what we have read or not.
4. Juge Less You Be Jugded
Good Evening
I just say Cindy standing next to her husband, but didn’t know who she was so I decided to check by doing a quick search for her on the net. Your website came up in the top 3 and seemed to be the most relevant so I clicked on it. I’m glad you made it and wow, I didn’t know that is his wife! Is she only 18 years younger than him? I thought maybe 30 years difference.. anyway, my only other comment is that John McCain said on TV a couple of weeks ago that his wife has to check his email for him because he doesn’t know how to use a computer. I really don’t think I want someone who doesn’t know how to use a computer running our country.
Anyway, you can add to her list of responsibilities as first lady, that she will be the one checking our President’s email. Would she then be the one responding to emails and is that good?
I just switched from Independant to Democrat here in Oregon so I can vote for Obama in April. I really would like to see younger and more up to date people running the country. McCain is a great guy but about 10 years past his “best years” and not what we need now in the White House.
I agree john, it is a little unnerving that there is a possibility of having a President who will not know how to even check his email? It’s not a HUGE deal - but combine that with someone who confesses that he needs to be more educated on the Economy AND who doesn’t hold strong to whether he wants to vote for or against tax cuts, McCain is a very unpredictable man - I believe.
I’m all for bringing up real issues that influence a Candidate for President, but in my humble opinion I think we can tone it down a bit on calling names. ‘Plastic Bimbo’ is a little harsh I think.
Rebecca,
Thank you so much for creating this site, as we speake I’m watching a breaking story about John McCain and a lobbyist he may have had an affair (Vickie Isman, sorry may have spelled her name wrong) with. I don’t really care about that what I do care about is knowing who will have the ear of our next president, the comment about Cindy McCain maintaining a grudge list really worries me!
Vonne :
Thank you for reading my blog!
I just found a New York Times article on that very issue (McCain’s Affair with Lobbyist) here: For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk
What’s wrong with Cindy McCain’s eyes? She looks really scary.
Whats wrong with Cindy McCains right hand? Is that from the stroke?
I am so glad somebody else noticed Cindy’s
scary eyes, i thought it was just my opinion.
Thanks for the information on Cindy, it was well written and fact based. I just wish we had a better selection for both parties. We have choice between a fascist and a socialist, one is going to pay for everything (wonder if my high speed internet is a right now?) and the other will allow foreign nationals to lower the wages in America and to use our social services for free. Sadly America will not come together until something very bad happens and its in motion due to our 56 Trillion debt that both of these parties made and refuse to talk about. Not until Oil is 10 bucks a gallon, taxes are 50%, and English is the second language will America (I hope) will wake up. Its sad to see this great nation go the way of Rome.
I am a Democrat, but have been curious about Cindy McCane as a woman and all the talk about her character and appropriatness of her becomig a possible first lady. In my opinion, the first lady is not obligated to have a job in the white house. If she cares about issues, great but if she is there just because of her husband’s carreer, why should that matter? I also think it’s sad that people are so jelous to attack and badmouth her simply because she happened to be one of the lucky few who was born in to wealthy family, got beauty and pretty much has it all, and I bet has the lifestyle most of us can’t even dream about. If everyone of us went under the microscope, I doubt too many would remain goody two-shoe. She is a human, and I am just really irked by all the judgmentalism that people do out of envy and their own misery.
Of course, a president of a country should have a good set of morals, right? and an affair with a lobbyist becomes a political issue because naturally it will and probably did affected political decisions and laws. Agree. But at the same time we all know that politics is a dirty business. You won’t find a Mother Teresa types here, so what it really comes down to, is how well can you lie in order to keep your private life pirvate.
That’s my two cents.
Here’s the deal. John is running for president, not Cindy. Does it matter who his wife is? Maybe. However, it that should not be a factor in deciding to cast your vote for Mccain, or not. Example. In the last election Bush vs. Kerry. Many people did not care for Kerry’s wife. Was that fair? No. Just as it is not fair that people would be worrying about who is first lady now. Let’s face it, all politicians have spouses that are almosts always qualified, or appropriate to be in office. In many cases, they are politicians themselves, or they are, or have held important positions in their careers. So, let’s stop making this an issue.
Matt
Good point, I like what you said ["Sadly America will not come together until something very bad happens ..."]
I think it’s so true. It is sad that we unfortunately have a limited and lack of a choice for President in this election. Something will dramatically have to happen to make any change that hopefully will lead us to an uplifting and positive result.
Great point Matt!
Me: Another good point, and I agree with your statement - that a President SHOULD have good moral standards because it does affect ones decision making and life choices which as President affects the people of the United States. If he lies and cheats then wouldn’t it make sense that he would be influenced to lie and cheat not only in his own personal decision making but also in his political decision making? I believe that we should consider in our choices for President the moral integrity along with the experience and [background experience and accomplishments] when selecting a potential leader for our Nation.
Harry:
Harry, you are right to some degree. I don’t know if you’re married, but I personally believe that spouses have a great influence on one another.
Just my two cents
Good Evening,
Sounds like the McCain family has grown through many adversities—However, even as a republican I will have to know who the VP is that is running with Senator McCain—-I must admit, even as a republican Senator Obama is very impressive. His 60 page blueprint for change on his website is also very impressive. Frankly Mrs. Obama is also very impressive and their apparent family values are a breath of fresh air after the past 16 years. I do believe the presidents spouse has taken on a very important role in the White House and has gained far more scrutiny than in earlier presidencies, I also believe that the spouse of a president does in fact play a very important role in US policy whether public or not. As HRC claims a good deal of her so called experience. Just my opinion
whats with the make up…….tone down a bit….i’d like to see her natural. all the monies in the world doesn’t mean good taste..don’t care for him either…no business sense…..also he doesn’t seem in good health….
Chris:
Thank you for your input! I agree with you ["I do believe the presidents spouse has taken on a very important role in the White House and has gained far more scrutiny than in earlier presidencies, I also believe that the spouse of a president does in fact play a very important role in US policy whether public or not."]
I believe a more careful eye has been placed on the spouses of our leaders, and rightfully should be. When you marry, you become a ‘one’ unit. A power house of two people who have great influence on who they lead (i.e. children) and those surrounding them.
*Note for future comments*
As this is MY blog, I am open to most comments and feel that I’ve approved quite a few questionable comments. I do want to let those of you know who go to write a comment below- that I will not approve anymore comments in relation to those about how Mrs. McCain looks, or those that include name-calling. I myself try to keep criticism to a low and keep to discussing issues on behavior and the influence one has towards our future. I want to try and keep the discussion mature, know what I mean? Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but I don’t want that kind of talk on my blog as I try and keep things as positive as I can.
Thanks for understanding.
Hell! She sounds like a patriotic American Cowgirl from the Southwest. I would love to see someone like her as first lady in the White House.
Hearing all the sordid crap about her makes her sound like a real person (woo hoo!) and what the hell she is definitely a trophy wife.
As for McCain his war rhetoric needs to tone down a notch (I mean he isn’t the one fighting anymore and war is not exactly a picnic for those of us who are on the job). He also needs to quit hanging out with that liberal traitor Joe Lieberman.
Based on his choice of Cindy as his trophy wife I am going to have to rethink my position on him (maybe he isn’t so bad after all).
Cindy is a beautiful woman…It is told many times that she met John at a party ..He and his first wife were seperated at the time. So I doubt she started anything in advance of that . She is extremely wealthy and intelligent..not to mention beautiful..Probly could have done much better than John. They have been married many years and its time to stop rattling skeletons .. many people could get hurt. My grandmother use to say you can lock the door on a thief ..but a liar is something that is insidious like cancer. There are a lot of people who get great glee from starting gossip. it’s unfortunate. Her eyes are very pretty and who but a unfeeling idiot would ask if her right hand is damaged due to the stroke?? Must not be she uses a computer sufficently. All you cats out there need you claws trimmed. I feel like this and I am voting for Obama ..political preference need not injure your spirit or cause us to injure any one else. Just remember we cannot all be beautiful or rich or intelligent or ..married to a Presidential nominee. We can all be compassionate, not jealous,or critical and treat others as we would like to be treated.
Mrs. Clinton is a verified liar.
Mr. Obama is clearly associated with those would perpetuate hate.
Mr. McCain is a war hero. Cindy is his wife.
Why is this so hard for people to understand.
GOOD FOR YOU FAITH - REALLY PETTY THINGS SAID. LOOK AT THE ISSUES PLEASE AMERICA. REMEMBER THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES! WHAT HAVE THEY DONE FOR YOU LATELY??
Hillary, I’m so glad you have the guts to run after all you are an amazing woman. For many years men have made a mess in the White House and now it is time for a woman to step in and clean up. Also Geraldine should be your choice for Vice, I wish you the best.
VOTE FOR THE BEST (Hillary) and FORGET THE REST!
It amazes me to see people critisizing someones looks…
It’s mean and childish…
Everyone has an opinion, and some spout it without even knowing the facts or the person themself.
I feel people who say mean things about others, probably
don’t think much of themself and is a way to make yourself feel better by putting someone else down…
None of us our perfect and we all make mistakes…
I for one am voting for John McCain…I think he will make a great president… As for America’s troubles, we all are to blame…we need to spend more time trying to come up with a solution instead of name calling and making fun of peoples looks..
I HAVE MET CINDY.SHE IS VERY LOVELY.
BUT THE MAKE UP IS A BIT MUCH/////
TRUE
MUCH TO MUCH MAKE UP.I ALSO HAVE MET HER AND I THOUGHT SHE WAS MADE UP FOR A PHOTO SHUT.I LATER FOUND OUT SHE WEARS IT ALL THE TIME.
WONDERFUL LADY VERY SWEET AND REAL.
I LIKE HER ALOT.
Why does she have to reveal her taxes. she is not collecting money from the federal government as an employee. her money and her husbands money are seperate. she may be the first lady, not the president, vice president or any public official. the federal government has her taxes, the people dont need to see them, that is a privacy issue. do you want everyone to know your financial status?
The only concern I have with MCCain is his refusal to end the war. A vote for him would mean an increase in our blood sacrifice in IRAQ. We have too many issues in the US we need to address.
As I read through these posts, I can’t believe houw childish some of them are. I mean the name calling, about the make-up, etc. So what if she wear a lot of make-up?? It’s her right. This is still a FREE country sin’t it?? There is a couple of rules I try my best to live by, 1) If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all. 2) Treat others the way you want them to treat you. I have to say good for you Cindy McCain, don’t give up your tax returns. They are your private returns and not John’s.
I want to say, as a veteran, I will be proud to vote again for John McCain in November. I believe he will do what’s best for our country, given his experience. I don’t feel that anyone who has never served in our country’s armed forces should be eligible to run for office as Commander-In Chief.
My opinion
In reading most of these post, I find that most of you must not look in the mirror on a daily basis, for if you would, most of you would see a hypocrite. The brimstone stench that I smell from reading most of your tirades is offensive, so please move to another country where the extermination of the offensive odor can be removed. While you’re there, get a life and expel your hate.
I think you all miss the boat. I don’t want someone who has led a pristine life, leading our country. It is important to know that people make mistakes, and that they are able to learn and live with those mistakes. People who are able to do that, and overcome, are the one’s can bring real insight into difficult times.
War hero? Oh that is rich. This is a man who was staunchly opposed the rescue of his fellow POWs! Before you cast your vote read a little more about ‘Songbird’ McCain’s not-so-illustrious military career. How he was directly responsible for the deaths of 160+ comrades, the loss of expensive (and tax funded) aircraft during non-combat assignments and a list of other such ‘mishaps’. Anyone with half a brain understands that the only reason why he wasn’t court-martialed was because he was the son and grandson of admirals. And his wife? I have nothing against her personally though I cannot say I care for her either. FYI her family has close ties to the mob, that is how their lucrative business rights were secured in the first place. Anyone sitting smack dab in the center of big business and elite politics like that is bad news. The vast majority of us are not in that category. Ultimately the long-term interests of the working middle class and the poor are diametrically opposed to those of the corrupt rich. We will continue to be fleeced by them until we are stripped of our property and our civil liberties. People need to wake up before we are reduced to techno-feudal serfs !
john mc cain will be our next president the media needs to be told they do not run this country. no news about president bush and interns makes the media struggle for attention clinon was too busy to run our country and do you want a first husband in the white house who was impeached and do you really think we don t belong in iraq just when did america become a patsy when we were bombed by using our own planes against us somebody somewhere the enemies of america had to pay we knew he had weapons of mass desruction f he had anyone trained in terrorizim mass weapons of distruction he had and why doesn t the media say any thing about why we went to afgaistan for war how many have died there for america you demcrats are led around by your noses you believe the news networks think for your self america are you influnced by what you are told my mother said dont believe anything you hear and only half of what yu see
It does matter to me very much who the first lady is. I am not supporting John McCain though if it would have been the old McCain I would be.
Cindy McCain should be commended on all of her charitable work, but to me her comments on Michelle Obama’s “proud” comments were out of line. I don’t believe anyone who has not had Michelle Obama’s experiences’ can speak to it. I have had a similar upbringing and I can tell you, while I have loved this country, it has not always loved me. It is a credit TO this country that we are free to have our opinions and not be beat with the “patriot” hammer. And for the record, when it comes to minorities and women this country has a lot to be ashamed of. Period. Everyone does not have that average white American experience. Wish I did, I wish I could have experienced Cindy McCain’s America but that’s not where I live. I am doing the best I can to improve my situation though.
I think anyone that can handle so many hards times in her life and her husband, being a wife and mother. Plus having a career and be an active perticpant in charities in the community. God bless this woman, if she portrays herself in office as well as being comfortable in just a simple pair of jeans in a photo shoot then we all will be blessed to have her in the White House.
I have many resevations about a man who can walk away from his family in a mid life crisis. Then marry a woman much younger then him. If he can leave his family in a crisis, how will he handle a crisis for America? I could never support this candidate.
Hillary should have had the shot…so we could BILL as FIRST MAN!!! Thats all I got!
Cindy is all that a First Lady should be and more, she will make a great first Lady.
God Bless the American family “The McCain’s”.