Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

How McCain Became a Senate Power

After 2000 defeat, he remade himself as master dealmaker

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 21, 2008 9:00 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Prior to his 2000 bid for the White House, John McCain spent more time mocking his fellow senators than compromising with them. But after his defeat, the Arizona legislator returned to the Senate with a softened demeanor and got down to the business of legislation. The New York Times looks at how McCain cuts deals with everyone from Democrats to his sworn enemies in his own party, and has become the Senate's most powerful member.

"Being the swing guy after 2000, he knew his turf was valuable, and he could use it to achieve things," said a longtime McCain adviser. The senator's supporters say his triangulations over the past 8 years prove that he can forge deals while sticking to his guns. But what some colleagues call shrewd, others call fickle. "You couldn’t tell which John McCain would come to work on any given day," said Dick Durbin.

Senate Republicans takes part in a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 11, 2007, following defeat an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. From left are, Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott of Miss., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
Senate Republicans takes part in a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 11, 2007, following defeat an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. From left are, Sen. Jon Kyl,...   (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Republican Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., talks about legislation he will support in the Senate that will counter the House legislation passed today on Iraq, Friday, March 23, 2007, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Republican Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., talks about legislation he will support in the Senate that will counter the House legislation passed today on Iraq, Friday, March 23, 2007, during...   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, asks a question of Gen. David Petraeus on the future course of the war in Iraq, before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington as committee chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., listens at left.
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, asks a question of Gen. David Petraeus on the future course of the war in Iraq, before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Tuesday, Sept....   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007, supporting the war in Iraq. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, and other veterans supporting the war listen.
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007, supporting the war in Iraq. Senate Minority Leader...   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

McCain parries Iraq questions while Obama travels
USA Today

New McCain ad blasts Obama
Washington Post

 
John McCain • Senate • Dick Durbin • Election 2000 • compromise • triangulation

More Newser Stories

Lawmaker: McCain Killed Soldier Counseling

GOP Support Grows Ahead of START Vote

McCain Is a Digital 'Genius'

John McCain Is Congress's Twitter King

Senator Franken Is Finally Being Funny Again
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne