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

As McCain Shaped Book, Book Shaped McCain

Process of writing memoir recast Republican's political persona

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 13, 2008 2:51 PM CDT

(Newser) – As recently as 1998, John McCain told Esquire that being introduced as a “great war hero” was enough to “make your skin crawl.” Today, however, his POW experience is a pillar of his presidential campaign, a change David Kirkpatrick of the New York Times attributes to the formative process of crafting his family memoir Faith of My Fathers.

Literary heroes have always loomed large for McCain. While writing Faith with Mark Salter in 1999, its storyline, with the POW episode as coming-of-age literary device, fashioned him into one. When huge crowds started showing up at book signings, strategists in McCain’s 2000 primary run realized the story’s power and “reshaped McCain’s political identity” to capitalize on it, Kirkpatrick writes.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain pauses to wave to media as he boards his campaign plane in Washington today.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain pauses to wave to media as he boards his campaign plane in Washington today.   (AP Photo)
I have certainly become a better and enriched person for having had that experience, in a myriad of ways, John McCain says of his experience as a prisoner of war.
"I have certainly become a better and enriched person for having had that experience, in a myriad of ways," John McCain says of his experience as a prisoner of war.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Political campaigns have a way of distorting reality and turning political candidates into caricatures of themselves. In some ways that has happened to him, and in some ways he may have contributed to that. - Robert Timberg, Author, Vietnam Veteran

« 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.

More Newser Stories

Full Game Change Trailer Debuts

Game Change Trailer Stars Terrifying Sarah Palin

Most Popular National Politician Today Is ...

As Earth Bakes, Blame Cowards Like McCain

Senate GOP Quizzes Base About 2012


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne