McCain's Record Mostly Conservative

AP

Presidential candidate John McCain has fought hard to gain his label as an independent, by chastising fellow Republicans and seemingly working across party lines. This tactic may have alienated him from parts of the Republican party, but he hopes it will gain him the crucial independent vote in November.

Apart from his label as an idependent, McCain's Senate voting record is purely conservative.

The AP released a story outlining his records and positions on key topics.

The likely Republican presidential nominee is much more conservative than voters appear to realize. McCain leans to the right on issue after issue, not just on the Iraq war but also on abortion, gay rights, gun control and other issues that matter to his party's social conservatives.

He is also a supporter of a long term continuing presence of American forces in Iraq.

Project Vote Smart provides a full listing of McCain's Senate voting record grouped into specific topics.

McCain does support stem cell research, which has gained him the ire of social conservatives nationwide. Similar dissaproval comes from the monetary conservatives because of his support of campaign finance reform, the attempt to make money less influential in politics.

On most issues McCain remains strictly conservative. But, the few issues that make him eye candy for independents may sour his chances for full conservative support this November.