Anti-Neocons

McCain and Bush do in fact differ sharply on a range of issues, from global warming to embryonic stem cell research to a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

But they have come together on two of the most controversial issues during the Bush administration: the Iraq war and the use of torture. McCain was one of the most ardent advocates of overthrowing the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein. McCain either matched or went beyond President Bush's rhetoric in making a case for war.

The Question of Torture

In late 2005, McCain sponsored an amendment to limit interrogation techniques to those listed in the Army Field Manual, which excludes the use of torture. Vice President Dick Cheney vehemently opposed making the Army's rules apply to the CIA — a position that angered McCain.

"Why is it that some people feel that we should carve out an exemption for a branch of our government to practice cruel and inhumane treatment or even torture," McCain asked.

In the end, the senator agreed to limit the torture ban to the U.S. military. With McCain sitting at his side in the Oval Office, Bush declared that the two men had achieved a common objective to adhere to the international convention of torture whether at home or abroad.

Earlier this year, McCain voted against another effort to bring the CIA in line with the Army Field Manual. But this time, McCain clearly moved in the president's direction.