John McCain (Republican) 2

  As I stated on the other candidates' list, he is a great man and a great American, but time has passed him by.  His best shot was 2000 but he did not get it done.  He will certainly not be the republican candidate in 2008 but might serve as an influential voice in determining who wins that nomination.  I think the reference above to his being characterized as a republican maverick in the Senate is incorrect.  He is called a  maverick by members of the press who favor democrats in their coverage.  He is regarded as an elder statesman in the Senate.  Members of the liberal press always call a republican who goes against the party a maverick.  You never hear that flattering term used to describe a democrat (like Joe Lieberman) who goes against the party, though. 

His unflinching support of the war is probably an outgrowth of his experience as a POW during the Vietnam War, while his country lost its collective will to fight the fight it had to continue fighting.  Much like it is doing today.