WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Republican Senator John McCain announced that he will seek re-election to the Senate in 2016 during an Arizona Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Phoenix, Arizona.
"[W]ith a full heart, I ask Arizonans again for their support as I seek re-election to the Senate," McCain said on Tuesday.
"I’m as determined as ever to deserve your trust and as grateful as ever for the privilege. It is the honor of my life to serve you and our best hopes for our country and I intend to remain worthy of that honor,” he added.
Leading up to his announcement, McCain sharply criticized US President Barack Obama's handling of US foreign policy and national security.
“Today, Arizonans and Americans are deeply worried about our nation’s security, as they look around and see a world on fire," McCain stated.
McCain criticized Obama’s policy of “leading from behind” as having replaced former President Ronald Reagan’s maxim of “peace through strength.”
“All across the world, our enemies are emboldened and our friends are demoralized," warned the Senator from Arizona, who is known as a hawkish conservative.
McCain is the Chairman the US Senate Armed Services Committee, and has been a strong proponent of US military activities around the world as well as a a vocal critic of Russia.
