ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the public psychology sources of Senator John McCain's surprisingly powerful candidacy. It also examines the questions that were raised about his temperament and the public response to them. The chapter focuses on his own behavior at key points of his candidacy and their implications both for what peoples came to learn about the author and for his suitability for the presidency. Nonetheless, over the course of a campaign, especially one that is contested, an attentive observer can discern patterns and make more informed judgments about aspects of a candidate's psychology. These data, and others that could easily be added, suggest that yes, the public was responding to the McCain candidacy through the lens of their own wishes for a different kind of leader. The chapter concludes with some observations on the role of McCain's heroic leadership and whether it represented a good fit with the culture of American leadership expectations.
