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Among the Republican field, John McCain is a rare breed of politician — a man who consults his conscience instead of the latest polls, a man who puts his country’s interests above his own, a man who tells voters the truth rather than what they want to hear. On the campaign trail, he distinguishes himself from rivals on both sides by refusing to pander to local special interests and to his party’s fringes. As Republican voters in 21 states go to the polls today, The Sun deems him the best of the field in the GOP primary.

McCain has centered his campaign on national security. And unlike his GOP rivals, the former POW boasts the military experience and foreign-policy expertise to back up his hawkish views. Yet McCain appreciates the importance of soft power — he spoke out passionately against the use of torture in interrogation, arguing that it would be shortsighted for America to sacrifice the moral high ground.

McCain has consistently demonstrated his willingness to work across the aisle. He refuses to indulge in the sort of partisan demonization that has poisoned our political atmosphere throughout the Bush-Clinton era. While his record is conservative (a lifetime 82 percent rating from the American Conservative Union), McCain tries to put his country before his party — a fact that explains his widespread appeal among independents. Long a lonely voice against corruption and pork-barrel spending in the Republican-controlled Congress, McCain promises to return his party to the principle of fiscal responsibility. He has also stayed ahead of the curve on the environment, for years warning skeptical Republicans of the reality and urgency of global warming.

McCain’s chief rival, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, has run a campaign of dissimulation, flip-flopping on the issues of abortion, gay rights, stem-cell research, gun control, tax cuts, global warming, immigration, campaign finance reform, and the war. His changes of heart might seem more sincere if they didn’t always break so conveniently in the direction of political expediency. As for foreign-policy experience, Romney’s is limited to having twice dined at an International House of Pancakes. Once again, Republicans have a choice between Senator McCain and a thoroughly unworthy governor. We hope they get it right this time.

Click here to read The Sun's Democratic Endorsement