McCain Recalls His Wild Youth
A Biographical Tour

Michael D. Shear and Krissah Williams
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 12:00 AM

Sen. John McCain's trip down memory lane brought him yesterday back to Alexandria's Episcopal High School, where he recalled his "usual immature ways" as a student when he was "captive to the unruly passions of youth."

McCain even joked about his current reputation for having a temper, saying, "I believe if my detractors had known me here, on the Hill they might marvel at the self-restraint and mellowness that I have developed as an adult."

The visit to his old high school came on the second day of the presumptive Republican nominee's week-long "biographical tour," aimed at introducing him to voters.

McCain spoke longingly of his time at Episcopal, paying homage to an English teacher who he said enriched his life "beyond measure." The teacher, William B. Ravenel, had served in World War II and was also McCain's football coach.

"He was simply the best man at the school -- one of the best men I have ever known," McCain told the small crowd.

McCain used the high school venue, and the discussion of Ravenel, to discuss the need for school choice, merit pay for teachers and a renewed focus on standards in education.

"We have let fear of uncertainty, and a view that education's primary purpose is to protect jobs for teachers and administrators, degrade our sense of the possible in America. There is no excuse for it," McCain said.

On Monday, McCain had told reporters on the campaign plane that he would advise today's youth against mimicking his teen behavior.

"I recommend against it strongly," he said. "It makes for colorful stories, but you pass up opportunities for learning and maturity."

THE HEALTH-CARE DEBATE

Elizabeth Edwards, Fighting Back

Elizabeth Edwards has kept a low profile since her husband, former senator John Edwards (N.C.), suspended his run for the Democratic nomination three months ago. But she emerged last weekend with an attack on Sen. John McCain's health-care plan.

Edwards, who has cancer, said that under the presumptive GOP nominee's health-care plan, she would not be covered, a charge McCain's aides dispute.

Edwards expanded on that claim yesterday at the Wonk Room, a new policy blog published by the liberal Center for American Progress, pointing out that McCain has also had cancer. But she said his health plan would be "devastating . . . to people who have the health conditions with which the Senator and I are confronted (melanoma for him, breast cancer for me) but do not have the financial resources we have."

Such people, she continued, "are left outside the clinic doors."