John McCain has a problem. Long known as a politician with integrity, he now faces criticism for employing as his chief adviser Charlie Black, a lobbyist who worked for dictators. Furthermore, McCain, long an opponent of torture (and a POW and torture survivor himself), a few months ago sided with President Bush when the President vowed to veto the anti-waterboarding bill.

John McCain has an external problem, defending his image to the public. But even more importantly, John McCain has an internal problem: what has happened to John McCain’s soul?

In 2005, McCain introduced an anti-torture amendment to two defense bills. He stood up to President Bush when the President wanted to exempt the CIA from anti-torture restrictions. McCain took the high moral ground, stating:

We are Americans, and we hold ourselves to humane standards of treatment of people no matter how evil or terrible they may be. To do otherwise undermines our security, but it also undermines our greatness as a nation. We are not simply any other country. We stand for something more in the world — a moral mission, one of freedom and democracy and human rights at home and abroad.

After the torture of U.S.-held prisoners at Abu Ghraib was disclosed in 2004, McCain and other leaders vowed to ensure that such terrible acts never occurred again. McCain made his intent clear:

The McCain amendment will make the Army Field Manual on Intelligence Interrogations binding interrogation policy for all those in military custody, and will reinforce the ban on cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees, which the Administration now asserts does not apply to U.S. actions abroad.

McCain claimed that torture not only was wrong, but also undermined US war efforts:

Mr. President, to fight terrorism we need intelligence. That much is obvious. What should also be obvious is that the intelligence we collect must be reliable and acquired humanely, under clear standards understood by all our fighting men and women. To do differently not only offends our values as American, but undermines our war effort, because abuse of prisoners harms – not helps – us in the war on terror.

In 2005, John McCain stood up for what was right, despite severe pressure from the Administration. In this election year, I pray that John McCain will find his integrity again. Now is the time for him to rediscover his strong inner core.

Regardless of which of the candidates any of us wants for President, calling them all to be their best selves will elevate the level of debate and ultimately strengthen the country. John McCain knows how to be his best self. If ever this country needed McCain’s best self, it is now.

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Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D., author of "Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations," works with leaders in business, healthcare, churches, government and non-profits to help them develop spiritual leadership. Visit her website at www.ExecutiveSoul.com. © Copyright 2008 by Margaret Benefiel.