Former White House hopeful to address students

Former White House hopeful Senator John McCain is to address Trinity College students just days after his country has decided if it wants George W Bush or Senator John Kerry to be President.

The Arizona Senator, who ran a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful campaign against President Bush in 2000 for the Republican Party’s nomination, will address the world famous University Philosophical Society of Trinity College on November 14, it was confirmed tonight.

The former air pilot, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, will address the society 12 days after Americans have cast their vote.

In recent days the Senator has criticised President’s Bush campaign for running an advert which attacks Democrat John Kerry’s military record in Vietnam.

Senator McCain claimed he had been the victim of similar attack ads but declared: “I deplore this kind of politics.

“I think the ad is dishonest and dishonourable.”

The Republican Senator joins a long line of illustrious guests to address the Trinity College society including Alexis de Tocqueville, Frederick Engels, Karl Popper, Bertrand Russell and Winston Churchill.

In more recent years other guests have included Newt Gingrich, former Republican Speaker of the US House of Representatives, ex-South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner FW de Klerk, author Salman Rushdie, comedian Spike Milligan, the Edge of U2, Vivienne Westwood and the voice of ‘Bart Simpson’, Nancy Cartwright.

The society was founded in 1684 by the Rt Hon William Molyneux and Sir William Petty.

Notable past members and presidents have included Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Oliver St. John Gogarty, Edward Carson, former Irish President Mary Robinson and Samuel Beckett.

Current president, Patrick Cosgrave welcomed Senator McCain’s decision to address the society.

“His experience and understanding of American politics and foreign policy will certainly make for compelling listening,” he said.