After a long battle, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) died Saturday at the age of 81. Despite our long list of issues with McCain, he had the courage to stand up for his beliefs (including casting the deciding vote to save the Affordable Care Act last year). Especially compared to the political and moral midgets in his caucus and the unstable Man Baby in the White (Supremacist) House, McCain was a giant.
His biography is well known. He served his country in the Navy, including as a severely wounded POW in Vietnam, during which time he was tortured but emerged a hero 5 1/2 years later. He has represented Arizona, first as a Congressman then as a Senator, from 1983 until his death. He ran for president, first in 2000 (defeated in the primaries by George Bush), then in 2008, when he made the mistake of elevating Sarah Palin to the ticket and national prominence.
We'll let one of his biggest political rivals, President Barack Obama (who, along with Bush was asked by McCain to deliver eulogies at his funeral), speak for most Americans:
"John McCain and I were members of different generations, came from completely different backgrounds, and competed at the highest level of politics. But we shared, for all our differences, a fidelity to something higher-the ideals for which generations of Americans and immigrants alike have fought, marched, and sacrificed. We saw our political battles, even, as a privilege, something noble, an opportunity to serve as stewards of those high ideals at home, and to advance them around the world. We saw this country as a place where anything is possible - and citizenship as our patriotic obligation to ensure it forever remains that way.
"Few of us have been tested the way John once was, or required to show the kind of courage that he did. But all of us can aspire to the courage to put the greater good above our own. At John's best, he showed us what that means. And for that, we are all in his debt. Michelle and I send our heartfelt condolences to Cindy and their family."Rest in peace.
You can read more statements on McCain's passing here.
