From honorable officer to one of the most craven, pandering politicians we have. He appears to be set on a course to show that Trump was right when he claimed McCain never deserved to be considered a hero.
7
How many really bad choices does one politician get to make?
Sarah Palin as his VP pick was stupendously bad.
Cosying up to Trump is at least as bad.
Time for John McCain to hang it up and go home.
Sarah Palin as his VP pick was stupendously bad.
Cosying up to Trump is at least as bad.
Time for John McCain to hang it up and go home.
10
For McCain, to be at a loss when a WWII vet from a German POW camp, asks him "why Donald Trunp, would say this about us" speaks volumes. I'm floored that he has not spoken up about his sacrifice and that of countless other American heroes in the face of an insult from a man who has sacrificed nothing for his country. And who sees no valor or value in doing so. Go out on a high note John, and repudiate the insults levelled at you and all American servicemen and women. You deserve it. I, too will always respect you for your service to our country.
8
The Keating Five?
"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran"?
Making fun of the looks of an adolescent girl (First Daughter Chelsea Clinton) on national TV?
Elevating a person of Palin's caliber to a presidential ticket?
No one can question McCain's extraordinary war service (except, of course, for metastasizing national cancer Donald Trump).
Nonetheless, McCain lost all claim on our respect long ago.
"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran"?
Making fun of the looks of an adolescent girl (First Daughter Chelsea Clinton) on national TV?
Elevating a person of Palin's caliber to a presidential ticket?
No one can question McCain's extraordinary war service (except, of course, for metastasizing national cancer Donald Trump).
Nonetheless, McCain lost all claim on our respect long ago.
9
Do the border agents realize, that if Trump builds the wall, the need for them pretty much disappears ?
4
All the liberals here saying how McCain folded in the face of Trump don't won't him or Trump to win anyway. Guarantee: Trump will put McCain's integrity and
conservative qualities to very good use if/when he is elected.
conservative qualities to very good use if/when he is elected.
1
I never knew John McCain was a wimp.
Up to this point John McCain has been his own person. His support of, rather than his standing up to Donald Trump, makes him someone I am now waiting simply to forget.
Up to this point John McCain has been his own person. His support of, rather than his standing up to Donald Trump, makes him someone I am now waiting simply to forget.
7
Politics involves unfortunately a certain amount of (figurative) prostitution. But at some point, it is disgusting. To see all the GOP leaders line up to kiss Trump's ring is a sad, shameful spectacle for our nation.
17
I respected McCain and voted for him the first time, but after Palin and then this I only feel sorry for him. Senator, this would be a good time to take the honorable retirement you deserve.
10
As if we needed more reinforcement for either term limits or a mandantory retirement age for elected officials. Seventy-nine and still clinging to his job! Sadly, John's career, like so many others, will probably end on a negative note because they cannot walk away from the money, power and special parking privileges at the airport. I believe John was a war hero but he is not taking a heroic stance now. He has sacrificed his moral code just to stay in office for another term. A lost opportunity to take the high ground and reveal Trump for what he truly is, a name calling bully, of which McCain was a recipient, Never a Romney fan but he is the hero now. McCain and others like him are an embarrassment. History will remember who did what during this critical time.
11
Not a quark of ethics remains in the Republican field.
7
A haiku:
For Shame John McCain
Pailin wasn't bad enough!
And you Ryan too.
For Shame John McCain
Pailin wasn't bad enough!
And you Ryan too.
7
No self-respect, huh, Sen. McCain? You don't have an answer for the WWII vet, a fellow p.o.w? As you back a man who insulted p.o.w.s?
You hope to convince younger voters to trust you, as you support a man they rightly reject? You hope to woo Latinos who're angry with Trump? Incredible.
We go from Ali...to you??
6-5-16@10:41 pm
You hope to convince younger voters to trust you, as you support a man they rightly reject? You hope to woo Latinos who're angry with Trump? Incredible.
We go from Ali...to you??
6-5-16@10:41 pm
8
McCain lost my respect when he chose Sarah Palin, who is even more unqualified than Trump, as his Vice President
He generally chooses to side with Republican obstructionists and deniers over scientists and the good of the American people in order to benefit his career.
McCain is now showing cowardice by choosing Trump and his career over the good of the American people
It is past time for McCain to leave public life.
He generally chooses to side with Republican obstructionists and deniers over scientists and the good of the American people in order to benefit his career.
McCain is now showing cowardice by choosing Trump and his career over the good of the American people
It is past time for McCain to leave public life.
7
It is time for Mr. McCain to retire from office. That he can support Mr. Trump is an outrage to any veteran and to any decent Republican. Fecklessness has replaced service as the ethos of our long-serving GOP Congressional leaders who would rather see the nation they purport to love and honor handed over to a lunatic. Mr McCain gave us Sarah Palin, that in itself should have him removed for incompetence and senility, but now to publicly back Mr. Trump? John, pack it in and go away... do that one last kind act for your country and your State.
7
He truly knows how to pick them. First Palin, now Trump. Retire already.
5
Rep. Kirpactrick, if all goes well: Welcome to the Senate.
6-5-16@10:21 pm
6-5-16@10:21 pm
5
The Anglos and Celts will vote for McCain as long as he distances himself from, not Trump, but rather the neo-cons.
What a phony maverick. And how instructive history is! On the day that Muhammad Ali dies, it's worth noting the comparison: Ali sacrificed three years of the prime of his life for a principle, while maverick John McCain, for nothing more than political expedience and self-interest, embraces a lunatic bigot who called him an incompetent and a coward.
Trump was right: McCain is a coward.
Trump was right: McCain is a coward.
9
For a man like Sen. McCain that resisted the torture of the North Vietnamese as they broke his arms, I am amazed and disappointed to watch him humble himself as he endorses a pathetic human being like Trump. What happened to this man that once had both courage and integrity, to so degrade himself in pursuit of reelection? It baffles me.
16
What a truly aweful way to end his career; and for what? A shot at another six years in the cesspool of the Senate where he will accomplish nothing.
How could he be a coward in the fact of Trump after being held as a POW? A surprising and disgusting maneuver indeed.
How could he be a coward in the fact of Trump after being held as a POW? A surprising and disgusting maneuver indeed.
12
Senator McCain who suffered torture in a North Vietnamese Communist prison never wavered in his loyalty to America and what our country stands for. But, along comes Donald Trump and all that goes out the window. Now we see Senator McCain forgetting our country's heritage and bowing down to the ultimate fraudulent 21st century fake; the new
P T Barnum! Shame, Shame on you Senator!
P T Barnum! Shame, Shame on you Senator!
11
Remember when Joe Lieberman, a Democrat and Al Gore's running mate, endorsed McCain for President and spoke at the Republican convention?
Obama was no Trump, but Lieberman thought he's too inexperienced to be president. So Lieberman took a big political risk, and said:
"I'm here to support John McCain because country matters more than party.
...
I'm here because John McCain's whole life testifies to a great truth: being a Democrat or a Republican is important.
But it is not more important than being an American."
McCain happily pocketed the endorsement, but feels no duty to live up to it when the tables are turned.
Full speech at http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/conventions/videos/transcrip...
Obama was no Trump, but Lieberman thought he's too inexperienced to be president. So Lieberman took a big political risk, and said:
"I'm here to support John McCain because country matters more than party.
...
I'm here because John McCain's whole life testifies to a great truth: being a Democrat or a Republican is important.
But it is not more important than being an American."
McCain happily pocketed the endorsement, but feels no duty to live up to it when the tables are turned.
Full speech at http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/conventions/videos/transcrip...
10
Awesome! Time for a new face in the Senate.
6
@JAB,
Yes. If this does the trick. Rep. Kirkpatrick, go for it. Obama t.k.o.'ed McCain in '08 for the White House. Take him for the Senate seat. It's time.
6-5-16@9:58 pm
Yes. If this does the trick. Rep. Kirkpatrick, go for it. Obama t.k.o.'ed McCain in '08 for the White House. Take him for the Senate seat. It's time.
6-5-16@9:58 pm
4
It is so sad to see John McCain in this situation. But he has shown in the past being re-elected was more important than the good of the country when choosing Sarah Palin as his vice-president. He had a chance to redeem himself by not endorsing Mr. Trump, but he did; proving once again his willingness to make a deal with the devil just to be re-elected....and he should lose his seat for making this deal.
I will always thank him for his service.
I will always thank him for his service.
10
I have ( or had ) always admired Senator McCain. Maybe as the years and responsibility and expectation of valor and patriotism have not let up, it has just too hard to keep taking chances, risking alienating what has been he has always known as his base. The Republican values he still upholds are not what this new, frightening mob honors any more. I hope Senator McCain remembers that his personal identity is of value and not betray himself, and us all, any further. He is one of the last who can stand and represent the best of the best American values.
7
So McCain is supporting a draft avoider who belittles McCain's - and by extension all Viet Nam era vets' - service and many sacrifices during that war. What price power, John McCain? Sad to say I lost respect for you when you cynically unleashed Sarah Palin on the American public. But at 79, you could have been a hero again by standing up to and rejecting this bully. Well, we can dream.
12
In this week when we mourn The Greatest,we are reminded about his true courage,not just to get into the ring but his even greater moral courage to NOT get in the ring when he was standing up for what he knew was right.
With all due respect, Sen McCain is not showing us that level of moral courage.
With all due respect, Sen McCain is not showing us that level of moral courage.
10
I like all these comments that begin ... "I respect John McCain ... but"
Must have forgotten that McCain was one of the Keating 5. A real honor, that.
Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.
Yep, a dignified fellow deserving or your respect.
Must have forgotten that McCain was one of the Keating 5. A real honor, that.
Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.
Yep, a dignified fellow deserving or your respect.
10
For all the McCain supporters, why?
He has been a war monger all of his career. Yes, war may be necessary, but
"Bomb, bomb, Iran". So wonder the Vietnamese treated him rough after he dropped bombs on their families.
Then he inflicted Sarah Palin, who was probably underqualified to be Mayor of Wasilla. And someone who still has not gone away, and has only encouraged the ignorant to speak up and spout nonsense.
And now Trump.
If you will not use your power for a purpose, why have it. So, then if he wins and Trump wins, will he be restraint, or more likely to continue to be a rubber stamp.
McCain supporters, like Ryan supporters, live in a dream world that these two men have integrity. For that I blame the press.
He has been a war monger all of his career. Yes, war may be necessary, but
"Bomb, bomb, Iran". So wonder the Vietnamese treated him rough after he dropped bombs on their families.
Then he inflicted Sarah Palin, who was probably underqualified to be Mayor of Wasilla. And someone who still has not gone away, and has only encouraged the ignorant to speak up and spout nonsense.
And now Trump.
If you will not use your power for a purpose, why have it. So, then if he wins and Trump wins, will he be restraint, or more likely to continue to be a rubber stamp.
McCain supporters, like Ryan supporters, live in a dream world that these two men have integrity. For that I blame the press.
10
McCain has other problems. He is no longer a maverick and thus not as attractive to the independent voters. Age is a issue. And he's being pushed by Arizona's rabid right as too liberal, directly opposite of his being no longer perceived as independent. So good luck John. It would have been a great year to retire. You'll really regret it if you win and end up in the minority.
5
You know the country is in real trouble when people like John McCain would sell their soul in order to get re-elected.
12
The Press's pet Republican supports the Republican nominee for president, and another little angel falls from the sky. The press's crush on McCain has always been a strange delusion. Donald Trump's attack on Muslims disqualifies him, but McCain's little bomb bomb bomb Iran song in 2008 just made him more of a "maverick." Mccain's reputation with the media is not inexplicable. The poobahs of the media are mainly white males who have a strong crush on military men - but who have never served themselves. And McCain's advocacy of standard Republican economics favoring the wealthy have favored them. However, he's never been the figure they so assiduously made him out to be. A time was going to come when fantasy met reality, and the party would, for a while at least, stop. But this will be forgotten and forgiven soon enough, and McCain will continue to be plastered allover the news talk shows. A horrible figure whose reputation is symbolic of the sad state of the media today.
5
I'm reading today about Muhammed Ali and his principled stand and how it cost him his career--but not his soul. Senator McCain could take a lesson from this...or not.
11
@Irene,
Muhammed, yes. McCain......
6-5-16@10:01 pm
Muhammed, yes. McCain......
6-5-16@10:01 pm
1
I'm certain that he is a man who deserves our greatest respect even if we disagree (sometimes vehemently) with his decisions. I wish he had repudiated Trump as a moral determination even if he sacrificed his Senate seat - after all, he's nearly 80 years old and has been a Senator for nearly 30 years. He could have gone out in a stroke of heroism if he lost.
5
@sbmd,
Deserves our greatest respect? He's just backed Trump and stands by his support of the Iraq war. You're kidding, right? I reserve my greatest respect for the Gandhis, MLKs, Gloria Steinems, "Birdie" Sanders and Alice Walkers of this world. He's nowhere that caliber.
6-5-16@10:13 pm
Deserves our greatest respect? He's just backed Trump and stands by his support of the Iraq war. You're kidding, right? I reserve my greatest respect for the Gandhis, MLKs, Gloria Steinems, "Birdie" Sanders and Alice Walkers of this world. He's nowhere that caliber.
6-5-16@10:13 pm
3
John McCain is the GOP poster child for what hypocrites the Republicans are. They have no problem using veterans as props, they tout their extensive support from veterans organizations (that aren't even real), the refuse to allow the Senate to take up a vote to engage with our enemies in Afghanistan, they flail about wildly if anyone fails to genuflect at the Military-Industrial Complex Altar, while at the same time McCain says absolutely nothing - not one single word - in defense of those very same veterans who have served, captured or not.
He is simply yet another rich, white, old Republican man with far too many houses to have any grip on reality, a billionaire heiress wife, and no desire to do one single thing in the US Senate to actually help veterans of any war, or their families. And he has no respect for all the people in this country who are forced out of their jobs because, well, they are over 50. Yet, pushing 80, this tired old excuse is still there.
Real vet organizations should be opposed to McCain, the latest clown version of a leader. Even if they don't the courage to actually stand up for what they are supposed to represent, every single veteran in this country should vote against all the GOP candidates who don't care one whit about any veterans.
He is simply yet another rich, white, old Republican man with far too many houses to have any grip on reality, a billionaire heiress wife, and no desire to do one single thing in the US Senate to actually help veterans of any war, or their families. And he has no respect for all the people in this country who are forced out of their jobs because, well, they are over 50. Yet, pushing 80, this tired old excuse is still there.
Real vet organizations should be opposed to McCain, the latest clown version of a leader. Even if they don't the courage to actually stand up for what they are supposed to represent, every single veteran in this country should vote against all the GOP candidates who don't care one whit about any veterans.
11
McCain is a weakling. If he really believed in what he stands for he would, 'just say no to Trump' Backing Trump even after trump said he was not a here. However he is a politician that will do anything to keep his seat. When he loses perhaps the media might remind him of where his houses are located so he can clear his office and go home.
9
Senator McCain was a war hero, but now he sacrificing his country for his political survival. Now he is a coward.
9
Muhammad Ali honourably risked all in order to speak up for his principles. Senator McCain, on the other hand, has apparently arrived at a point in his life where all principles be damned: in their defence he wouldn't go so far as to risk missing out on coupon for two for one pizza.
9
Why is anyone surprised that Republicans are falling in line for Trump? They've demonstrated over and over and over again that they put their ideology above what's good for the country. They'd back Satan if he looked like a winner.
12
Yon Cassius was an honorable man.
How could someone with the fortitude of McCain who could survive a Vietnamese POW camp, lower himself to such a state? It is a sad commentary on a once illustrious career.
How could someone with the fortitude of McCain who could survive a Vietnamese POW camp, lower himself to such a state? It is a sad commentary on a once illustrious career.
12
My old home state of Arizona seems to magnify two dominant forces in current American politics: know-nothing, aging, and mostly white grumps pining for the 1950's and younger, idealistic, and mostly non-white emerging voices. McCain seems clueless about the new crowd, and therefore must pander to the old guard, no matter how distasteful.
13
John McCain once was an honorable man. No longer. In truth, McCain lost my respect when, having decided his election was more important than his country, he put Sarah Palin on his ticket. This is the last straw. Any memory of my respect for John McCain as a soldier-hero and as a politician willing to speak the truth has utterly evaporated. I'll be making a contribution hoping to help enable his defeat. Darth McCain has murdered the man he once was.
12
What changed in Arizona? McCain got re-elected many times despite bucking his party -- or maybe because of it. Why has that become impossible? Did the state change drastically in six years?
5
The article says that McCain favors "markets". He favors markets that have been tilted in favor of the biggest corporations. Don't believe me? Look at his record. He doesn't care a whit about the regular person. In that regard, he is the perfect Trump supporter.
10
Allegiance given Trump comes with such an offensive cost to sanity and a general level of decency and in that, a complete disregard and disrespect for what this country holds as sacred. It reveals no sincere attachment to anything other than the worst aspects of politics. It shows a pathetic attempt to hang on to some veneer of power by selling any of the miniscule amount of respect he had left, after the Sara Palin ploy. It is far from dignified, far from being an honorable statesman and so far from being a leader.
7
I am a progressive Democrat and I have been one since well before I even knew what the "appropriate label" for my beliefs was :-)
I have always voted for McCain as Senator.
Although I didn't vote for him as President (solely because of Sarah Palin...had he chosen someone like Colin Powell for running mate, would've been a different story), life would have gone on just fine if he'd won.
I am not the only Democrat in Arizona who supports McCain. There are MANY of us and he stands to lose us if he continues this un-Maverick-like behavior of supporting Trump.
Did he not learn ANYTHING after the whole Palin debacle?!?!?!?
I have always voted for McCain as Senator.
Although I didn't vote for him as President (solely because of Sarah Palin...had he chosen someone like Colin Powell for running mate, would've been a different story), life would have gone on just fine if he'd won.
I am not the only Democrat in Arizona who supports McCain. There are MANY of us and he stands to lose us if he continues this un-Maverick-like behavior of supporting Trump.
Did he not learn ANYTHING after the whole Palin debacle?!?!?!?
10
Shame on you, McCain. I have lost all respect for you.
9
Trump said he would order the US military to torture our enemies. Trump's order would put our servicemen and women in the impossible position of choosing between disobeying the Commander in Chief and violating international law and our military's own code of conduct. In supporting Trump, McCain is putting his own petty political interest ahead of the welfare of those who wear the uniform of our armed services. They trusted him. In supporting Trump, McCain has betrayed that trust.
12
Why can't these politicians and elite ever just walk away?
10
Sen. McCain has lost his way in his support of Donald Trump. Time for him to retire !
8
So … When was the last time a high ranking, long serving Senator did not publicly endorse his/her party's nominee for president? They overwhelmingly tend to hold their noses and go with the flow.
1
I respect his service to the country but questioned his judgement when he chose an idiot for a running mate. Now he endorses Trump who doesn't even respect veterans that McCain should defend against insults? What happened to the straight talk express? What happened to principles? Sometimes enough is enough and retiring is worth more than one more term. Retire with dignity otherwise you have just become a compromised politician who doesn't want to give up power. Where values are clear decisions are easy unless you can't give up power.
8
How sad it is that McCain has declared an alliance with Trump. Of all people, John McCain must surely have learned the drawbacks of short-sighted alliances with grossly incompetent persons. If only incompetence was their only fault!
Trump is beyond just incompetence. He is recklessly so. In fact, he is unapologetically and proudly incompetent.
Worst of all, what Trump spews goes against everything that makes America exceptional.
Ironically, the man who boasts to make America great again is the man who would shatter our exceptionalism, for at his core, he knows not the power of modesty, or even feigned modesty. He is a showman (likely with little to show except for what was inherited).
To such a person, John McCain has allied himself. My god, why?! Out of fear of incurring the wrath of Trump? Really? Surely, McCain who survived as a POW has greater courage and depth of character than this. Or, has his time in the slimy pits of the senate stripped away the character and strength of spirit he developed in a prison camp?
In a year of political ironies and surprises, this is indeed a fitting endorsement from Mr. McCain, once a respectable maverick and now reduced to a senator clinging to hold on to his power through tactical calculations.
Trump is beyond just incompetence. He is recklessly so. In fact, he is unapologetically and proudly incompetent.
Worst of all, what Trump spews goes against everything that makes America exceptional.
Ironically, the man who boasts to make America great again is the man who would shatter our exceptionalism, for at his core, he knows not the power of modesty, or even feigned modesty. He is a showman (likely with little to show except for what was inherited).
To such a person, John McCain has allied himself. My god, why?! Out of fear of incurring the wrath of Trump? Really? Surely, McCain who survived as a POW has greater courage and depth of character than this. Or, has his time in the slimy pits of the senate stripped away the character and strength of spirit he developed in a prison camp?
In a year of political ironies and surprises, this is indeed a fitting endorsement from Mr. McCain, once a respectable maverick and now reduced to a senator clinging to hold on to his power through tactical calculations.
11
Another Republican lacking principle and intestinal fortitude. How did you ever survive a Vietnamese POW camp, John? Did you capitulate then too? Of course not. But you then would hardly recognize the you of today.
5
What a weakling. No principles.
8
I have lived in Arizona for ten years and have come to realize that it is the extreme summer heat here that turns a politician's brain to mush. I once had respect for Sen. McCain and even supported his candidacy for president in 2000. Something has truly snapped in the senator's brain to now come out and support Trump. Arizonans have Sheriff Arpaio, Senator McCain, and Donald Trump, what more do we ask for other than the politicians we deserve. Lord please help this nation.
7
"... the compliant politicians of our Western states, such as Babbitt, DeConcini, Goldwater, McCain, Hatch, Garn, Simms, Hansen, Andrus, Wallop, Domenici and Co., Inc. -- who would sell the graves of their mothers if there's a quick buck in the deal, over or under the table, what do they care."
-Edward Abbey, 1988
-Edward Abbey, 1988
5
John McCain is the worst Trump sell-out of all. He should retire gracefully, with the same dignity he showed as a POW.
What a great voice he could be for VA reform and other veterans' reform. A political life should not just be about getting re-elected.
What a great voice he could be for VA reform and other veterans' reform. A political life should not just be about getting re-elected.
8
McCain supporting Trump is what is wrong with our Country. It shows ideology Trumps all else. Trump is not a Republican, he is not a Democrat, he is a small minded individual who has not discussed policy from a substantive perspective. He is a reality star who is making a mockery of our Country.
9
Don't you wish great American heroes like McCain would risk a loss of reelection to stand up for what they believe in, i.e., opposing as unAmerican everything that Trump is? I for one would think him an even greater hero for doing so. (And it would do something to redeem his allowing Sarah Palin to be foisted upon him as his running mate.)
3
All those who board the S.S. Trump will go down with that ship even if he wins. McCain has right before our eyes and others will too.
8
Et tu, Brute? No! We can't let you betray everything you have worked for up to this point. It's a mistake. Take it back! Don't surrender your legacy to the Trump Brown Shirts!
8
It is extraordinary that a man who has lived with honor, can now support some one like Trump. The dogma, pledges, single-mindedness of the conservative movement leaves nothing scared in it's path.
5
It's called "intergrity" . My dad would always say it's in dark and desperate times that you know how much intergrity a person possesses. Contrast the late Muhammed ali who was willing to loose everything standing for principles he belived in. Integrity a virtue that is becoming very rare in supply these days.
8
In yet another shameful surrender, a proud stalwart of the GOP falls into the Trump ranks. McCain has--like Ryan--put party unity above the good of the country. He has linked himself to one of the most venal, racist, soul-destroying tyrants to come down the pike since George Lincoln Rockwell.
Then again, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. He is, after all, the same man who chose Sarah Palin to be his Vice President after only a thirty minute conversation!
Then again, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. He is, after all, the same man who chose Sarah Palin to be his Vice President after only a thirty minute conversation!
7
John McCain's surrender to Donald Trump is both awkward and pathetic He cannot call himself a Senator of the UNITED STATES. No dignity, no decency.
8
You introduced us to Sarah Palin and you now endorse, Donald Trump.
Where is your decency, Mr. McCain?
Where is your decency, Mr. McCain?
14
Pathetic. McCain has been changed into a pathetic thing he's not by the party he supports. To run as a Republican check the box "no spine"
8
Unfortunately, This great man lost his spine the day he allowed Sarah Palin to be his running mate.
6
A shadow a shadow of a human being. McCain = zero ethics, zero integrity, zero credibility.
9
It is not hard to understand, it is either Trump or Hillary - and Hillary is a continuation of the past 8 years and all that has done to the US. Loss of jobs, more racism now than when Obama took office, an almost $19 Trillion debt, a weakened military, loss of respect from many world nations, uncontrolled illegal immigration, no borders, and a threat from ISIS with no solid plan on how to address.
1
You people have got to start sharing your drugs. Or, your secret for travel to your alternate universe.
16
I once was an unabashed admirer of John McCain. Yet, this Navy aviator who chose to stay with his men rather than be released from the "Hanoi Hilton," has ascribed to the same cowardice as the GOP - "Hear something, do nothing!"
If Congress was a kindergarten, we'd be instructing its members to stand up to the bullies; now they hide in the cloak room and pray Trump won't call them out on Fox news. How pathetic.
If Congress was a kindergarten, we'd be instructing its members to stand up to the bullies; now they hide in the cloak room and pray Trump won't call them out on Fox news. How pathetic.
17
I always thought John McCain was an honorable man. I guess I was wrong.
11
“Back in the Middle Ages, I was known as the maverick,”
In your own mind, perhaps. Actually, you just follow the herd.
In your own mind, perhaps. Actually, you just follow the herd.
7
Why would he choose to degrade himself this way? Why not just retire at 79 and go out with his head held high?
18
I used to respect Senator McCain. His ego has gotten the best of him. Where are his friends and family who should have convinced him that it was time to retire. Afterall we don't EXPECT people in Congress to have the job for life. It's sad that he can not see himself contributing to this country any other way.
14
Every time you see a major Republican endorse Trump, you should understand that it is not about party unity, but that they actually fear him. Do we want any of this?
14
Oh John, really after all he said about you being captured. You're better than this. Take it back.
13
I'm not a Republican, but there are some I have respect for. It is sad to see even the ones I have a modicum of respect for sell out to this "candidate." Said, sad, sad!
9
Just like Walker, they will hold their nose, not endorse the candidate but support the nominee (no matter how deficient the nominee). They are selling their "support" just in case Trump wins. It has nothing to do with ideas, solutions, policy or any of the other mundane facts it actually takes to run a government (or the ability of the nominee to actually have ideas, solutions, policy or any of the other mundane facts it actually takes to run government).
4
Can someone explain to me the difference between Sarah Palin and Donald Trump?
6
Palin is both stupider and even less informed. She also genuinely believes the religious claptrap, while Trump just paid a little unintentionally comical lip service to the people he calls "the evangelicals."
Who would be more dangerous in the oval office? Hard to say.
Who would be more dangerous in the oval office? Hard to say.
5
I'm not sure I agree. Trump is arguably clever in his niche -- self-promotion and screwing people in real estate deals, which he learned from daddy (Though I'm not actually even sure this is true. My friends in commercial real estate are not too impressed with him, except for his ability to be successful in licensing his name.) -- but he is fundamentally an unintelligent person. Probably on a par with the Alaskan Intellectual. And I have never heard Trump say anything that indicates he is informed on any issues facing the nation. Every word from his mouth is ignorant, dangerously so.
McCain embraced George Bush after the thoroughly disgusting primaries on the 2000 election. This is no surprise.
6
Senator McCain picked that other winner, too, Sarah Palin. Even war heroes are wrong sometimes and have to be fired, as in President Harry S. Truman showing Gen. Douglas MacArthur the door.
8
McCain is many times the war hero MacArthur was.
MacArthur, as a leader, was escorted safely out of the Philippines, although he did of course keep his promise to return. McCain's eartime experience was more akin to the Bataan death march.
McCain's record is also distinguished by his voluntary refusal to leave the Vietcong POW camp without his fellow inmates despite having the opportunity because of the rank of his father.
Another dissimilarity: McCain endured torture (without breaking). MacArthur was never held in captivity or tortured.
That having been said, I'm among those appalled and saddened by McCain's genuflection to a man of the caliber of Donald Trump. Not to mention his disgraceful attempt to inflict Sarah Palin on the nation.
MacArthur, as a leader, was escorted safely out of the Philippines, although he did of course keep his promise to return. McCain's eartime experience was more akin to the Bataan death march.
McCain's record is also distinguished by his voluntary refusal to leave the Vietcong POW camp without his fellow inmates despite having the opportunity because of the rank of his father.
Another dissimilarity: McCain endured torture (without breaking). MacArthur was never held in captivity or tortured.
That having been said, I'm among those appalled and saddened by McCain's genuflection to a man of the caliber of Donald Trump. Not to mention his disgraceful attempt to inflict Sarah Palin on the nation.
6
Ever since the 2nd inauguration of President Obama it seems, the leadership of the GOP , that when dealing with the Executive Branch of government, have attempted to institute their own bizarre form of scorched earth tactics. And over time it has become painfully apparent that these maneuvers to date have done nothing so much as confuse and confound even the GOP's most ardent supporters; cumulating in the nomination of a complete outsider and loose cannon to head the the Republican Party. What is even more apparent at this late date, and surly historians of this period will find borderlines on farce, is the efforts that this same GOP leadership is currently making to twist, turn and otherwise lubricate the way for their avowed fall-back nominee to fit a familiar conservative narrative, if not wholly into an establishment Republican mold. From all indications though currently, Mr. Trump is the one pushing and pounding the leadership to make the fit, and without even the curtsey of much lubrication or a simple, " By your leave".
7
Arizonans have known McCain better than others for many years. Most important, we know what he does at election time and, in short, he does whatever has to be done to get elected. McCain is a senator from Arizona, but he is not an Arizona Senator. He cares about what Arizonans care about every sixth year. Arizona Republicans voted solidly in favor of Trump in the primaries. For McCain to take on Trump before November would be political suicide. Facing a serious challenge from the Democrat, it is something he simply cannot risk. Those who think that McCain has made a decision that means anything more than "I want to get elected", need to talk to an Arizonan. McCain surely does not like Trump and would prefer to take him on,, but his first, second and third rules are to get elected, Any Arizonan knows that.
11
Nice analysis. Now let's see if you're right and he takes on Trump after the election. Why do I feel that's not quite as obvious to any Arizonian?
2
At least he's not crazy enough to believe in Cliven Bundy and chemtrails, like his right-wing opponent who sold her failing health clinic to the government to help get Obamacare started up Lake Havasu way.
1
That senile traitor can kiss my rear end. He threw my American children under the bus for illegal aliens and their anchor babies. Juan McCain is no hero. He's a FAKE American, and deserves not one ounce of respect.
2
You never know who really has integrity until it is tested. Too bad.
10
What!? If GOP leaders don't care enough about basic human decency to reject an authoritarian, unprincipled, racist, con-artist bully as their standard-bearer, don't they at least care enough about the future of their party to avoid the catastrophe he is for their party's reputation? Their own reputations too. This is an existential moment of definition for the Republican party.
10 Things Every Politician Who Endorses Donald Trump Should Be Forced to Defend: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/05/_10_thi...
10 Things Every Politician Who Endorses Donald Trump Should Be Forced to Defend: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/05/_10_thi...
7
John MaCain should do the right thing and speak his mind instead of kowtowing to Trump in order to keep his position in the senate. By doing the right thing he will keep his dignity and serve the people of the country. As he said “Back in the Middle Ages, I was known as the maverick,”. I used to admire him for that quality. Please, Senator McCain, be true yourself!
3
The end of the ethical Republican Party.
5
McCain has demonstrated that on the two most important occasions when called upon for his judgement he has opted for the politically expedient at the expense of the long term health of the nation. The first twas o select Sarah Palin as his running mate and the second to endorse Donald Trump.
Despite a long and illustrious career these moments will define his career.
Despite a long and illustrious career these moments will define his career.
9
This man was a genuine war hero - derided by Trump who never served at anything. The utter sadness that his life and contribution will only be known for introducing Sarah Palin as a possible inhabitant for the White House (if his aged heart gave out) and grovelling to the man who so derided his genuine service.
10
If, when the good Senator passes to his great reward, he becomes the pinnacle of hagiography as is suggested by these comments, I shall vomit. This tough old bird will in the end deserve a tough old eulogy, not a glowing assessment that ignores his preponderance of questionable actions and decisions over the course of his life. From last in his class, to wrecking 4 aircraft, to dumping his wife, to Keating, to Palin, to this, John McCain has first and foremost always been about John McCain.
6
Was that also true when he declined to leave his fellow prisoners when offered early release from the Vietcong prison based on his father's status, Suffering additional years of torture?
John McCain is a complex and flawed man who has indeed disgraced himself, but a number of the items on your list rate as either dubious or ridiculous.
John McCain is a complex and flawed man who has indeed disgraced himself, but a number of the items on your list rate as either dubious or ridiculous.
3
Westchester - I did not rate my line items for value as they in total make my point, whereas you grasp at straws. No man on the planet in his position would leave incarceration early, he'd have been disgraced. He was offered release as a propaganda tool, as the first thing he did after capture was state that his father ran the Navy (as told by the infamous Rolling Stone bio.) He was a supposed fighter pilot not a clerk, you'd think he'd have the minimum of courage, at least enough to bomb civilians.
2
You know, it's quite possible to loathe McCain's lousy decision without making up nonsense about his war record.
2
2nd time this year McCain puts party before country. 1st was when he joined the Supreme Court blockade. Like Trump, the blockade is offensive and dangerous. Offensive, because saying that Obama does not represent "the people's voice" impugns a valid election. Dangerous, because nothing limits such claims to Supreme Court appointments: if it's right to ignore the president just by citing the calendar, he can't govern.
McCain used to say that "elections have consequences": that if people elect a Democratic president, Republicans should not block his appointments just because they can, i.e. that partisan priorities should _sometimes_ be voluntarily sacrificed for the sake of good government. In the same vein, he pushed campaign-finance reform. He was a statesman; now, he's just a politician. What a loss.
McCain used to say that "elections have consequences": that if people elect a Democratic president, Republicans should not block his appointments just because they can, i.e. that partisan priorities should _sometimes_ be voluntarily sacrificed for the sake of good government. In the same vein, he pushed campaign-finance reform. He was a statesman; now, he's just a politician. What a loss.
14
Hero no more
11
What a maverick.....no not maverick, what was that again? Oh right.....a spineless jellyfish sellout who would trade another term in the senate for his very soul.
16
What a motley crew in Arizona: Arpaio, Brewer, McCain, all for Trump (at least in public where it counts!), and as a sort of balance - Janet Napolitano formerly the Democratic governor and now the head of Univ. of Caif., Raul Grijalva, and of course Gabby Giffords! Perhaps Senator McCain, now soon to be 80, should just call it quits gracefully and tend to his BBQ!
9
Senator McCain, have some faith in the citizens of Arizona that you have served for so long.
MORE of them will vote for you if your reject Mr. Trump, NOT fewer.
MORE of them will vote for you if your reject Mr. Trump, NOT fewer.
13
I've lost every shred of respect I ever had for him. I'm voting for Ann Kirkpatrick.
12
Better to lose your seat and keep your self-respect, Sen. McCain.
11
If John McCain had any respect for his constituents, he would retire. Instead, we'll have the pleasure of kicking him out.
12
I'm sure what's at play here is the Republican view that Trump is the lesser of two evils, Hillary being the other. So he swallowed his pride and decided to follow the party line. Of course, this isn't the first stupid decision he's made. Remember Sarah Palin?
12
This old man decided it was a good thing for the country to put Sarah Palin one heart beat away from the presidency. No sympathy. He is only consideration is his own political survival.
12
The GOP's principle priority for decades has been freedom from shame. It's grueling to watch the entire burden of shame that they tried to deny land on them all at once. What a tragedy that they didn't hold themselves to a higher standard.
5
It is far beyond sad so see Senator McCain reduced to groveling at the feet of an unabashed bigot who has insulted the Senator and countless others with no bit or regret or an apology. A patriot like the Senator should never have to leave his principles and intellect at the door, but he has effectively done just that, all of his own volition. At a time when we are mourning the passing of a great principled man, Ali, the hipocracy of these Republican senators and congressmen provides a sharp and lasting contrast.
12
Palin and now Trump? Some maverick.
15
One day McCain may grow the spine he lost in 'Nam.
4
Funny how many of these comments deride John McCain for supporting his party's presidential nominee despite his personal distaste for Donald Trump. Essentially, McCain is putting aside his feelings for the greater good of his party. If anything, McCain exhibits a quality sorely lacking in America--loyalty. Where is the same outrage for African-American and female legislators who support Hillary Clinton? Trump is a blowhard whose bark is worse than his bite. Clinton, on the other hand, has demonstrated her disdain for African-Americans and women. She and her former co-President, Bill, zealously advocated for harsh sentencing laws which ultimately resulted in the mass incarceration of African-American men. Hillary is an ardent advocate for women's rights, which she proudly touts at every campaign stop--unless you are a "bimbo" who made the unfortunate mistake of crossing paths with her licentious husband. How, in light of these egregious facts, can members of the Democratic party support Hillary Clinton? Simple: loyalty to their party.
1
When draft-dodging bunion sufferer Trump slandered John McCain, he slandered all combat veterans. ("Hero?!? He got CAPTURED! I like people who WEREN'T captured, OK?")
I never thought that I would see a man like John McCain bowing down to a man like Donald Trump, but that day is here.
I never thought that I would see a man like John McCain bowing down to a man like Donald Trump, but that day is here.
5
Putting party over _group_ (African-Americans, women) doesn't compare to putting party over _country_, as McCain is doing.
3
A hypocrite proved so craven and desperate to not only choose, but to this day vouches for the qualiifications of the idiot Palin shows he will bow down to anyone to wear the cloak of power
11
McCain has done and said so many things to damage his good reputation over the last few years that he's buried his last shred of integrity and become one of the walking dead. This is the man who proposed placing Sarah Palin a heartbeat from the presidency. That he would now endorse an obvious demagogue who has attacked him personally should prove there is nothing left of John McCain but an autonomic impulse to keep running for office.
13
John McCain suffered all those years in a prison camp, is this now John McCain's choice for the future, makes one ask why?
4
Here is my summary of the gist of the comments I have read on this article: John McCain is more concerned about retaining his Senate seat, than he is about the fate of the country under a President Trump.
All who agree with this assessment, please raise your hand. Thank you.
All who agree with this assessment, please raise your hand. Thank you.
14
Hypocrite. But who is surprised?
6
McCain has been in politics since 1982, in the house for the past 34 years. That he would prefer to tarnish his career, rather than give up his seat in the senate, says a lot about the state of our so called democracy.
10
I wouldn't say he's "gritting his teeth." McCain made his choice, and he hasn't been a "maverick" for a long, long time.
11
McCain still chafes at not making Admiral.
3
McCain turned down the promotion to admiral in order to begin his political career in Arizona running for Congress, this after divorcing his first wife and then marrying way above his pay grade...
1
@HapinOregon, respectfully, that is a myth. The SecNavy is not involved in the flag officer selection, other than to approve the list of recommended candidates, and Lehman had been on board for only two months before McCain submitted his retirement papers. His name was never on a list of candidates recommended for promotion to Rear Admiral. Other flag officers also dispute that claim and cite his marital issues as being a stumbling block.
2
I stand corrected on the promotion, thank you...
1
I have never agreed with him politically but always respected him as a man of principle and certainly respected his military service and bravery as a POW. When he picked Palin as his running mate I lost some of the respect but as they, thankfully, lost the election that can be forgiven. The fact that McCain and other R leaders are willing to ignore the stench of Trump and support him demonstrates that they have all abandoned any pretense of caring for the good of the Nation over raw political power. They have, of course, with the unstinting obstruction, disrespect and outright hatred of President Obama supported the views and attitudes that give rise to a creature such as Trump. A sad situation for our great Nation.
12
Oh, and by blindly falling in step with the party system, he just proved what's wrong with it in the first place.
6
He gave up all values he ever had, if he had any.
7
These are the same people who have lambasted President Obama for the last eight years . They said Barack Obama is destroying america ! They have some nerve ! Anyone looking at this has to wonder " have they no shame " ? I thought that W was hitting bottom , politically . It seems that the political bottom has a trap door and it is called the republican party !
11
Hillary and John were once good friends. I found an old article about their relationship which is worth a read. I don't know if once Obama got the nomination and Hillary pledged to do everything that she could to get Obama elected, this relationship changed. It would explain John McCain joining the "anyone but Hillary -and-the-devil-with-the-consequences" camp. I think that could explain his endorsement of Trump other than old age and fumbling around for another term in the Senate.
Here is what John had to say about Hillary back in 2008:
__And then the Arizona Republican said this about the wife of the only Democrat to be elected twice since FDR: "Sen. Clinton has earned great respect for her tenacity and courage. The media often overlooked how compassionately she spoke to the concerns and dreams of millions of Americans, and she deserves a lot more appreciation than she sometimes received.
"As the father of three daughters, I owe her a debt for inspiring millions of women to believe there is no opportunity in this great country beyond their reach. I am proud to call her my friend."__
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/06/mccain-clinton.html
Time passes, people change, friendships die...
Here is what John had to say about Hillary back in 2008:
__And then the Arizona Republican said this about the wife of the only Democrat to be elected twice since FDR: "Sen. Clinton has earned great respect for her tenacity and courage. The media often overlooked how compassionately she spoke to the concerns and dreams of millions of Americans, and she deserves a lot more appreciation than she sometimes received.
"As the father of three daughters, I owe her a debt for inspiring millions of women to believe there is no opportunity in this great country beyond their reach. I am proud to call her my friend."__
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/06/mccain-clinton.html
Time passes, people change, friendships die...
7
"Gritting His Teeth, McCain Links His Fate to Trump"
Gritting his teeth, McCain sinks into the gutter with Trump to win reelection. God! What principles! What honor! He's a disgrace, as are all of the Republicans who climb on board with Trump, the degenerate liar and hate monger.
Gritting his teeth, McCain sinks into the gutter with Trump to win reelection. God! What principles! What honor! He's a disgrace, as are all of the Republicans who climb on board with Trump, the degenerate liar and hate monger.
9
We just sunk deeper into the Fall of the Roman Empire....
14
I've had always had enormous respect for Senator Mcain, even though I disagreed with a lot of his policy ideas. Since the beginning of this term, it seems like his principles and ethics have been replaced by more and more status quo party-line stances on very important issues. The maverick has pretty much devolved into the puppet of special interests and the party. Aside from his other worst decision, made on behalf of the party, Sarah Palin, nothing compares with this failure - support for Mr. Trump.
10
When my best friend observed that her husband seemed to be acting less morally and less intelligently; she assumed it was a brain tumor. It wasn't. Still, I've wondered about Sen. McCain's brain function since he allowed Palin to campaign with him. I wish he'd get tested and treated. A man who has served and sacrificed as he has deserves our compassion. But we can allow neither senility or psychopathy to be elected.
Even highly competent people are much challenged by American needs and hopes, by the operation of a government so huge, by the temptations of public life...We must select our most able candidates, ones more interested in service than power.
Even highly competent people are much challenged by American needs and hopes, by the operation of a government so huge, by the temptations of public life...We must select our most able candidates, ones more interested in service than power.
8
I do hope Senator McCain reads these comments.
13
I suppose there is more chance that McCain reads the NYT. We know that neither Trump nor Palin does.
1
They know how to read?
1
Now we know how he survived 5 years in captivity----
4
By not appreciating what Mr McCain has shown under pressure is perhaps to not appreciate how far from our heroic view of him he really is.
6
Why do people like Senators McCain and Hatch seek to cling to power well into their dotage? They desperately cling to power only to put it, for the most part, to obstructionist ends. They then defend their obstructionism with the most transparently fallacious of arguments.
Are these two the best that the GOP have to offer as "elder Statesmen"?
Tolerating Donald Trump's candidacy must be a low point in these two Senators' careers.
Have we become a thoroughly shameless society in which even "elder statesmen" shamefully must appear to endorse the most shameful of candidates?
Are these two the best that the GOP have to offer as "elder Statesmen"?
Tolerating Donald Trump's candidacy must be a low point in these two Senators' careers.
Have we become a thoroughly shameless society in which even "elder statesmen" shamefully must appear to endorse the most shameful of candidates?
13
Add the 82 year old Grassley to your list.
7
McCain is safe. Latinos in Arizona, simply stated, don't bother to vote.
Latino nemesis Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who may be in criminal contempt of court, has institutionalized the profiling of Latinos.
He is running for a SEVENTH term virtually unopposed in his own party or by Democrats.
Likewise, county recorder Helen Purcell, accused recently of voter suppression in the Arizona primaries when she reduced the number of polling places in the county by 2/3rds, is likewise running unopposed.
Like the sheriff, she is under federal investigation.
Former governor Jan Brewer, who signed SB1070 into law, the "papers please" law, won re-election handily.
Latinos will reap what they sow if they continue to ignore the ballot box in the southwest.
Latino nemesis Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who may be in criminal contempt of court, has institutionalized the profiling of Latinos.
He is running for a SEVENTH term virtually unopposed in his own party or by Democrats.
Likewise, county recorder Helen Purcell, accused recently of voter suppression in the Arizona primaries when she reduced the number of polling places in the county by 2/3rds, is likewise running unopposed.
Like the sheriff, she is under federal investigation.
Former governor Jan Brewer, who signed SB1070 into law, the "papers please" law, won re-election handily.
Latinos will reap what they sow if they continue to ignore the ballot box in the southwest.
14
2016 is a new chance. Hispanics are registering in record numbers.
3
But they don't vote!
Trump is exposing the greedy and opportunist Republicans for what they are, a bunch of cowards and bigots.
14
I joined the Republican Party specifically to vote AGAINST John McCain in as many elections as possible. What he is doing to the US government, freezing the due process of Supreme Court nominations is unconscionable. At this point in his career the honorable Senator is a threat to American values.
It is not surprising he is caught in tangling alliances. The Arizona that electected McCain has changed, the Republican Party that once nominated him for president has changed. It's time for the senator to step off the stage.
It is not surprising he is caught in tangling alliances. The Arizona that electected McCain has changed, the Republican Party that once nominated him for president has changed. It's time for the senator to step off the stage.
6
Donald Trump's insult to Senator McCain was an egregious and treacherous slap at all American service personnel who have been prisoners of war, and is especially insulting coming from a draft-dodger. Senator McCain's endorsement of Trump, however half-hearted, makes it appear as if he has accepted Trump's personal "hierarchy of war heroes." Better that the Senator had held up the honor of prisoners of war and repudiated Trump, rather than taking a position which could be read as an acceptance of Trump's scorn for prisoners of war.
He may have lost his Senate seat in the process, but he would have done so defending the valor of his fellow warriors.
He may have lost his Senate seat in the process, but he would have done so defending the valor of his fellow warriors.
9
To believe that McCain has sinned, you have to buy totally into the Democrat P.R. blitz which holds that Donald Trump is the walking, talking incarnation of Adolf Hitler.
I wonder why lefties always turn to Hitler when they want to label a Republican? I mean, Joe Stalin and Chairman Mao combined to dramatically shorten the lives of TEN TIMES AS MANY innocent victims as Hitler butchered. Further, the Nazis were not deeply into brainwashing and thought control of conquered peoples, because subject peoples could never become an Aryan German superman. Subjects did not have to believe in Nazi theology, they only had to fear it.
Communism is totally different. If you have incorrect thoughts and you were tolerated to live, you had to be properly re-educated. Thoroughly.
I just left church after listening to a Romanian woman who has been personally honored by Joe Biden in a White House ceremony for her work with the women and children of Romania, basically the white slave meat market of Europe.
She spoke first about the lingering heritage of communism, where the critical survival instinct was to never trust anyone. Even members of your own family could be an informer. Trust no one. Absolutely trust no one, trust no words of sympathy or any words loaded with political implications.
I don't know if Donald Trump will survive the perfect firestorm of anger and hate being directed at him from all quarters. I do know that he probably isn't as bad as they say. Destiny may pick him.
I wonder why lefties always turn to Hitler when they want to label a Republican? I mean, Joe Stalin and Chairman Mao combined to dramatically shorten the lives of TEN TIMES AS MANY innocent victims as Hitler butchered. Further, the Nazis were not deeply into brainwashing and thought control of conquered peoples, because subject peoples could never become an Aryan German superman. Subjects did not have to believe in Nazi theology, they only had to fear it.
Communism is totally different. If you have incorrect thoughts and you were tolerated to live, you had to be properly re-educated. Thoroughly.
I just left church after listening to a Romanian woman who has been personally honored by Joe Biden in a White House ceremony for her work with the women and children of Romania, basically the white slave meat market of Europe.
She spoke first about the lingering heritage of communism, where the critical survival instinct was to never trust anyone. Even members of your own family could be an informer. Trust no one. Absolutely trust no one, trust no words of sympathy or any words loaded with political implications.
I don't know if Donald Trump will survive the perfect firestorm of anger and hate being directed at him from all quarters. I do know that he probably isn't as bad as they say. Destiny may pick him.
1
No, to believe that McCain has debased himself, all you have to believe is that draft dodger Donald Trump's slurs against McCain's war service – – and, by extension, that of all of our combat veterans – – was unforgivable.
5
I'm a combat veteran, and I have even chatted with McCain and other former guests of the Hanoi Hilton about how close I was to them one night in 1972.
War experience colors ethical ponderings. The warrior Arjuna had a long conversation with Krishnu because Arjuna was getting cold feet about starting a great civil war. Arjuna particularly hated the fact that many of his favorite family members were in the opposing army.
Krishnu explained (this is all Bhagavad Gita stuff) that life and death are illusions. Arjuna's dharma might compel him to go ahead and start the fighting, but he could do so without accruing bad karma as long as he was dispassionate and professional about the bloody fighting.
In this view the duality of a civil war is irrelevant. One outcome of an action is not morally superior to the other possible outcome.
Arjuna was so impressed with this advice that he begged the great god Krishnu for a glimpse of himself. This is the light of a 1000 suns that Robert Oppenheim was reminded of at the Trinity test.
War experience colors ethical ponderings. The warrior Arjuna had a long conversation with Krishnu because Arjuna was getting cold feet about starting a great civil war. Arjuna particularly hated the fact that many of his favorite family members were in the opposing army.
Krishnu explained (this is all Bhagavad Gita stuff) that life and death are illusions. Arjuna's dharma might compel him to go ahead and start the fighting, but he could do so without accruing bad karma as long as he was dispassionate and professional about the bloody fighting.
In this view the duality of a civil war is irrelevant. One outcome of an action is not morally superior to the other possible outcome.
Arjuna was so impressed with this advice that he begged the great god Krishnu for a glimpse of himself. This is the light of a 1000 suns that Robert Oppenheim was reminded of at the Trinity test.
1
Communism is neither good nor bad. It's an economic system. Period. Any society's economic system can be perverted when the leaders are perverted. Stalin did not represent communism. He represented statism, fascism, xenophobia, genocide and absolute power. Trump would very comfortably wear the mantle of a Stalin-in-the-making, presiding over a statist, not communist, society.
3
Perhaps Trump has done us a favor by exposing the biased, unprincipled underbelly guiding the GOP.
12
Oh what a dance with the Devil.
11
John McCain demonstrates that above all else he will say and do pretty much anything to get re-elected, principles and self-respect be damned.
9
Good for John McCain! Maybe now we can replace him with a Democratic non-war mongering Senator who isn't in the pocket of the military industrial complex that Eisenhower warned us about.
24
Consider going online to contribute to John McCain's Democratic opponent, Rep. Ann Fitzpatrick.
6
Another Republican casting their integrity to the wind when push comes to shove. Hey Republican voter, how about you?
11
Until the past 8 years, I always liked and respected Senator McCain though I did not vote for him when he ran for President in 2008. I thought he considered country first and party second and admired his courage and service. I still do admire the latter in terms of his period in the military and his pre-2008 years as a senator. But with his role in choosing Palin and now supporting Trump he has shown a different side which is both reckless and selfish. It is sad to think that part of his legacy and certainly what will be written about him in history will be linked with those two unworthy members of his party and his putting his own prospects before the country's welfare.
11
Which is the greater mistake: picking Sarah Palin or this?
I felt bad for him when the Bush machine did him in in the 2000 SC primary. Not any more. I'd have respected him more even if he had lost without selling himself out again.
I felt bad for him when the Bush machine did him in in the 2000 SC primary. Not any more. I'd have respected him more even if he had lost without selling himself out again.
13
Who holds the reigns of the GOP party so tight that the GOP candidates will sacrifice their self-respect and beliefs in order to preserve their loyalty to the party? The NRA, Rove, Norquist, Kochs, Adelson to name a few?
McCain is an honorable POW and I used to see him as a fair man despite his hawkish views. Trump's nasty POW comment months ago was in such poor taste that I began to have my doubts about Trump's true nature. I want the illegals to go home and I want to let the middle east work out their own wars themselves. I do not want refugees from ISIS countries here without thorough vetting and Trump's expose on our corrupt political system was spot on.
But then Trump simply revealed that he is so lacking in integrity, class and an ability to manage his anger and grossly under-informed. I am staying with the Dems; however Debbie W.S. has to go.
McCain is an honorable POW and I used to see him as a fair man despite his hawkish views. Trump's nasty POW comment months ago was in such poor taste that I began to have my doubts about Trump's true nature. I want the illegals to go home and I want to let the middle east work out their own wars themselves. I do not want refugees from ISIS countries here without thorough vetting and Trump's expose on our corrupt political system was spot on.
But then Trump simply revealed that he is so lacking in integrity, class and an ability to manage his anger and grossly under-informed. I am staying with the Dems; however Debbie W.S. has to go.
24
McCain sold his soul in 2008, so this comes as no real surprise.
I hope he loses his seat.
I hope he loses his seat.
9
How sad that at this late in his life McCain decided to throw away what little dignity, integrity, pride, and self-respect he had left.
4
I think McCain has made a strategic mistake. Republicans in Arizona are not going to vote for the Democrat, so McCain should have taken the high road and not endorsed Trump.
Because even if he angered Trump supporters in Arizona, where would they go? He could have said something like, "I have fought my entire life for freedom and I'm not going to give my support to someone who doesn't truly believe in it."
And if that didn't work, he should have been willing to walk away. IMO, by not confronting Trump, he looks like a coward and he tarnishes his record of public service.
Because even if he angered Trump supporters in Arizona, where would they go? He could have said something like, "I have fought my entire life for freedom and I'm not going to give my support to someone who doesn't truly believe in it."
And if that didn't work, he should have been willing to walk away. IMO, by not confronting Trump, he looks like a coward and he tarnishes his record of public service.
8
Just lost respect for John McCain.
5
Once again politicians have busted the myth that politics is all about high-minded principles. In the real world it simply boils down to acquiring power at any cost. Talk of anything else is merely a hypocritical diversion.
So, thank you Paul Ryan. Thank you John McCain. Thank you Mitch McConnell. And thank you Donald Trump. With your examples leading the way we no longer have to suffer needlessly with any shame or guilt because of our lapsed moral responsibility.
You can all shut your hypocritical faces now. The deed is done. Don't spoil what you've accomplished by some mealy mouthed backpedaling. We can all go about our grubby little lives, in the shadows of your self interests. And, with your help, Trump can proceed to turn Washington D.C. into Moscow On the Potomac...where the rule of law is replaced by might makes right, diplomacy replaced by petulant tantrums, and the Enlightenment never happened.
Thanks again. Even though you have no idea what you have achieved.
So, thank you Paul Ryan. Thank you John McCain. Thank you Mitch McConnell. And thank you Donald Trump. With your examples leading the way we no longer have to suffer needlessly with any shame or guilt because of our lapsed moral responsibility.
You can all shut your hypocritical faces now. The deed is done. Don't spoil what you've accomplished by some mealy mouthed backpedaling. We can all go about our grubby little lives, in the shadows of your self interests. And, with your help, Trump can proceed to turn Washington D.C. into Moscow On the Potomac...where the rule of law is replaced by might makes right, diplomacy replaced by petulant tantrums, and the Enlightenment never happened.
Thanks again. Even though you have no idea what you have achieved.
4
I don't understand. Why not do what you said, Mr McCain? Why not stand up for what you said you believed? You never believed it? Trump was poison then but now he's OK? What respect I had for you is now gone. Retire. Go away.
4
What's clear is that there are a lot of people cultivating a Brand - which is mostly myth-building. And many brands/myths are being punctured this year.
Self-inflicted wounds.
But if you go back in history, you can see the youthful escapades, the liaisons, the leaving of one wife for another, the cultivation of an aura about a person.
McCain and Trump have many commonalities, if you examine the life and not the myth.
Paul Ryan too has his "brand" - and we know how he cultivated that myth of how fast he ran a marathon.
Lot of myths being cultivated. And a lot them folding this year - like so many punctured balloons.
Oh, how the mighty are falling this year.
Self-inflicted wounds...
Self-inflicted wounds.
But if you go back in history, you can see the youthful escapades, the liaisons, the leaving of one wife for another, the cultivation of an aura about a person.
McCain and Trump have many commonalities, if you examine the life and not the myth.
Paul Ryan too has his "brand" - and we know how he cultivated that myth of how fast he ran a marathon.
Lot of myths being cultivated. And a lot them folding this year - like so many punctured balloons.
Oh, how the mighty are falling this year.
Self-inflicted wounds...
4
He will do anything, including reckless actions, to stay in or gain office. He continues to support the Iraq war, a war based on lies, and which is the root cause of ISIS. He picked the deeply incompetent, aggressively ignorant. Sarah Palin, a disaster to his campaign, a harpy of hate and poison, and like a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, endorses a proto-Fascist who demeans his heroic war record and insults him. He deserves one thing: to go away.
5
First Sarah Palin and now Donald Trump.
John McCain does not deserve any respect from the public. It should be obvious to all that he is willing to sell his soul in order to be elected. McCain is just another dime-a dozen politico, a famous face in the crowd that is leading our nation to certain ruin.
If there is any justice in politics Trump will lose by a landslide and take McCain down with him. It will be a fitting end to a political career that should have been over long ago.
John McCain does not deserve any respect from the public. It should be obvious to all that he is willing to sell his soul in order to be elected. McCain is just another dime-a dozen politico, a famous face in the crowd that is leading our nation to certain ruin.
If there is any justice in politics Trump will lose by a landslide and take McCain down with him. It will be a fitting end to a political career that should have been over long ago.
7
Shame on you Senator McCain. You've sacrificed your self respect and your status as a long standing senator and patriot for the likes of an out of control demagogue. Your decision to follow your party, regardless of the potential cost to our nation and your Mexican-American constituents, is proof that you no longer deserve the position you seek for reelection. The dilemma you face is of your own making!
7
1200 comments and counting, 99% of them representing one great big national gag reflex.
8
He was the ONE guy I thought would have some principles and stand up to monstrous bully Trump. He was on the receiving end of bully shyster Trumps attacks. If anyone would say No, he was ripe. Well, I was wrong. As he said in the article, "I was once known as The Maverick"
Once upon a time, In a galaxy far far away.
So long , Maverick. Bye bye
Once upon a time, In a galaxy far far away.
So long , Maverick. Bye bye
5
McCain is another Republican who cares more about himself and the Republican Party than he does about the United States.
7
Let the whole rotten mess of R's go down with the good ship Donald.
If you wish to keep company with the David Dukes, and besmirch your own good name, so be it. No one is forcing you to jump into the chum bucket.
Let President Clinton's first act be to appoint President Obama to the Supreme Court. Surely they will like them apples.
If you wish to keep company with the David Dukes, and besmirch your own good name, so be it. No one is forcing you to jump into the chum bucket.
Let President Clinton's first act be to appoint President Obama to the Supreme Court. Surely they will like them apples.
15
they will drag th rest of down w them
It appears that Senator McCain has joined the ranks of craven, spineless, gutless politicians who will do and say anything to keep their hold on power. The first, last, and only rule in American politics seems to be "do not lose thy election whence all personal power and benefits flow," all considerations of integrity, principle and the public be damned.
It is also worth noting that Senator McCain has been an active participant in the gridlock which has paralyzed Congress. It's not clear that his "leadership" has amounted to much. And did he really select that idiotic Sarah Palin to be his running mate for the office of Vice President?
Perhaps Donald Trump does the nation a service by providing the broom that sweeps Republicans out of office in the 2016 general election. Good riddance to them all.
It is also worth noting that Senator McCain has been an active participant in the gridlock which has paralyzed Congress. It's not clear that his "leadership" has amounted to much. And did he really select that idiotic Sarah Palin to be his running mate for the office of Vice President?
Perhaps Donald Trump does the nation a service by providing the broom that sweeps Republicans out of office in the 2016 general election. Good riddance to them all.
11
McCain has shown throughout a long and active life that he has stones.
One can get just so far on testosterone...
1
Sad and shameful that Senator McCain would not stand up to Trump in defense, if not of himself, of all other captured US soldiers!
15
If I the end Donald Trump becomes President, History will not be kind to his GOP enablers. Especially the GOP leaders like Senator McCain, McConnel and Ryan who put self, party and power ahead of the welfare of our country and its citizens - even those who voted in support of a man clearly unsuited to lead the country. In the end well all be very, very sorry.
14
Even less kind if trump loses.
4
Johnny, we thought we knew ye.
Apparently not.
Apparently not.
8
Sad!
9
Why is a 79 year old man running for reelection to a six year term? The same reason he won't renounce Trump. He can't make himself give up the power and prestige he has had for so long. Maybe Arizona will do for him what he hasn't the strength to do for himself.
21
He believes he will live to be 85. Sadly, this is probably true; Congress gets better health care than they are willing to provide for the rest of us.
2
Donald Trump's success has been based on his ability to see people for who they really are. Something the media/Beltway establishment can't.
Trump recognized the resentment that is the core of the current GOP. He has ridden that wave brilliantly to the nomination. Along the way, he has also recognized the weaknesses in his opponents. Lil Marco, Lying Ted, and low energy Jeb.
With McCain, Trump long ago tagged him as a somebody who would do anything to stay in the political limelight. This allowed him to insult and play McCain like a 'violin'.
The punditry keep clinging to an image of John McCain as 'Mr. Straight Talk Express'. That was 16 years ago. In retrospect, it was simply a persona that he adopted to compete with Bush in the primaries. Over time, his true persona has been revealed. The Palin pick, the enabling of the obstructionist policies of the GOP, and finally supporting Trump.
McCain doesn't believe in 'Country First', he believes in 'McCain First'.
Trump may be a bully. He may be a misogynist, racist, sexist, narcissist, etc. But, he knows people. He saw McCain for what he truly is, and played/insulted him accordingly.
Trump recognized the resentment that is the core of the current GOP. He has ridden that wave brilliantly to the nomination. Along the way, he has also recognized the weaknesses in his opponents. Lil Marco, Lying Ted, and low energy Jeb.
With McCain, Trump long ago tagged him as a somebody who would do anything to stay in the political limelight. This allowed him to insult and play McCain like a 'violin'.
The punditry keep clinging to an image of John McCain as 'Mr. Straight Talk Express'. That was 16 years ago. In retrospect, it was simply a persona that he adopted to compete with Bush in the primaries. Over time, his true persona has been revealed. The Palin pick, the enabling of the obstructionist policies of the GOP, and finally supporting Trump.
McCain doesn't believe in 'Country First', he believes in 'McCain First'.
Trump may be a bully. He may be a misogynist, racist, sexist, narcissist, etc. But, he knows people. He saw McCain for what he truly is, and played/insulted him accordingly.
17
Payback for inflicting Palin on us. McCain is as much to blame for Trump as anyone. By picking Palin, he allowed abject stupidity to become the virtue, allowing a perception of credibility for dolts like his former running mate, and now Trump.
I can't muster the slightest notion of sympathy for McCain. An old man in a dying party.
I can't muster the slightest notion of sympathy for McCain. An old man in a dying party.
13
Not just abjectly stupid, willfully, proudly stupid. GWB, Palin, Trump.
1
Senator McCain will always be a war hero. That's a fact Mr Trump moral relativity can not change. It makes me sad to think that this is how he leaves a lifetime of public service. I hope Trump more than loses- I hope he flames out. Ugh
9
Dear Mr. McCain,
Why not just wear a 'Property of Charles and David Koch' T-Shirt and be done with it?
Why not just wear a 'Property of Charles and David Koch' T-Shirt and be done with it?
8
In his lust for power, and to resurrect his floundering 2008 campaign, Sen. McCain was the first one who tried to provide a garb of national mainstream respectability to the so called Tea Party and Sarah Palin.
Why are we now surprised that in his lust for power, he is now willing to endorse Donald Trump?
Sen. McCain has long served this great country of ours and deserves gratitude for that but he's also a living proof of the fact that it is hard to let go of power and power can corrupt even the best amongst us and can lead to an honest, decent man to sell his soul in pursuit of six more years of relevance.
Why are we now surprised that in his lust for power, he is now willing to endorse Donald Trump?
Sen. McCain has long served this great country of ours and deserves gratitude for that but he's also a living proof of the fact that it is hard to let go of power and power can corrupt even the best amongst us and can lead to an honest, decent man to sell his soul in pursuit of six more years of relevance.
10
McCain proves himself to be just as much as a slime ball as the other republicans. Sad day for him. How explain that to the kids?
7
He had courage, but not anymore.
8
How disappointing that he coalesce with someone he probably hates. It shows a lack of conviction and not only that he is friends with Hillary. Some quotes about Hillary as Secretary of State: McCain: “We are proud of you. All over the world where I travel, you are viewed with admiration and respect.” + “She is a great representative of America, kind of a rock star status, visited more countries than any other secretary of state.”
8
Trump represents the kind of existential threat to the United States that Vietnam never did. McCain withstood five years of torture from that enemy and has folded like a cheap suit before this one. It's hard to watch.
11
It had to be some kind of billionaire donor coercion.
It must have gone something like this.
Koch Brothers: "Listen old man, endorse Trump today or we won't fund your next campaign".
McCain: "I will do as I am told".
Koch brothers: "Of course you will. Now run along we're busy. We have other valueless rightists to buy".
It must have gone something like this.
Koch Brothers: "Listen old man, endorse Trump today or we won't fund your next campaign".
McCain: "I will do as I am told".
Koch brothers: "Of course you will. Now run along we're busy. We have other valueless rightists to buy".
8
I wouldn't pay two cents for character analysis from any Republican in the US Senate.
6
What a shame that McCain, like Ryan, decided -- obvious reluctance notwithstanding -- to support Trump. The irony, of course, is that this type of ill-founded party allegiance ultimately debases the party further.
7
Republicans have not come up with a reasonable candidate since Dwight Eisenhower.
7
If you are as disgusted as I am, go online and contribute to McCain's Democtratic opponent, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick.
(I just looked her up so I could send $50.)
(I just looked her up so I could send $50.)
14
Wow - politicians are incredible. NO SHAME!
9
Et tu, McCain?
9
Trump is testing Sen. John McCain and every other Republican in the crucial quality "character." It is sad to see the senator, who heroically endured years abuse and torture by his Vietnamese captors, succumb to the false duty of partisan Republican loyalty. Loyalty to a thug and crank who demeaned Trump's very heroism as a prisoner! McCain soils his reputation. I urge him to reconsider.
10
John McCain has erased any doubt - he will do anything, he will say anything to get reelected. What's best for his country is well down the list.
14
Senator McCain's endorsement of Donald Trump is a betrayal
to his fellow soldiers, especially the POW's. Sometimes a person
really has to take a stand, and stand for something bigger than
themselves. Senator McCain apparently stands for not much
anymore if he's choosing the Donald.
to his fellow soldiers, especially the POW's. Sometimes a person
really has to take a stand, and stand for something bigger than
themselves. Senator McCain apparently stands for not much
anymore if he's choosing the Donald.
18
The GOP needs to recognize the line between their "loyalty" stuff and just dysfunctional enabling. I thought McCain would have learned from the Palin disaster. Now Trump? Unforgivable.
Is anyone in the GOP interested in the good of the country past their weird male obsession with abortion? You have to presume this is what they are trying to shape with their sell-outs from McCain, Rubio, Ryan and the rest of their gang.
Is anyone in the GOP interested in the good of the country past their weird male obsession with abortion? You have to presume this is what they are trying to shape with their sell-outs from McCain, Rubio, Ryan and the rest of their gang.
17
1968: "Gritting His Teeth, McCain Defies Torture in North Vietnam"
2016: "Gritting His Teeth, McCain Links His Fate to Trump."
What is worse than Hanoi Hilton, that it finally broke McCain? Apparently, the prospect of losing his seat.
This New Yorker cartoon says it all:
http://www.condenaststore.com/-sp/They-rubbed-my-tummy-chief-I-told-them...
2016: "Gritting His Teeth, McCain Links His Fate to Trump."
What is worse than Hanoi Hilton, that it finally broke McCain? Apparently, the prospect of losing his seat.
This New Yorker cartoon says it all:
http://www.condenaststore.com/-sp/They-rubbed-my-tummy-chief-I-told-them...
7
Who, or what is John McCain that he would support a man who questioned his intellectual capacity, if not his courage? No moral petson can support Drumpf but John McCain does.....
8
I hope Senator McCain reads these comments.
12
If it ain't in Fox-Kids McCain doesn't know it.
10
My question in the wake of the Ryan and McCain endorsements of Donald Trump is this: What, during the past few weeks, showed McCain and Ryan that Trump as Presidential?
Was it Ttump's hissy fit over Trump University criticisms?
Was it Trump's hissy fit over requests to see his tax returns?
Was it Trump's hissy fits over the media?
Exactly which Trump issue fit showed Ryan and McCain that he had the temperament to be given the nuclear codes?
Was it Ttump's hissy fit over Trump University criticisms?
Was it Trump's hissy fit over requests to see his tax returns?
Was it Trump's hissy fits over the media?
Exactly which Trump issue fit showed Ryan and McCain that he had the temperament to be given the nuclear codes?
15
At this point it should have become obvious to the GOP leadership, as it has to the rest of us, that Trump will never be presidential. They should also know, as we do, that his “policies” are incoherent except where they are contradictory. They should know that he is incapable of hiding his blatant racism and xenophobia, that his trade policies such as imposing a 45% tariff on Chinese imports will wreak havoc on the poor and middle class and cause a worldwide recession. That his foreign policy goals of weakening NATO will greatly diminish American power and influence and invites dangerous instability in Europe. That his policy to disengage our military and diplomatic presence from Asia will do the same to weaken our power and influence there while destabilizing Asia. That his policy of abandoning our previous efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons will also have a predictably tragic outcome. They know that as a business man he is a con artist, that he has preyed on the vulnerable, the old, the desperate and the poorly educated (who he loves) in order to leach the last dime out of them.
With this knowledge surely in hand (and there is more), the GOP and their very wealthy donors are supporting Trump to be our next president. There must be something they very, very badly want in order to be willing to put the nation and our citizens at such risk. Whatever it is they hope to get, “what is best for the country” is not on their agenda.
With this knowledge surely in hand (and there is more), the GOP and their very wealthy donors are supporting Trump to be our next president. There must be something they very, very badly want in order to be willing to put the nation and our citizens at such risk. Whatever it is they hope to get, “what is best for the country” is not on their agenda.
8
They want to destroy Obamacare, Medicare, Social Security, the EPA, and the Department of Education.
Oh, and outlaw all abortions too.
Oh, and outlaw all abortions too.
6
I am very glad that John McCain has once again reminded us of his central ethos: personal ambition above the good of the country. He deserves no respect from anyone.
12
Another Profile in Courage.
6
Senator McCain, once a revered hero, now a cynical hack. Long gone are Senator McCain’s “Maverick” days. He might not be quite the Trump lap dog we see in Chris Christie, but Senator McCain leaves us no doubt that he is now firmly in the Party before Country camp. After all, Senator McCain is the man who tried to sell Sarah Palin as a vice-presidential candidate fit to step right up into the presidency. How can anyone now be surprised to see him cozy up to President Trump?
14
At 79, John McCain should retire with dignity intact, not compromise his ethics by supporting a candidate he knows well is unprepared to be President. Given the paralysis in Congress, I don't know why he wants to stay in anyway. What is there for him to do there? He has multiple homes to visit and could focus on an occasional speech as a respected former leader. My admiration continues to grow for leaders like Jimmy Carter who use retirement to better the world.
18
Way way too late. The selection of Palin sealed his fate in perpetuity, showing such a glaring void in his judgment that nothing can reverse. The lure of power must be so overwhelming to such men that any compromise is worth the possible consequences. Surely, he is long past his (political) expiration date.
11
Why does the Maverick believe that supporting bigotry is the honorable position?
14
politics is a dirty business. this is an illustration. I expected better of McCain.
10
I remember when McCain stood up to a woman at a rally when she said Obama was a Muslim and told her she was wrong, that he was a good man with whom he had differences about policies. In spite of his choosing of the bonehead palin as his vp, I preferred to remember that moment as a defining moment of his courage and decency. He has now become a pale shadow of who he once was.
12
Obama was a Muslim and told her she was wrong, that he was a good man ?
What is wrong of being a Muslim?
Are all Christians,jews are all bad?
In every religion you have the good and the bad people.
What is wrong of being a Muslim?
Are all Christians,jews are all bad?
In every religion you have the good and the bad people.
3
mav·er·ick
ˈmav(ə)rik/Submit
noun
1.A borish by the book right-winger who will do exactly as they are told to do by their billionaire sugar daddies.
A cookie cutter conformist, free of spirit, orthodox, boring and cowardly.
See: John McCain, Paul Ryan et al.
ˈmav(ə)rik/Submit
noun
1.A borish by the book right-winger who will do exactly as they are told to do by their billionaire sugar daddies.
A cookie cutter conformist, free of spirit, orthodox, boring and cowardly.
See: John McCain, Paul Ryan et al.
13
I was sure Trump would be all done when he criticized Mr McCain. Now Mr McCain has chosen both Sarah Palin and Donald Trump. McCain has poor judgment.
8
Although I'm a lifelong Democrat (not much younger than McCain), I've respected John McCain for being principled. I've even forgiven him for unleashing Sarah Palin, choosing to see it as a mistake wrought by advisors. This capitulation, however, is unforgivable, as is Ryan's craven behavior. It is beyond outrageous that these people who claim to be patriots are not standing up and saying "NO!" to Trump, the most unqualified person who has ever sought public office, let alone the Presidency.
Gotta go now and send money to McCain's opponent.
Gotta go now and send money to McCain's opponent.
12
McCAin made a choice to side with a racist and a bigot. He could have said no.
First Palin, now this.
First Palin, now this.
11
Not the first time he's signed on with an obvious loser.
12
Will the last leader in the Republican Party please turn out the lights?
9
Waste no words: McCain is pathetic.
16
I've always thought that Sen. McCain was at his best when he acted with his conscience. He worked with Sen. Feingold on campaign finance reform. He denounced people like Ted Cruz for shutting down the government over finances. But has he now sold his soul by supporting Trump? I hope not because he would be a loss. By the way, I'm an independent but leaning Democratic.
12
once again our Congressmen display no principles.
8
shortsighted and not very bright
7
Jeez, what happened to the "Maverick"? If he gets behind trump, his legacy will further be tarnished.
4
Good for Donald Trump. He might take a whole lotta shills down with him...unless Hillary loses, that is.
6
He didn't give himself a free ride on the GOP money trIain he just handed himself the wild ride for a ticket out of Congress.
6
even though a liberal Dem, i respected McCain. no more. Sen McCain should blame himself. he started this disaster at the top of the ticket with the fool, Palin. Sen McCain is now without an leadership integrity. i wish Ms Kirkpatrick much success.
7
Mr. McCain, enough already.
Why are you swallowing your pride to get behind a draft dodging coward like Little Hands?
Have some self respect for crying out loud.
Now is the perfect time to retire from your largely ceremonial position and to take a stand against the whorish nature of the post citizens United GOP and the depths to which it will sink to win the White House.
Your legacy still hasn't been fully written Mr. McCain.
Do you really want that legacy to be that you helped a born to privlege, draft dodging wuss like Donald Trump?
The American People really haven't seen much class coming from your corner since you tapped Caribou Barbie to be your running mate during your laughable Presidential campaign against President Obama so now is the perfect time to remind The American People that you once had honor and courage.
Retire from your current position and give Little Hands the finger as you ride off into the sunset.
Why are you swallowing your pride to get behind a draft dodging coward like Little Hands?
Have some self respect for crying out loud.
Now is the perfect time to retire from your largely ceremonial position and to take a stand against the whorish nature of the post citizens United GOP and the depths to which it will sink to win the White House.
Your legacy still hasn't been fully written Mr. McCain.
Do you really want that legacy to be that you helped a born to privlege, draft dodging wuss like Donald Trump?
The American People really haven't seen much class coming from your corner since you tapped Caribou Barbie to be your running mate during your laughable Presidential campaign against President Obama so now is the perfect time to remind The American People that you once had honor and courage.
Retire from your current position and give Little Hands the finger as you ride off into the sunset.
10
Poor John McCain foolishly bow down to the crook, idiot, con artist and racist Trump to get elected rather than stand up to this un presidential and proved to be a real soldier at his 79 years age.
6
Ah, old Senator John McCain. As its been said already he lost me and many others with the Palin pick, but ever since he's not truly managed to resemble his old self. He's been looking desperate for a long time now, relying on his old bag of tricks that frankly are simply not good enough these days.
I respect his service, but its no longer enough...it no longer makes him the "expert" on the military, or its appropriate uses...there's simply too much contrary data out there now to listen to his basically old school mentality.
When he speaks now he sounds like the old guy who used to be listened to, a lot, but who is now seen as outdated, stuck in the mud, and frankly a little addled. A certain amount of I desperation does come across, and its sad to see it on someone who has nothing (but Palin) to be ashamed of.
But all I see in his backing Trump, like so many others in the GOP, is a bunch of old white guys (some young) gasping for air in last ditch attempt to retain their hold on their cushy jobs with the votes of the winnowing angry, white middle-class/aged male electorate. Showing how little they truly understand the state of affairs, or the country for that matter, this election cycle.
To back Trump, is in my opinion, far worse then the Palin debacle. That was a stupid mistake, a tactical mistake, but backing Trump is an ethical and as such a character based mistake.
Arizona is known for its retirement culture...its time for the good Senator to embrace it.
I respect his service, but its no longer enough...it no longer makes him the "expert" on the military, or its appropriate uses...there's simply too much contrary data out there now to listen to his basically old school mentality.
When he speaks now he sounds like the old guy who used to be listened to, a lot, but who is now seen as outdated, stuck in the mud, and frankly a little addled. A certain amount of I desperation does come across, and its sad to see it on someone who has nothing (but Palin) to be ashamed of.
But all I see in his backing Trump, like so many others in the GOP, is a bunch of old white guys (some young) gasping for air in last ditch attempt to retain their hold on their cushy jobs with the votes of the winnowing angry, white middle-class/aged male electorate. Showing how little they truly understand the state of affairs, or the country for that matter, this election cycle.
To back Trump, is in my opinion, far worse then the Palin debacle. That was a stupid mistake, a tactical mistake, but backing Trump is an ethical and as such a character based mistake.
Arizona is known for its retirement culture...its time for the good Senator to embrace it.
11
John McCain was one of the few Republicans I was able to respect...until he gave us the gift of Sarah Palin and the Tea Party. I see this embrace of Trump in the same light. The senator seems to have a tragic fatal personality flaw that allows him do incredibly wrong or humiliating things in order to advance himself or keep his job. I don't know how he can live with himself after this endorsement. It will certainly sully his record as much as running with Sarah Palin has done.
12
graduated at th bottom of his Annapolis class
crashed 5 navy jets
was taken prisoner by th enemy
what a hero !
crashed 5 navy jets
was taken prisoner by th enemy
what a hero !
5
Stop.
I'm not a fan of the man either but he did fight in a United States War (police action...whatever).
I'm not a fan of the man either but he did fight in a United States War (police action...whatever).
9
Myth of trump. Myth of mccain. A lot of myths out there...
9
To thine own self be true. Integrity. Standing up for one's principles. All seem to have gone out of style. Mr. McCain, what example do you set for veterans when you stand with a man who has insulted you and your courage in surviving years as a POW? Your service to your state and your country matters, especially when people know you can be true to yourself and to them. Supporting Donald Trump, and all others like him, is giving in to the baser emotions of humanity:anger, fear, retribution and ignorance. Other politicians have become independents when the party line no longer fits. There must be others besides me who would esteem you more for making that choice, even though it likely assures your of a political loss, than selling out just for another term in Congress. Let people know you care about them by acting with integrity. Be a maverick again by telling the GOP that Trump doesn't bear YOUR standard -- politically or morally.
15
There is nothing different about these Republicans and Donald Trump, other then he is the voice of what they all believe and think but are careful not to express publicly. They are unpresentable
11
McCain has decided to support a candidate that continues to make racist comments, rude remarks about women, and has insulted many other groups of Americans. Im sure in his heart he knows this is not a good thing. He should have at a minimum supported Hillary due to her years of public service (Im a Bernie fan mind you) as a Senator and Secretary of State, his support of Trump is transparent that he is a follower and not a leader.
10
There is irony in the fact that Donald Trump says exactly what is on is mind—no matter how egregious—and is rewarded by the voters for “not being a typical politician” and “saying it like it is.” Yet, those like John McCain seem compelled to “grit their teeth,” and “support the nominee,” rather than acting and speaking with integrity by letting fly their true beliefs. Wouldn’t it be better to act a bit less like an “establishment politician,” in this non-establishment year, “say it like it is,” and let the chips fall where they may? I like to think that the voters would, in turn, reward McCain for his candor.
12
th voters are fools
so surrender all hope for anything from th likes of them
so surrender all hope for anything from th likes of them
2
Writing about mass deportation of illegal aliens as a bad thug shocks law abiding people. why should illegal aliens be exempt from laws? The answer is that they should not be exempt and it is liberal lawlessness that in fact destroys societies and countries.
1
Many politicians choose whatever positions they feel will most likely get them elected or re-elected. McCain and far too many others make these cynical political calculations but not ones based on character, honesty, principles, self-respect or love of country.
Then we wonder why our political system is dysfunctional and on a race to the gutter. Voters share no small part in this scenario as well as the politicians that propagate falsehoods and pander to base instincts. We could demand better.
I really fear for the future of our country.
Then we wonder why our political system is dysfunctional and on a race to the gutter. Voters share no small part in this scenario as well as the politicians that propagate falsehoods and pander to base instincts. We could demand better.
I really fear for the future of our country.
8
We've really opened up a cesspool, haven't we?
8
It's never too late to be a Maverick. Country or party Senator McCain?
9
I just lost all respect for John McCain..........
10
I lost mine when he picked the bimbo to be his running mate during his laughable Presidential campaign.
9
I never thought I'd live to see a man like John McCain bending over to kiss the ring of a man like Donald Trump.
"Dude, where's my country," indeed.
"Dude, where's my country," indeed.
11
History will not be kind to John McCain. His infamy was assured by his critical role in tranforming Sarah Palin into a national embarrasment .Now he is doing his best to transform another national embarament into our President. Has he no shame? Why is he so determined to damage the country he fought for?
14
So much for personal integrity and the national interest vis a vis sectarian politics...
11
He caved to the Tea Party with his choice of Sarah Palin years ago. That showed lack of judgement. His endorsement of Trump shows lack of courage.
9
Disgraceful.
19
This is very sad. As a young man John McCain risked, and almost lost, his life in service to his country. It was the vicissitudes of his F-4 Phantom being struck by a Surface to Air missile that led to his injuries and POW status. Now, as an old man, he is willing to do great damage to the country he once served by endorsing the demagogue the Republican party will nominate to be it's candidate for president of the United States of America. It's very sad as this in voluntary. No one made McCain do it.
11
he was flying an a4
but no matter, he would have crashed th f4 also, its much harder to fly
but no matter, he would have crashed th f4 also, its much harder to fly
1
Yup.
McCain is endorsing a man who dodged the draft but remember, McCain also backed the Bush/Cheney ticket and they both chickened out of Vietnam so, as I think k about it, McCain never really had any integrity.
He always put party before country and that is how he will be remembered.
Not as a brave Patriot but as a valueless rightist water carrier.
For shame Mr. McCain, for shame.
McCain is endorsing a man who dodged the draft but remember, McCain also backed the Bush/Cheney ticket and they both chickened out of Vietnam so, as I think k about it, McCain never really had any integrity.
He always put party before country and that is how he will be remembered.
Not as a brave Patriot but as a valueless rightist water carrier.
For shame Mr. McCain, for shame.
9
He was in an A-4 Skyhawk I believe when shot down. The F-4 is a two seat aircraft, the A-4 only one.
John
John
2
Now he really is the loser Trump accused him of being.
19
Republicans see the writing on the wall. Although not the last stand, this election season is the beginning of the final battles. You may find it admiral that the party is willing to get behind this man or you may find it reprehensible, but in reality, it's nothing more than trying to stave off the inevitable. No matter how you slice the population pie of this country, there just won't be a big enough piece for the republican party to remain relevant.
6
Senator McCain could end his career with his head held high and instead is likely to end his distinguished career with his tail between his legs. He survived five years of torture as a prisoner of war, but cracks under the possibility that he might lose his job if he doesn't sell is soul?
15
Like many others here, I have respect for his service to this country.
But keep in mind he's the one who picked Palin.
And now he's behind Trump.
You reap what you sow.
If he loses, I can't say he didn't deserve it.
But keep in mind he's the one who picked Palin.
And now he's behind Trump.
You reap what you sow.
If he loses, I can't say he didn't deserve it.
18
"Have you no honor, sir?
At long last, have you no honor ?"
At long last, have you no honor ?"
16
Interesting to see the old footage of Muhammed Ali just flat out say that he would not serve the interests of those who violated his own beliefs and just take the heat. He couldn't even fight for over 3 years and he didnt even seem to hesitate about his views on getting drafted.
You almost forget that people occasionally act that way and just pay for it.
McCain is showing that what made him great and what makes him a politician are 2 completely different things. Paul Ryan was never great but he caved as well. Pitiful.
You almost forget that people occasionally act that way and just pay for it.
McCain is showing that what made him great and what makes him a politician are 2 completely different things. Paul Ryan was never great but he caved as well. Pitiful.
23
If ever anyone doubted where a politician's allegiance truly lies, this is the answer: staying in office at any and all costs — no matter how humiliating, demeaning and transparent. I admired the old McCain, i.e., the courageous maverick that seemingly doesn't exist anymore. This current iteration — the tired, old pol with no moral compass — deserves to lose the election.
13
is this how we indicate our political preferences - by holding our noses?
8
Senator McCain has justified Mr. Trump's earlier reference to him as a loser.
17
John McCain is missing a chance to be an even greater hero.
By calling out Trump as unqualified to be president, he would
earn a new and greater respect as a patriot.
Sadly, he cannot see this last rare opportunity to serve his country.
By calling out Trump as unqualified to be president, he would
earn a new and greater respect as a patriot.
Sadly, he cannot see this last rare opportunity to serve his country.
14
I guess job security for McCain trumps any sense of integrity. He lost me back when he picked Palin.
13
Don, and John, both going down in November. Talk about filling the balloon basket with a lead weight: bad move Senator.
7
This can't be the same man who resisted five years of torture by the Vietcong but can't summon the courage to go through a senatorial campaign unhitched to the demon Trump.
14
When McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate in 2008, that was about as low as one thought he could go to court the outliers and scariest factions of his already scary party. He said then that she was the future of the party....well, at that moment, he was instrumental in creating that future, a future we are currently facing in the Trump candidacy. He isn't a victim—he is an enabler. "Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas," my grandmother always said.
19
First the Sarah Palin choice - a poor judgment call.
And now the Donald Trump support - an undignified desperation call.
Together these decisions indicate the time has come for John McCain to retire from office and to seek a more meaningful and quiet existence.
"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."
And now the Donald Trump support - an undignified desperation call.
Together these decisions indicate the time has come for John McCain to retire from office and to seek a more meaningful and quiet existence.
"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."
11
Not only why would Trump say that about POWs, but why would any one of integrity support a man who does that sort of thing? I'm not a fan of McCain's politics, but ever since he was fool enough to put Sarah Palin on the ticket, one has to wonder what it is that he's thinking. Maverick meant integrity back then. Were he actually a maverick, he would eschew Trump and run as a man of integrity.
10
John, as the father of Sarah and the tail of "The Donald", thank you for your service to our country. Unfortunately, however, your capture and torture seem meaningless in the eyes of one.....but your judgment more so in the eyes of many!
7
John McCain is worried about losing his job and not his honor?
18
As an economics professor I am used to having the "lemmings over a cliff" criticism leveled against my profession. I think that criticism has a new target. I am a big believer in the importance of divided government and am truly saddened to see so many honorable republican's embrace this conservative charlatan.
11
Despite all the things we can say that are unappealing about Hillary Clinton, does that mean we would be better off trusting the leadership of our country to someone who knows almost nothing about world affairs, governing, economics, communicating, having an intelligent debate about things that could greatly affect the world? That goes for elected politicians. People like John McCain and many others apparently think so and are willing to back someone who will do a horrible job leading our country. God help us all if he is elected.
10
Especially since his astonishing selection of Sarah Palin for his VP running mate in 2008, there is little that would inspire me to support Senator McCain beyond my perception that, at his core, he is a decent man. The same cannot be said for Donald Trump who exudes indecency from every pore of what passes for a human body. Indeed, it is decency that most threatens Emperor of Insults, the Titan of Taunts, the King of Crassness.
A blustering bully whose depth of reflection is as thin as his skin has no business in high public office. Arizona voters should hope that Senator McCain has learned from his Palin misadventure. Apparently he has not. His own political survival seems more important to him than the future of the country he loves.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
A blustering bully whose depth of reflection is as thin as his skin has no business in high public office. Arizona voters should hope that Senator McCain has learned from his Palin misadventure. Apparently he has not. His own political survival seems more important to him than the future of the country he loves.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
13
Since McCain was quite willing to put Sarah Palin, a woman who makes Donald Trump seem like Teddy Roosevelt, a heartbeat away from the presidency, I have no sympathy for his predicament.
The Republicans have been been steadily morphing for years into a party of racism and anti-science demagoguery. McCain, choosing Palin, did his part in getting us to the point where its nominee is Trump.
The Republicans have been been steadily morphing for years into a party of racism and anti-science demagoguery. McCain, choosing Palin, did his part in getting us to the point where its nominee is Trump.
9
Hypocrite!
10
First Paul Ryan, now John McCain. Both have always presented themselves as men of integrity; many people have fallen for it; and perhaps at times - especially McCain - they were.
But no more.
Ambition and pride as old as Shakespeare: Not only are they betraying their country by their willingness to hand it over to a leader who will destroy it - they're betraying themselves.
But no more.
Ambition and pride as old as Shakespeare: Not only are they betraying their country by their willingness to hand it over to a leader who will destroy it - they're betraying themselves.
12
Reading through the comments, I have seen one word appear again and again:
sad
sad
10
Could anything be more transparent than the actions of such as McCain and Paul Ryan, supposedly two men of integrity or rather the illusion of it? Trump's success was made possible by Republican obstructionism and a helpless and hopeless clinging to a useless ideology which treasures self-interest above all else. They should own Trump - they helped create him. In what world would McCain and Ryan refuse to endorse Trump? Not this one, sadly.
9
Why the surprise? McCain is a classic example of a guy who does what he needs to do to keep being elected in the zany state of Arizona.
Yeah, AZ is a winter-bird sanctuary, but it's also among the most pro-gun, anti-immigration, and anti-worker states in the union.
Remember the filthy Bush-approved, Atwater-directed push-polling that sunk McCain years ago in the crucial S. Carolina primary? Well, Mc fell right in line with Bush not long after.
So, what we're witnessing is nothing new. Mc just doesn't have much of a backbone.
Yeah, AZ is a winter-bird sanctuary, but it's also among the most pro-gun, anti-immigration, and anti-worker states in the union.
Remember the filthy Bush-approved, Atwater-directed push-polling that sunk McCain years ago in the crucial S. Carolina primary? Well, Mc fell right in line with Bush not long after.
So, what we're witnessing is nothing new. Mc just doesn't have much of a backbone.
7
The creator of Palin speaks!
9
What a sad and frightened man John McCain has become. A tragic turnabout from the maverick of the 2000 presidential campaign.
8
I once respected John McCain, although I disagree with his politics. Now, I feel he has lost his SELF respect. That is really sad for a man that seemed so strong and has done much good for the country.
9
He should be bowing out of public life gracefully instead of staying in office until he dies. There should be an age limit of 80 for public officials, supreme court justices and publicly held company officials.
5
His choice of Palin as a running mate was a joke. Now he's squandered his remaining dignity on a truly reprehensible candidate.
12
It's just sad terribly sad as McCain is not a garden variety ideologue.
He is human and has made mistakes, but he has stood for issues and been an effective member of Congress and served and stood for something as a soldier
What has Trump stood for and what does he stand for now besides "awesome"
He is human and has made mistakes, but he has stood for issues and been an effective member of Congress and served and stood for something as a soldier
What has Trump stood for and what does he stand for now besides "awesome"
4
I thought this was the Year of the Snake. But now realize it is the Year of the Lemming. Sad.
9
Apparently even integrity has lost it's place within the Republican party. So far people have been content to watch half of their house get burnt down, clearly it is now up to the other half of people to save the building from becoming a great pile of ashes.
6
McCain seems to stand tall when political races are not in play. As many have said, I have great respect for this man even when I disagree with some of his policies. His pick of Sarah Palin in 2008 and his decision to support Trump in 2016 makes me wonder if my respect has been misplaced.
8
I remember back last summer when Trump slammed McCain for "being captured" and people were like "Could this be the end for Trump, disrespecting a war veteran?" Well not only didn't he lose any supporters - HE DIDN'T EVEN lose John McCain! Sad!
27
"Gritting his teeth" Yet another unprofessional bit of NY Times editorializing in a news story.
1
Why are you reading this rag anyway?
May I suggest FOXNews as a suitable alternative?
May I suggest FOXNews as a suitable alternative?
4
What term would you use to describe somebody doing something they find wholly unpalatable?
4
How do you know he finds it wholly unpalatable? You are just surmising, but as they say politics makes strange bedfellows so it can't be "wholly unpalatable".
When are republicans going to understand that the John Birch Society essentially owns their party? Those were the people who thought Dwight Eisenhower was a communist. Look at the motley group of characters who call themselves republicans: Ted Yoho, Joe Barton, Glenn Grothman, Rand Paul, Michael Grimm, Michael Burgess, Gordon Klingenschmitt, Jody Hice, Ted Cruz, Kelly Keisling, Mark Walker, Virginia Foxx, Joni Ernst, Louie Gohmert, Steve King, and Paul LePage. Oh and Donald Trump.
10
Pope Paul VI in Rome limited the Pope electors to cardinals under 80 years of age - obviously because older than that mistakes are made. McCain will be 80 this August. Any more questions!
8
Every time the Rs step up to a plate at which they could hit toward morality, honesty and what's best for the country they veer away. I used to really appreciate McCain's role in our national life though I don't agree with him. Used to be I thought that if I ever met him I would greet him with just two words - Sarah Palin? Now it would be - five years in a prison camp for this? It's just very sad.
6
First came Paul Ryan. The other day he looked like a man who knew he'd just sold his soul. I can't say quite the same for John McCain, but he sounds like someone who put his party and his career ahead of his country. You won't see their names in any book titled Profiles in Courage.
16
John McCain's soul was already gone. It departed the day he selected Sarah Palin as his running mate.
6
First was Sarah Palin and now Donald Trump? This guy is sinking lower everyday.
12
Has he thought this through? People have voted for him in the past because he was a strong leader and a war hero who has stood up for what he believes. And now, he has been humiliated by El Payaso and submits to what he clearly does not believe in. To which demographic does this appeal?
3
Politicians need to learn that "what they sow, they reap." I have no pity for McCain.
6
McCain has been trying to get us into wars since 87'. It will be my pleasure to see him defeated in AZ.
11
I haven't had a shred of respect for McCain since he gave Sarah Palin a megaphone. Sarah Palin's ignorance, vulgarity, and poor self-control made Donald Trump possible. In 2008 he insinuated in a televised campaign ad that Obama was, no kidding, the. literal. Antichrist. In his concession speech he insinuated that Obama won the election on the basis of his race. If he loses this election, he's got no one to thank but himself. McCain is hoist with his own petard.
9
McCain is of a bygone era and needs to allow others with fresh and new ideas to be part of America. It's time to move on McCain.
4
Or, he could just retire, with a shred of dignity left.
6
Is there no honor among Republicans? Is there simply the need to keep one's Senate seat no matter the cost to one's own principles?
6
It's all about power. They can't stand not controlling it all.
Another one bites the dust.My seat is more important to me than the good of the country. sad
8
This breaks my heart. It's not only his own integrity McCain is relinquishing to support a man who once dismissed his incredibly courageous and honorable military service (let's remember that he actively resisted while being tortured and held in solitary for more than 5 years). He's also sending the message that his re-election matters more to him than standing up for other veterans who've served honorably in horrendous circumstances. At long last, have you left no sense of decency?
8
Becky's use of the words of attorney Joe Welch to Senator Joseph McCarthy takes me back to another comment made to this article, which was that McCain was one of the Republicans that we hoped would have the independence and courage to stand up to tall. President Eisenhower was one of the few elected officials who could have called out McCarthy with relative impunity while McCarthy was at the height of his influence; even McCarthy would have blinked before taking on the beloved war hero. By the time Welch made his famous statement McCarthyism was at its tipping point and the words merely pushed it over the edge. That Eisenhower let an attorney hired by the Army do a job that he should have done long before is a permanent blot on his legacy. Unfortunately for McCain he had a chance to recover a part of his legacy lost with the selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate, but that chance is gone.
2
John McCain is 79 and financially able (with military pension + government pension + whatever other income) to reject Trump as an act of principle: he could either refuse to run again or he could run as a "true" (i.e. reasonable) republican, rejecting Trump as someone who does not represent the values of the GOP. He could present himself as willing to work across the aisle with a President from either party, but not a narcissistic demagogue. But I think the Sarah Palin fiasco showed that when given the choice between loyalty and principles, he will choose loyalty.
8
His wife Cindy is a multi-millionaire. He has multiple homes around the country.
1
I liked John McCain, until he chose Sarah Palin as a running mate. I had to question his judgement at that instance. But now, to endorse Trump? I have to question his integrity. Sad to see a man who has served his county so well, sell his soul to a carnival barker who has literally demeaned McCain as a "loser" for having been a POW. Mr. McCain could walk away from Trump, even if it means McCain's losing his seat. At least he would have his dignity.
5
The Republican party needs to find and offer an alternate candidate at their convention. Their support of Trump puts our country in real danger.
3
choosing at 79 to back Trump, McCain doesn't need another term in office, he needs his head examined. for all of his war heroics and years of clear-thinking, moderate Republican thought, the fact that he's selling his soul to basically buy himself another term is unconscionable, but hey, Democrat or Republican, that seems to be the American way these days. if you're surprised at this, then you haven't been paying attention...
4
John McCain will always be a hero in my heart and soul! Not just because of his outstanding military service to his country but at one point, he was one of only a few senators who would not think twice to cross over to the other side of the aisle to reach a compromise, even with Ted Kennedy. Unfortunately, Senator McCain is now a prime example for why I believe that there should be some form of term limits for congressman. To give Trump his support totally befuddles me and it will be something that will scar his legacy. I contributed his hasty choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate to him being under pressure and also because of very poor advice.
1
Same here with Palin - I gave him a bit of a pass. At 79, as an elder statesman of his party, a hero to many, and with nothing more to prove, this was the moment for him to rise to the occasion. And he shrank. If Trump wins and does to this country what I think he will do history will never forgive McCain, nor should it.
1
I'm sure Trump simply apologized for or denied ever saying that McCain was a loser and not a war hero for being captured in Vietnam. Now they're best friends!
2
No, he specifically refused to apologize to American vets for the statements he made about John McCain's Vietnam war experience.
Then John McCain endorsed him anyway.
Then John McCain endorsed him anyway.
5
The party of senile old white guys isn't up to thinking and acting sensibly, to demonstrating sound judgement while their obligations to the public trust slip one by one from some feeble-minded notion that the GOP establishment can rely on and still later rein in a congenital liar like Trump.
Out from their mouths come words on the order of drool and dribble. Defensible public policy dropped to the ground like errant bocci balls, too weighty for their waning grasp.
If ever there has been a gormless trio like McConnell and McCain and Ryan nudging along the take-down of their own government, that government no longer exists. The GOP is but the planet's latest instance of that tragicomic spectacle of moral weaklings exercising disproportionate power.
Put a bib on them.
They're done.
Out from their mouths come words on the order of drool and dribble. Defensible public policy dropped to the ground like errant bocci balls, too weighty for their waning grasp.
If ever there has been a gormless trio like McConnell and McCain and Ryan nudging along the take-down of their own government, that government no longer exists. The GOP is but the planet's latest instance of that tragicomic spectacle of moral weaklings exercising disproportionate power.
Put a bib on them.
They're done.
5
Life severely tested John McCain. John McCain was NOT Born on 3rd base. Donald Trump has never been tested, even a little. Donald Trump Never hit a Triple. Donald Trump was Born on Third base. Trump worships a false idol. Trump has used his life to Worship money, acquire luxury, and exalt himself. In many ways Trump is what this nation has become. May God help America.
1
McCain was most certainly born on 2nd base, running for 3rd. His dad was an admiral, and that's why he was able to keep flying in the Navy, after crashing 4 planes (the 5th went down in Viet Nam). Comparing McCain and Donald Duck is not worth the effort.
1
Why not retire. His salary and benefits continue until his death.
Just how can he live with himself if he endorses a person to whom being president is only a new toy? Apparently his country means nothing to him, as it is for so many others: Being Republican is all.
Just how can he live with himself if he endorses a person to whom being president is only a new toy? Apparently his country means nothing to him, as it is for so many others: Being Republican is all.
4
McCain is and always will be worthless politician. He's a
has-been and his time is almost up. I hope
His alignment with Trump will finish him off!
has-been and his time is almost up. I hope
His alignment with Trump will finish him off!
4
Remember folks he set the bar way way low by allowing Sarah Palin onto the stage. It is an easy reach for him to go with Trump. He may have nbeen a good public person years ago but the past 10 years have shown him to be dogmatic, stubborn, ignorant of the facts and totally useless to his State. You don't keep someone like him around because at one time he was OK.
3
"I am a war criminal," McCain said on "60 Minutes" in 1997. "I bombed innocent women and children."
But now the country is apoplectic about McCain's support for a ludicrous, orange-faced real estate magnate, whose political platform is textbook Republican fare?
I don't get it.
But now the country is apoplectic about McCain's support for a ludicrous, orange-faced real estate magnate, whose political platform is textbook Republican fare?
I don't get it.
2
The Republican Mindset is nothing more than a brainless amoeba, the parasitic kind.
The Republican parasite has willingly attached itself to the man who has Trumped all the other Republican candidates because they, by definition, were all too brainless to defeat him when he entered their tent.
John McCain is a Republican super amoeba as is Ryan and all the others attaching themselves and falling into lockstep because they are brainless... as are all the Trump voters who have voted so far because they too are all Republicans, which makes them all brainless.
Now Trump, with his parasites clinging, must sell his ugly self to the rest of the American People.
Here is hoping they and their chosen queen have at least half a brain with which to see and think and make the right moves. The queen is herself the most powerful piece on the board but her 2 rooks (Bernie and Obama), her bishops, knights and all of us pawns must be used effectively in the coming game.
Otherwise the nation will be check-mated which is the same as Trumped by a dangerous and spoiled Blond King. All his brainless parasites will pay homage, saying "Long Live the King" as they rush to reattach themselves to the Congressional Trough from whence they came.
And the Blond King? He will build his wall around a castled White House to be served by is brainless pawns, sacrificing them and the country as needed before he is vanquished, most likely by a Chinese dragon, Russian bear or by us, if he lasts 4 years.
The Republican parasite has willingly attached itself to the man who has Trumped all the other Republican candidates because they, by definition, were all too brainless to defeat him when he entered their tent.
John McCain is a Republican super amoeba as is Ryan and all the others attaching themselves and falling into lockstep because they are brainless... as are all the Trump voters who have voted so far because they too are all Republicans, which makes them all brainless.
Now Trump, with his parasites clinging, must sell his ugly self to the rest of the American People.
Here is hoping they and their chosen queen have at least half a brain with which to see and think and make the right moves. The queen is herself the most powerful piece on the board but her 2 rooks (Bernie and Obama), her bishops, knights and all of us pawns must be used effectively in the coming game.
Otherwise the nation will be check-mated which is the same as Trumped by a dangerous and spoiled Blond King. All his brainless parasites will pay homage, saying "Long Live the King" as they rush to reattach themselves to the Congressional Trough from whence they came.
And the Blond King? He will build his wall around a castled White House to be served by is brainless pawns, sacrificing them and the country as needed before he is vanquished, most likely by a Chinese dragon, Russian bear or by us, if he lasts 4 years.
After years of service to this country, it's sad to see a Senator's career come to an end with his support for a man like Trump. At 79 he should have have done the honorable thing and not run for reelection. He talks about love of country; however when love of Party takes precedence over love of Country, he has sullied his reputation
2
What little respect I had for McCain completely evaporated with his announcement to back Trump. Should McCain ever have had self-respect, there seems to be no trace of it left now.
This domino effect which includes Ryan demonstrates how hungry these “leaders” are to cling to and increase their hold on power.
Let’s watch who is next.
This domino effect which includes Ryan demonstrates how hungry these “leaders” are to cling to and increase their hold on power.
Let’s watch who is next.
2
Really, one would have thought he could have given that up after 30 years of having that privileged position and gone home with his dignity. It is really something...wasn't he once considered the renegade of the Republican Party? But then he did pick Sarah Palin, so we can't really think that just because he kind of looks like an eminence gris he actually is.
2
You have to give it to McCain though; from supporting Bush twice after having his family insulted publicly, to choosing Palin as a running-mate to supporting Trump, he's been pretty consistent about not having any values left.
If McCain had been nearly the man he was in the '70s he'd have been president. But he's been DC fat cat too long, conveniently choosing the easy path and calling it being a "good" Republican. There's nothing honorable in putting party before country especially when he knows the nightmare in store if Trump wins. Then again, McCain's support, for good reason, doesn't mean what it used to.
If McCain had been nearly the man he was in the '70s he'd have been president. But he's been DC fat cat too long, conveniently choosing the easy path and calling it being a "good" Republican. There's nothing honorable in putting party before country especially when he knows the nightmare in store if Trump wins. Then again, McCain's support, for good reason, doesn't mean what it used to.
5
I thought McCain was a better man than that. I thought he would stand on his principles and tell the truth about Trump but it appears he is more about politics than truth
1
It never ceases to amaze me how little integrity these people can have. I wonder how they sleep at night and, worse still, how they get up the next morning...
3
First the Republican Leadership gritted their teeth and embraced the Tea Party into their fold, an expediency to keep their majority in the House and the Senate. And what happened? The Leadership was held to ransom by these renegades bringing about Government shutdown among other things. The Republican became the Party of know-nothings and do-nothings. And now Trump!!!!One after another like dominoes the Republican Leadership is endorsing ( with reluctance, gritted teeth, whatever! ) this horrifying, terrifying, unscrupulous demagogue which is really a continuum of the welcome of the Tea-Party. Is there a Republican leadership anymore? All I can see is a splintered Party made up of greedy, self-serving members tenuously trying to hang onto power. And now McCain! At least he could have lived up to his reputation as a maverick and a hero serving his country before his Party. He has been compromising himself for the last few years eroding his core. Now with endorsement of Trump he has sold his soul. Sad, very sad.
1
Power corrupts. Few men and women who have held great power have the strength to give it up. One may argue for term limits for congressmen and senators. Like presidents, the finite term limit will put pressure on congressmen and senators to consider their legacy as their terms wane. This will ensure that many will do what are in their hearts instead of what are expedient.
2
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for John McCain. Though I am a lifelong liberal Dem and could not support him politically, I have deep respect for his service to the country he loves. I am sad to see him feel the need to support Trump in any way knowing the insults the odious blowhard billionaire has slung at him and his colleagues.
Please, Senator, think it over, you don't have to knuckle under to this man who neither deserves your endorsement nor your respect. Politics indeed does make strange bedfellows but you need not lie with this wretched dog. You will not only get fleas or rabies you may actually lose your dignity along with your Senate seat. Courage, Senator.
DD
Manhattan
Please, Senator, think it over, you don't have to knuckle under to this man who neither deserves your endorsement nor your respect. Politics indeed does make strange bedfellows but you need not lie with this wretched dog. You will not only get fleas or rabies you may actually lose your dignity along with your Senate seat. Courage, Senator.
DD
Manhattan
2
This is sickening.
Palin was one thing, but this is unforgivable.
The first paragraph of McCain's obit has been written.
Sad, sad, sad.
Palin was one thing, but this is unforgivable.
The first paragraph of McCain's obit has been written.
Sad, sad, sad.
5
I think many of these comments are unfair. McCain is a soldier, doing his duty (the Republican party, in this case). Soldiers follow orders, even if they don't agree with them.
I do agree that it is a very sad state of affairs, and I'm very sorry to see him do this.
I do agree that it is a very sad state of affairs, and I'm very sorry to see him do this.
1
He's an American first, a Republican somewhere down the line after that. That's why people are so disappointed.
McCain has fallen very far in the last decade. I would never vote for him, but I once respected him. Then he put the country and the world at great risk--I don't think that is an exaggeration--by choosing Palin to be a heartbeat from the most powerful position in the world. That was inexcusable. And now this support of Trump--a clear and present danger-- just cements his legacy as a man with terrible judgment. His claims of being a champion of "security" are a joke.
3
I thought the saying went "Country above all" not "my party and my seat above all." Shame on you Mr. McCain. Your Maverick sounds more like Lamerick now. 79 years old still trying to hang on to power. America deserves better and Arizona deserves better.
2
I respect John McCain but at his age and seniority, he should go out with dignity. I'd like to see Senator McCain call out Donald Trump at the Republican Convention for what he is -- a draft-dodging, chicken-hawk neo-Fascist -- and face the loss of his Senate seat. He is 79 and can afford to retire. History ultimately honors those who tell the truth about evil, not those who play footsie with it.
5
John McCain finds himself between a rock and a hard place. He needs the GOP money to fund his campaign in Arizona against a Democrat who is polling. His constituency has changed over the years and there are more Hispanic voters and urbanites than before. Yes, there are still many reliable conservative white retirees from the mid-west who have always voted for him. But when we visit our family in Tucson we notice there are many Bernie bumper stickers. We see the yard signs for local council elections on our trips through small towns near the border and usually they have Hispanic last names. The Mexican-American population has lived for generations in Arizona and they are not going anywhere. McCain has sided with a candidate who called their relatives and ancestors murderers and rapists. Good luck with that, Senator.
10
Not at all surprised. Nearly all the GOP will fall in line. It's not about principles, but POWER.
Just watch. When the GOP Congresspeople they elect push the same pro-billionaire, pro-corporate legislation (tax cuts for the rich, outsourcing, H1B visas to import foreign workers, etc.) that does NOTHING to help the majority white American Trump supporters who are so upset at where they now find themselves, will they wake up?
What will it take? Will they say anything to John McCain and his ilk? Anything?
Just watch. When the GOP Congresspeople they elect push the same pro-billionaire, pro-corporate legislation (tax cuts for the rich, outsourcing, H1B visas to import foreign workers, etc.) that does NOTHING to help the majority white American Trump supporters who are so upset at where they now find themselves, will they wake up?
What will it take? Will they say anything to John McCain and his ilk? Anything?
12
John McCain has been losing his grip on reality since choosing Sarah
Pailn as his running mate and has, in my opinion, become a bitter old man.
As an example of his no longer doing his job as senator I offer the following:
The issue of veterans unacceptable wait times to obtain appoontments at their VA hospitals was uncovered and first reported at the Phoenix VA. I worked at a VA for 15 years and can tell you without reservation that when veterans are not satisfied with their care call their senators and representatives to complain. There is no question but that senator McCain's office received calls regarding long wait times for appointments. It is improbable that his staff ignored these calls and never informed the senator of the issue. He and his staff dropped the ball on this and then he expressed outrage when the issue became public. He has always claimed to be an advocate for veterans but those claims ring hollow to my ears.
.
Pailn as his running mate and has, in my opinion, become a bitter old man.
As an example of his no longer doing his job as senator I offer the following:
The issue of veterans unacceptable wait times to obtain appoontments at their VA hospitals was uncovered and first reported at the Phoenix VA. I worked at a VA for 15 years and can tell you without reservation that when veterans are not satisfied with their care call their senators and representatives to complain. There is no question but that senator McCain's office received calls regarding long wait times for appointments. It is improbable that his staff ignored these calls and never informed the senator of the issue. He and his staff dropped the ball on this and then he expressed outrage when the issue became public. He has always claimed to be an advocate for veterans but those claims ring hollow to my ears.
.
14
He's an advocate for himself. Everything else is show.
1
Is appears that fear of not getting re-elected pushed McCain over the moral divide. Not the most honorable move, Senator; especially coming from a war hero.
13
McCain's endorsement of Trump should come as no surprise.
McCain displayed his lack of principle in his choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate in 2008. That act was far worse than endorsing Trump as just one of the vast chorus of Republican sellouts.
When McCain selected Palin, he put our country in direct peril by creating the possibility that the only thing standing between Palin and the Oval Office would be the health of an old man who had already had cancer.
There's nothing worse he can do to us now. Or to his own legacy.
McCain displayed his lack of principle in his choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate in 2008. That act was far worse than endorsing Trump as just one of the vast chorus of Republican sellouts.
When McCain selected Palin, he put our country in direct peril by creating the possibility that the only thing standing between Palin and the Oval Office would be the health of an old man who had already had cancer.
There's nothing worse he can do to us now. Or to his own legacy.
2
By "gritting his teeth", and supporting someone he stated wasn't qualified, shows just how partisan he is. It shows how the Republican party is more important to him than the Republic. Anything he might have done to show his patriotism, has now been wasted towards the end of his life as he clings to power in whatever way he can. Pitiful.
25
There was a time when an insulted warrior would challenge any knave who impugned his honor to a duel -- rather than kiss his foot and beg to join his entourage.
When McCain chose the Palinic entity as a running mate, it became obvious to all that he was a hollow man, head stuffed with straw. Now we see that Trump was right: he is no hero.
Win or lose, his takeaway from this election will be just the dying echo of a sigh in his hollowness.
When McCain chose the Palinic entity as a running mate, it became obvious to all that he was a hollow man, head stuffed with straw. Now we see that Trump was right: he is no hero.
Win or lose, his takeaway from this election will be just the dying echo of a sigh in his hollowness.
14
By the way, you might want to read up on McCain's right-wing opponent, "Dr." Kelli Ward. She's a real piece of work, if you collect radical loons.
An osteopath who started out at Duke but got her medical degree out of West Virginia and her MA in public health from a very off-brand college, Dr. Ward got herself elected to the State lege after selling her clinic to Obamacare, whose administrators bought out her failing business to get a community health center up and running near Lake Havasu.
In the Lege, she was the sole vote against Arizona's department of child safety. Seems they spend money.
She also believes in chemtrails, and supported none other than Cliven Bundy. I'd skip looking up her other little fantasies, since I have a feeling we all pretty much can guess her stand on, say, Muslims and global warming.
None of this excuses John McCain's pandering. It only makes it a little understandable.
It's a pity the Senator has so little faith in himself, and his voters, to cave to a loon.
An osteopath who started out at Duke but got her medical degree out of West Virginia and her MA in public health from a very off-brand college, Dr. Ward got herself elected to the State lege after selling her clinic to Obamacare, whose administrators bought out her failing business to get a community health center up and running near Lake Havasu.
In the Lege, she was the sole vote against Arizona's department of child safety. Seems they spend money.
She also believes in chemtrails, and supported none other than Cliven Bundy. I'd skip looking up her other little fantasies, since I have a feeling we all pretty much can guess her stand on, say, Muslims and global warming.
None of this excuses John McCain's pandering. It only makes it a little understandable.
It's a pity the Senator has so little faith in himself, and his voters, to cave to a loon.
6
I'm no fan of John McCain, but I do respect his service in Vietnam. I would respect McCain so much more if he stood his ground against Trump. He may lose the election, but he would go out with some dignity and principles intact.
7
If I were in Senator's McCain's position, I would gladly give up my senate seat to avoid supporting a man like Trump. How many terms does the Senator need to feel good about himself? What special service does he render in the senate that he cannot perform from out of that building? I admire the Senator but if I were in Arizona, I would not vote for him. I admire McCain of his youth and service days, not the candidate of today who also wishes to aid Trump's election.
12
People like John McCain and Hillary Clinton, who are willing to compromise for political gain, should not be rewarded with a victory.
4
McCain himself may be able to put aside Trump's prisoner-of-war comment. On McCain's behalf, I won't forget.
8
By contrast, Mitt Romney (whom I did not support) looks like a rock of integrity.
11
Of course Mitt Romney looks like a "rock of integrity" but take a closer look. He's not running for any political office. He has absolutely nothing to lose so he is free to say what so many other Republicans think but dare not utter.
I grieve for this nation because there are no true heroes left; no one willing to speak the truth because they risk loosing power. It's frighteningly reminiscent of the fall of the Roman Republic. Only Cato who was perhaps a bit self righteous, but nevertheless an ardent support or the Republic, stood firmly opposed to the Dictator Caesar and chose suicide over capitulation. Mitt Romney is no Cato.
I grieve for this nation because there are no true heroes left; no one willing to speak the truth because they risk loosing power. It's frighteningly reminiscent of the fall of the Roman Republic. Only Cato who was perhaps a bit self righteous, but nevertheless an ardent support or the Republic, stood firmly opposed to the Dictator Caesar and chose suicide over capitulation. Mitt Romney is no Cato.
2
Excellent article that includes a nice political landscape of the state and its divides. Sen. McCain is one of the great disappointments to me in the current race, along with Rep. Ryan. These were purported leaders of a more honorable Republican Party. The fact that an eminent and venerable member of the party and former presidential candidate himself as well as that the speaker of the House have both caved to Trump totally discredits the party. These were leaders. Now only the Bushes, Mitt Romney, and perhaps Kasich have retained their integrity. David Gerson wrote last month that this was a moral boundary for Republicans. Most have crossed it with barely a look backwards.
Thus passeth away the Republican Party of Lincoln.
Thus passeth away the Republican Party of Lincoln.
13
It hasn't been the party of Lincoln for a very long time.
Two words that destroyed any credibility of mccain - Sarah palin
18
As a Tucson resident and an Army veteran and have emailed McCain's office twice about a VA issue. No answer from McCain. The man does nothing for Arizonans. I'm voting for his Democratic rival, Ann Kirkpatrick. Anyone who supports a lunatic like Trump doesn't deserve to represent Arizona in the senate.
16
I have, and always will, respect Senator McCain for what he has endured and for--at times--putting country before party. But, while Palin might be termed tragi-comic, McCain's support of Trump can only be called tragic. Here is a man that endured torture and has heroically stood up against it supporting a man who has said he will legalize and intensify it.
And of course that is the tip of the iceberg with Trump--a man far too unstable to be given control over the nuclear codes and the world's most powerful military. So much for your love of country Senator McCain. I will be sending a donation to your opponent.
How terribly sad that when you had a chance to redeem yourself near the end of your career with a courageous denunciation, you would instead make a decision that would not simply tarnish, but destroy, your legacy.
And of course that is the tip of the iceberg with Trump--a man far too unstable to be given control over the nuclear codes and the world's most powerful military. So much for your love of country Senator McCain. I will be sending a donation to your opponent.
How terribly sad that when you had a chance to redeem yourself near the end of your career with a courageous denunciation, you would instead make a decision that would not simply tarnish, but destroy, your legacy.
9
Trump is a disaster waiting to be prevented. If he is elected president, it will be because of the spineless, cynical, self-serving pandering of people like McCain, who knows better. Afterwards, all those who should have spoken up will be very remorseful, but by then the damage will have been done.
Is Hillary Clinton really the greater of two evils?
Is Hillary Clinton really the greater of two evils?
5
Trump will help the corporations destroy what is left of the environment, shred every environmental law and send us over the edge with irreversible, catastrophic climate change.
Hillary will help the Pentagon launch further wars of aggression, killing hundreds of thousands or even millions of people while endangering the safety of the entire planet.
Sometimes there is no lesser evil.
Hillary will help the Pentagon launch further wars of aggression, killing hundreds of thousands or even millions of people while endangering the safety of the entire planet.
Sometimes there is no lesser evil.
2
Trump and Clinton are both too grotesque to contemplate as president. And the disintegration of both parties is a necessary, though insufficient, precondition for the revision of the American political system. A boycott of the election for president, depriving whoever wins of any mandate, would give the country four years to find its way again. Allowing either candidate to follow their path with some sort of mandate would further tear the fabric of America, a task at which President Obama has been so proficient.
1
Ain't it great when you do share your thoughts, the Times tells you that they are in the comments, then someone pulls them out? Tow that party line, eh?
3
This is sad to me, but Mr. McCain sold off a lot of integrity when he chose Trump's female alter ego as a vice presidential candidate. What has the Senate done for the people in the individual states they represent? For veterans? I get the dilemma: if he stays in the Senate, even if he's diminished and tarnished, perhaps he can still get some things done. If he loses, he goes home and gets invited to speak for two minutes on news shows. On the other hand, while compromise is necessary and listening is necessary, if winning another term ultimately becomes so important that a man who showed great courage has to cower before such a one as Donald Trump and does so to get elected, it's sort of hard to figure out what the point of it all is.
7
McCain is a hawk hack. That he exposed his intellectual shortcomings and professional incompetence by allowing that woman from Alaska to join his presidential ticket sealed his fate.
He was also the son of an admiral, a really bad bomber pilot (crashed 5 planes), and turned his imprisonment into a political "career", but he's done nothing for the country in that capacity.
He was also the son of an admiral, a really bad bomber pilot (crashed 5 planes), and turned his imprisonment into a political "career", but he's done nothing for the country in that capacity.
10
I hope the obituaries of all these formerly respected Republicans includes their caving to Trump in the first paragraph. Endorsing Trump or just going-along-to-get-along in 2016 taints any of their previous noble stands or achievements. This is a profiles in courage moment and nearly all Republican office holders(past & present) are failing.
19
I voted for Senator McCain in the 2000 primary. He was a far better choice than George W Bush. Even as hawkish as he is I doubt he would have taken his eyes off the ball and instigated a preemptive war in Iraq. There would have been no vice-president Cheney whispering in his ear, nor would there have been a Sarah Palin. It was his political moment in the sun. I thank Senator McCain for being a 'maverick' and for his bravery and service to our country. But his time is long gone and he dishonored himself by the Palin debacle and the support of Trump. As one commentator noted, what are you trying to do to your country now? I wish you had retired.
21
Have you no shame, Sir? Is winning your seat - once again - so important that you must kiss the ring of a buffoon who has exhibited the mental stability of an insecure 12-year-old? Is winning more important to you than our country?
Sadly, we are witnessing an entire political party show America what really matters to them: them.
Please remove your American flag lapel pins, Republicans.
Sadly, we are witnessing an entire political party show America what really matters to them: them.
Please remove your American flag lapel pins, Republicans.
22
Ugh, this lust for power at any cost is unseemly in a 79 year-old man. But go ahead, make you deal with the devil so you an continue to have others kiss-your ring. Remember, though, what happened to Faust when he made his Faustian bargain.
13
I always thought McCain deserved respect. No more. Like his fellow Republicans, he's thrown his "principles" out the window and succumbed to the idea of winning at any cost, irrespective of who it harms and why.
Boehner said it best... "I don't care about anything he says or does, other than winning the White House"!
Shame on all of them!
Boehner said it best... "I don't care about anything he says or does, other than winning the White House"!
Shame on all of them!
11
John McCain has shown throughout his life he will do what he has to do to survive. At this stage of the game however, his life is not at stake. Ours is.
30
How many of our elected senators and congress persons long ago sold their souls to Mammon? So that when Mammon Himself ran for president they'd all fall into line as followers.
McCain is just one example. Of a sorry lot - Void of Ethics. Cowering before a Bully.
How low our country has fallen!
Folliw the numbers, the $$$$, and connect the dots. It's not a picture of the Statue of Liberty you get!
McCain is just one example. Of a sorry lot - Void of Ethics. Cowering before a Bully.
How low our country has fallen!
Folliw the numbers, the $$$$, and connect the dots. It's not a picture of the Statue of Liberty you get!
10
Would rather read the story of McCain, longtime Senator from AZ, finally stands up to the insanity and says NO to Trump. His job or his soul?
16
Senator McCain, there comes a time when your self respect is more important than an election. You need to not follow that intolerant racist jerk and shine like you did when you defended the president when that women accused the president of being a terrorist. If you don't, just call it quits. Self respect trumps every thing.
11
"He's not a war hero...I like people who weren't captured, OK?"
Mr. McCain not only disrespects and belittles his own POW status by endorsing Trump, which is bad enough, but also all his fellow POWs who have served before, during, and since. As a liberal Democrat, I used to regard John McCain highly, even after Sarah Palin was foisted upon us; but this is simply not forgivable.
Mr. McCain not only disrespects and belittles his own POW status by endorsing Trump, which is bad enough, but also all his fellow POWs who have served before, during, and since. As a liberal Democrat, I used to regard John McCain highly, even after Sarah Palin was foisted upon us; but this is simply not forgivable.
14
John McCain surrendered any claim to patriotism when he picked Caribou Barbie to be his running mate in a craven disregard for our country in his attempt to become president. That he has endorsed Trump should surprise no one.
16
McCain has no principles. The only reason he supports Trump is because he knows it will help him get elected in state whose politics are mostly reactionary and right-wing. He confirmed his poor judgment when he put Sarah Palin in the VP spot and elevated that nitwit to the national stage. Now he's supporting Trump? Big surprise.
13
No principles, no values, no morals, and no ethics, save expediency and opportunism. Oh and no shame. In other words: your typical Republican.
13
Rove and Dubya did the same thing to him and he later licked Dubya's boots.
He went through a lot in combat and captivity and should be commended for his sacrifices. However, as a legislator he's been so much more than disappointing.
He went through a lot in combat and captivity and should be commended for his sacrifices. However, as a legislator he's been so much more than disappointing.
10
Just think of the caliber of voters who might switch their votes to McCain because McCain now endorses Trump. Are there really such people who vote based on such obviously arm-twisted half-endorsements rather than on the reality of what they have been seeing with their own eyes for the past year?
Could there be enough of these voters to influence a Senatorial election? An election that might determine the balance of the Senate?
Could there be enough of these voters to influence a Senatorial election? An election that might determine the balance of the Senate?
2
As other have written, McCain's choice for VP in 2008 doomed him and his judgement. Now he endorsed a bigot, racist and a blowhard. Mr. McCain's legacy will be that he caved and disrespected the country he says he loves. He is on par with Congressman Joe (You Lie) Wilson...and their legacies will be their colossal treason to our county.
16
It is very pathetic that McCain, in order to support his eternal ambition will support a fascist like Trump. Another politician caring about himself and not the USA. How can anyone in Arizona vote for someone who can stoop so low just to win his next election?
8
I will agree that John McCain showed a lot of gumption when he withstood years of confinement as a prisoner of war. But I started to lose respect for him when he came back and immediately dumped his wife, the mother of his children, who had been disfigured in an accident. Then he married a wealthy heiress who managed to get her brothers disinherited so she would be sole owner of her family's business. She lives in Arizona while he lives in Washington with Lindsay Graham. Then he picked Sarah Palin for God only knows what reason and foisted her on the country. Concern for his constituents or only himself? Frankly he has lousy judgment.
12
McCain is a good soldier and is merely following his chain of command. The Republican Party says "You will have Sarah Palin as your running mate" and she is his running mate. They say "You will unite behind Donald Trump because the Democrrats are not going to unite behind Hillary Clinton" and he endorses Trump. John McCain serves the Republican Party, not for the good of the American people. The man has nothing but my contempt.
6
I am reminded of sporting giants like Ali and Mays who embarrassed themselves by staying too long in the game. McCain has stayed too long. He has endorsed a man he clearly despises and mocked his selfless Vietnam service - a devil's bargain unworthy of a man with genuine bi-partisan respect. I wish him a quick and decisive defeat.
7
Ali HARDLY embarrassed himself. The man is a worldwide icon for standing on principle.
3
John McCain lost all respect when he went along with the Sarah Palin disaster. That does not mean one should question his military service. That was truly bad taste on trumps part. The fact that Senator McCain hitched his horse to the Palin wagon showed he lacked the judgement to be President. Trump has an even worse problem with lack of judgement.
5
Why no mention of the fact that McCain is polling even (within margin of error) with his primary opponent, Dr Kelli Ward?
Can't imagine what the smug NEers are gonna say if he doesn't make it to the Nov. ballot.
He'll have lotsa free time for those Clinton Global Initiative appearances he enjoys so.
Can't imagine what the smug NEers are gonna say if he doesn't make it to the Nov. ballot.
He'll have lotsa free time for those Clinton Global Initiative appearances he enjoys so.
Senator McCain, Is it so hard to say "I cannot support Trump"
AND SAY
"but here is what I stand for"
Can it be that you're so blinded by 'party' that you can't see the great opportunity that your friend Hillary represents?
You could a true leaders of the "Republicans for Hillary" campaign... the ONLY sane choice of patriotic Republicans....
AND SAY
"but here is what I stand for"
Can it be that you're so blinded by 'party' that you can't see the great opportunity that your friend Hillary represents?
You could a true leaders of the "Republicans for Hillary" campaign... the ONLY sane choice of patriotic Republicans....
11
Like the Japanese of WW II, DT doesn't respects soldiers that have been captured (presumably Trump would have soldiers fall on their swords to avoid being taken prisoner). Ironically, Senator McCain has allowed himself to be captured by the Trump Campaign -- unlike his capture by the North Vietnamese army, his present imprisonment is entirely voluntary. Now, tragically, the senator has abandoned his country for his Party, in so doing he commands no respect.
8
McCain should do a production of King Lear on a reservation when he is forced into retirement this year. Apparently he was born to play the role.
4
et.tu. Senator McCain? Party over country? Is THIS why you risked your life all those years ago in S.E.Asia? How tragic, how sad . . . for America.
11
I cannot be kind about Sen McCain. He deserves to lose. Now in the twilight of his service to his country he has a remarkable opportunity to publicly repudiate what can only be viewed as a terrible mistake by his party to endorse an evil individual for the presidency. And McCain knows this. Yet even after the personal insults not only to him but to many thousands of his constituency, he remains mute. Why? It calls to question all of those brave acts in his career.
9
Ironically, McCain's best shot at re-election would be for him to repudiate Trump hook, line and sinker and run on a platform of thoughtful conservative Republicanism. He might lose 1/2 of his own party's votes (what are they going to do, vote Democratic?) but he'd probably win enough crossover votes, if not to win the race outright at least enough to spend the rest of life with some dignity and self-esteem. The way he's headed now he'll lose everything, including any last vestiges of public esteem. Sad, but then he's been a hollow figurehead since the shameful 2008 race.
5
What a tragedy. John McCain a hero who stood up to interrogation maybe even torture broken by the Republican right wing in a matter of months. First Sara Palen. Now Donald Trump. John McCain was a respected leader of the Republican party when it actually stood for something.
2
Why would a loser want the endorsement of a "loser"?
The Machurian Candidate in Arizona wanted Sarah Palin to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency and now wants Trumpolini to be the President.
The Repulucans are the New Appeassers. Not since Neville Chamberlin declared Peace in our Time have we seen such poor political judgment or such an utter lack of courage.
As usual with the Republicans expediency trumps principles.
The Machurian Candidate in Arizona wanted Sarah Palin to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency and now wants Trumpolini to be the President.
The Repulucans are the New Appeassers. Not since Neville Chamberlin declared Peace in our Time have we seen such poor political judgment or such an utter lack of courage.
As usual with the Republicans expediency trumps principles.
4
Tell me again when McCain has bucked against his party on a real principled issue for political risk? I've always thought the Maverick title was a big stretch. No surprises here, McCain has done just what I expected. I see little difference between him and that lightweight Ryan.
7
He endured torture for his country's sake as a young man. As an old man, he's unable to put country before party.
4
I am no fan of Mitt Romney, but he is a voice of reason and morality as John McCain and other Republican leaders toady up to the vile and bombastic Donald Trump.
Is this the end of the Republican Party, or does it signify the decline of our democracy?
Perhaps the GOP should require that Mr. Trump submit to a mental evaluation to determine his fitness for office. Mr. Romney could then be drafted as his replacement.
Is this the end of the Republican Party, or does it signify the decline of our democracy?
Perhaps the GOP should require that Mr. Trump submit to a mental evaluation to determine his fitness for office. Mr. Romney could then be drafted as his replacement.
2
The challenge for McCain, which it seems he has already lost, is ending his career with or without principles and honor.
4
McCain has made his bed and chosen his bedmate. By doing so he has put party above country. He has also disappointed all who thought there was at least one shred of decency left in the Republican Party. A political party that cares more about itself than the whole common good is not fit to govern and should be put to sleep. It wil save everyone a great deal of pain.
A new party will form after the death of the current Republicans. It will be successful if it learns from past errors and incorporates INTEGRITY into its founding platform.
A new party will form after the death of the current Republicans. It will be successful if it learns from past errors and incorporates INTEGRITY into its founding platform.
3
Why does this not surprise me!! McCain has no moral compass, even when Trump dumps on these 'republicans' they fall over to kiss his ------------boots. They would have voted for Hitler as long as he was in their party. Trump has shown his lack of abilities and his lack of judgement so many times over the last year it amazes me when all his comments and lies are overlooked entirely just for partisan reasons.
4
When a person throws away their deeply held convictions for a sleazy vindictive bully, a vulgar narcissistic individual who has no respect for anyone who disagrees with him, whether friend or foe, that person can only be doing that out of an irrational fear...in McCain's case, probably the loss of the comfort, prestige and power that comes with being a Senator.
The Senator clearly loves material things more than maintaining his self respect and honor. That is very sad indeed!
Of course, irrational hatred of another person can often lead some to make irrational foolish decisions in order to spite the object of their hatred. In that case, I call the bigots, people who drown in their own bitter poison, something of their own creation.
The Senator clearly loves material things more than maintaining his self respect and honor. That is very sad indeed!
Of course, irrational hatred of another person can often lead some to make irrational foolish decisions in order to spite the object of their hatred. In that case, I call the bigots, people who drown in their own bitter poison, something of their own creation.
2
Thanks for this article! I just sent $10 to Ann Kirkpatrick's campaign.
4
The childish and jejune discourse of this political cycle has made for a really busted 2016.
2
I've always thought of McCain as an honorable man, a man of integrity. As far as judgement goes, all you need to know about John McCain is that he picked Sara Palin for his running mate. And now this. Yes Hillary Clinton voted for the war in Iraq along with just about everyone else at the time. As big a mistake as that was, do we really want to find out which was the bigger catastrophe, the war in Iraq or Donald Trump as president?
2
I had the upmost respect for Sen McCain, but this was a very, very disappointing decision. Most people would think after Trump insulted not only many of McCain's constituents, but McCain personally, that he would stand firm and denounce Trump for the demagogue he is. But no; to McCain and most politicians the party comes before doing the right thing. This race is McCain's to lose, and now I hope he loses big.
5
For the good of the country McCain can not be relected he has couse tremendous damage to the country with his policies...He is senile...and should retire!!!
2
John McCain's ideas have for sometime been old and unhelpful. The last productive thing he has done was to provide cover for re-establishing diplomatic relations with Vietnam. His continual support for ever more military spending that would make sense only in a past age, where another super power presented a threat - along with his Republic fetish for unaffordable tax cuts - are profoundly damaging to our economy. It is past time for him to totter off quietly to retirement.
2
I guess politics makes strange bedfellows after all. But at 79 years old and with his record of service, McCain should have nothing left to prove. The dignified response would be to denounce Trump and walk into the sunset with integrity.
4
It should be no surprise that McCain, Ryan and other Republicans are falling in line behind Trump. After all, he is the embodiment of GOP policies of the past 20 years or more. Pro-wealthy, anti-minority, anti-women, anti-science. The GOP made its bed, now it better lie in it. I guess the coming election will show whether American voters are better than self-serving politicians like McCain and Ryan.
2
As the man who gave us Palin, we knew he had no principles that were not for sale.
9
What a comparaison one can make between a sports man called Ali "The Greatest" who really was, and this politician who is totally disgracing himself at his age, depressing but jugging from his last campaign, not surprising.
9
Senator McCain, a war hero, a statesman, an honorable man who defended President Obama. Now let's forget all of that unimportant information. Too bad he doesn't abandon his party and become one of us. Too bad he doesn't back either Democratic candidate for president since ours is the side of truth, justice and the American way. Let's now write about how faulty his thinking is and have him pilloried.
And you still wonder why there is a Trump for president?
And you still wonder why there is a Trump for president?
3
And you fancy yourself the one who is "tired of hypocrisy"?
2
No one is suggesting McCain abandon his party, just the bozo his party nominated, as would a true hero, statesman, and man of honor whose
sacrifice, and the sacrifices of other captives- including those who died in captivity in all of our wars- were insulted and belittled by Mr. "Make America Great Again."
sacrifice, and the sacrifices of other captives- including those who died in captivity in all of our wars- were insulted and belittled by Mr. "Make America Great Again."
1
NY - Absolutely, especially from those who cannot or will not see the hypocrisy on their "side" of the aisle.
John McCain has two problems. With Donald Trump at the head of the ticket, he must break the idea to vote down ballot, Second Republican's in Congress have done noting to help voters their focus is on those who pay for re-election. These two facts are hard to overcome.
3
One after the other, all Republicans find reasons to go with Trump. What a shame!
6
What happened to Profiles In Courage? What happened to "have you no sense of decency"? What happened to honor and dignity and principles?
Selfish, foolish McCain is not that man. Who then will stand up and say, "NO!" Who in the GOP will say, "This is not the American way; this racism, hatred, ignorance, and bullying, is not what we stand for! This man cannot represent my party."
Alas, silence speaks volumes.
.
Selfish, foolish McCain is not that man. Who then will stand up and say, "NO!" Who in the GOP will say, "This is not the American way; this racism, hatred, ignorance, and bullying, is not what we stand for! This man cannot represent my party."
Alas, silence speaks volumes.
.
16
Sen. McCain is gracious, but wrong. Being "in the arena" doesn't make ridiculing his military service "fair game." Donald Trump is a vulgar fascist charlatan and it's not his game.
8
Maybe he should just try losing with divinity.
2
McCain, the guy who gave us Sarah Palin, doesn't like Trump?
I guess McCain has no problems with brainless fools with vacuous, polarizing statements, but they just have to be very attractive and wear high heels.
So too bad for Trump; he just didn't make the grade.
I guess McCain has no problems with brainless fools with vacuous, polarizing statements, but they just have to be very attractive and wear high heels.
So too bad for Trump; he just didn't make the grade.
2
What are you talking about? He just endorsed Trump. He stands with them both.
I guess John McCain has never read Profiles in Courage, because by toadying up to Donald Trump it shows he is not the man of character or integrity he has portrayed himself as in the past.
John McCain is mistaken when he thinks he can support Trump as the nominee, but not agree with all of his stands. I'd like him to really get detailed on how he can justify supporting which can't be described in any other way then Trump's campaign that has a blend of bigotry, racism and nationalism which plays to the lowest common denominator in this country, especially with the White Supremacist community.
John McCain, you are no maverick and now you have just made all of your credibility on issues a joke.
John McCain is mistaken when he thinks he can support Trump as the nominee, but not agree with all of his stands. I'd like him to really get detailed on how he can justify supporting which can't be described in any other way then Trump's campaign that has a blend of bigotry, racism and nationalism which plays to the lowest common denominator in this country, especially with the White Supremacist community.
John McCain, you are no maverick and now you have just made all of your credibility on issues a joke.
6
“The race comes down to whether Arizonans take a step back and judge John McCain for being John McCain and his remarkable life of public service,”
Really? What exactly has he done for the average American? He is a main part of the Republican Obstructuionist Machine, which serves the .01%
That does not qualify as public service.
Really? What exactly has he done for the average American? He is a main part of the Republican Obstructuionist Machine, which serves the .01%
That does not qualify as public service.
10
Why doesn't McCain and all the other old carrier politicians do the right thing and retire? They just can't give up the power and money and the career they have. Instead of a service, as it should be,
For him to back Trump is the ultimate message that the party takes precedent over the constituents. We can only hope that they are smart enough to end his reign.
For him to back Trump is the ultimate message that the party takes precedent over the constituents. We can only hope that they are smart enough to end his reign.
5
McCain is just one more pathetic Republic who adheres to the politics of power-wielding instead of the principles of leadership. His capitulation (and groveling) to the Mein Drumpf after being diminished and disrespected as someone who "got caught" versus the war hero he was is sickening. Have some pride man!
4
Sad.
We have a photograph of our family taken in Washington D.C. with Senator McCain. Our memory is of a gracious man that was patient with our small children. It is from a time without compromise, the day our nation was celebrating the Medal of Freedom being awarded to Rosa Parks in 1996.
John McCain has now been compromised at his core by Trump.
The candidate that publicly and compassionately corrected a supporter about the lies being spread about President Obama's religious faith and heritage has now thrown in with the pathological liar that spread that very "birther lie." A man who served his country proudly and suffered the terrible fate of being a POW is now in the back seat behind a draft dodger that has NEVER served his country in any form whatsoever, and who has ridiculed Senator McCain's Vietnam service.
Sad.
What some of us in Arizona, Republican and Democrat, are hoping, is that John McCain has one last act of bravery and distances himself from the "low life" that has somehow become the Republican nominee. Even if he loses an election, he could still win back his dignity and our respect.
This would not be sad.
We have a photograph of our family taken in Washington D.C. with Senator McCain. Our memory is of a gracious man that was patient with our small children. It is from a time without compromise, the day our nation was celebrating the Medal of Freedom being awarded to Rosa Parks in 1996.
John McCain has now been compromised at his core by Trump.
The candidate that publicly and compassionately corrected a supporter about the lies being spread about President Obama's religious faith and heritage has now thrown in with the pathological liar that spread that very "birther lie." A man who served his country proudly and suffered the terrible fate of being a POW is now in the back seat behind a draft dodger that has NEVER served his country in any form whatsoever, and who has ridiculed Senator McCain's Vietnam service.
Sad.
What some of us in Arizona, Republican and Democrat, are hoping, is that John McCain has one last act of bravery and distances himself from the "low life" that has somehow become the Republican nominee. Even if he loses an election, he could still win back his dignity and our respect.
This would not be sad.
13
John McCain should have retired in 2008. His stellar career has gone only downhill since then. Sarah Palin and now Donald Trump?
6
ABM - Anybody But McCain.
2
McCain is 79 now which probably explains his loss of reasoning and his increased mental weakness. In private business CEOs retire way before that age. Same should be when representing the people.
5
This is so sad. I've always had such respect for him. McCain has sold his integrity..he would have won another election round if he stood his ground and did not join the other Republican cowards in supporting Trump.
5
McCain ran a class campaign against Obama. I recall he would correct people who referred to Obama as a Muslim or Hussein. And he never joined the Birther group, which questioned whether Obama was born in the US.
2
An open letter to Senator Mc Cain:
Senator, it is better denounce Trump for what he is and the damage he can do to America , than to return to the Senate by compromising the principles which have guided you throughout your long and distinguished service to our nation.
Senator, it is better denounce Trump for what he is and the damage he can do to America , than to return to the Senate by compromising the principles which have guided you throughout your long and distinguished service to our nation.
4
Gladiator Trump
Donald Trump says it’s just fine to belittle others and in particular any individual or group who is an opponent or with whom he has an issue. He dodges and counter-attacks with malice. He does not have to be civil or diplomatic as an adult and potential top-government official. He can say anything and is proud that he is not bound by political correctness. He can say little Marco,” “lyin Ted,” “low-energy Jeb,” “crooked Hillary,” “Mexican rapists,” and “Mexican-heritage judge.” He inserts dog whistles and demagoguery in every interview, press conference and speech. He repeats slurs and litanies over and over; he slowly walks onto and slowly leaves the stage waving his arm as a gladiator.
It takes generations and centuries for a country’s leaders -- religious, government, judicial, business, institutional -- essentially all in the the leader class and among lead-the-force individuals in every society’s midst to develop a sustainable empathetic human culture.
What makes America great is that we now have one at the same time that we have a leading Presidential candidate with a party and a group of supporters who would put this great accomplishment asunder. They are doing this with impunity, ignorance and indifference to the consequences.
This is the trademark GOP go-to business model which is based on the failed Mitch McConnell Doctrine – one that promotes blind obstruction, out-of-step social and economic policies, and the election of incompetents.
Donald Trump says it’s just fine to belittle others and in particular any individual or group who is an opponent or with whom he has an issue. He dodges and counter-attacks with malice. He does not have to be civil or diplomatic as an adult and potential top-government official. He can say anything and is proud that he is not bound by political correctness. He can say little Marco,” “lyin Ted,” “low-energy Jeb,” “crooked Hillary,” “Mexican rapists,” and “Mexican-heritage judge.” He inserts dog whistles and demagoguery in every interview, press conference and speech. He repeats slurs and litanies over and over; he slowly walks onto and slowly leaves the stage waving his arm as a gladiator.
It takes generations and centuries for a country’s leaders -- religious, government, judicial, business, institutional -- essentially all in the the leader class and among lead-the-force individuals in every society’s midst to develop a sustainable empathetic human culture.
What makes America great is that we now have one at the same time that we have a leading Presidential candidate with a party and a group of supporters who would put this great accomplishment asunder. They are doing this with impunity, ignorance and indifference to the consequences.
This is the trademark GOP go-to business model which is based on the failed Mitch McConnell Doctrine – one that promotes blind obstruction, out-of-step social and economic policies, and the election of incompetents.
4
While I have not always agreed with Senator McCain I have always believed him to be an honorable man and at age 79 I am left to wonder why he would choose supporting Donald Trump over retiring with his principles intact.
6
John McCain is 79 years old has served decades in the Senate, yet he will not denounce Donald Trumps statements because he wants to get re-elected. Maybe that's enough for the Arizona voters to reject McCain for another term.
Why not stand up at age 79 and say what you know is wrong, So if you go down you go down with class, and You just may Not go down. America needs leaders that will stand for principle, and not just votes.
Why not stand up at age 79 and say what you know is wrong, So if you go down you go down with class, and You just may Not go down. America needs leaders that will stand for principle, and not just votes.
6
It is just incredible that John McCain would support Mr Trump as the Republican presidential candidate. One who even sneered at Mr McCains record in Vietnam. One who is so obviously unqualified to be a Commander in Chief. The military requires a leader who is worthy, a person of character, and honor. That person cannot
be vindictive, ignorant of the constitution, uncontrolled, and irresponsible. How can such a powerful delusion be at work?
be vindictive, ignorant of the constitution, uncontrolled, and irresponsible. How can such a powerful delusion be at work?
2
No surprise. Politicians have a habit of abandoning their positions when they jeopardize their re-election. Republicans were shocked at Trump's effrontery, then his reckless insults, then his grab of the nomination. Now, as his megalomania shows spasms of insanity, they are falling into line. It really makes you wonder, doesn't it?
3
Senator John McCain is a living proof of how the Republican party has changed and adapted.
Despite being publicly humiliated by Donald Trump, the Vietnam war heroe stands by his party's man. A sign of Republican party' strength during troubled times.
Despite being publicly humiliated by Donald Trump, the Vietnam war heroe stands by his party's man. A sign of Republican party' strength during troubled times.
2
Pathetic. He risked his life in Viet Nam, but is now willing to back a candidate who if elected will irreparably harm the nation. Shame on you John.
6
This is a man who is honored for his service not his judgement.
"We are going to make America great again, Ok?" This is a negative campaign slogan. Clearly over the last eight years our nation has lead the global community to advance great positive changes.
It is time for us to change this negative political force in the U.S. Hopefully endorsements like this will incite the newer generation of voters to make choices that will continue to earn the grate respectful global leadership role we have achieved.
"We are going to make America great again, Ok?" This is a negative campaign slogan. Clearly over the last eight years our nation has lead the global community to advance great positive changes.
It is time for us to change this negative political force in the U.S. Hopefully endorsements like this will incite the newer generation of voters to make choices that will continue to earn the grate respectful global leadership role we have achieved.
It is thoroughly amazing the number of Republicans with respected careers, staking those career legacies on Trump.
Win or lose by Trump, the Republican Party is damaged.
Win or lose by Trump, political career legacies of those who follow Trump, as McCain, are damaged forever.
Trump has poisoned the Republican Party, but Republican do have a choice in following him, or not.
Win or lose by Trump, the Republican Party is damaged.
Win or lose by Trump, political career legacies of those who follow Trump, as McCain, are damaged forever.
Trump has poisoned the Republican Party, but Republican do have a choice in following him, or not.
2
I used to admire the Senator despite the fact that I disagreed with many of his politics. Indeed, he was the Maverick.
However, he hasn't been the steadfast man of principle for past thirteen years.
It may be time for him to move one and enjoy his family and retirement.
What a shame......
However, he hasn't been the steadfast man of principle for past thirteen years.
It may be time for him to move one and enjoy his family and retirement.
What a shame......
3
Very, very disappointing. They sell their souls and their conscience for re election. And wonder why w have so little faith that their decisions are made in "our" best interest. He spit in his face and Mc Cain just wiped it away and shook his hand.
36
McCain said "Thank you sir, may I have another."
As Drumpf would say: What a loser.
As Drumpf would say: What a loser.
2
A better man would let the Republican Party crumble and help build a new one. McCain would go down in history as a hero. At his age, he could be a wise elder, even if he loses his seat. As Emerson said, "Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."
23
This was the time to retire with honor.
Instead McCain chose to join Trump in the sewer in a desperate bid to cling to power at any price.
I cringe for McCain.
Instead McCain chose to join Trump in the sewer in a desperate bid to cling to power at any price.
I cringe for McCain.
36
I can't believe he would even meet with Hispanic Business owners.
6
Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell’s support for the xenophobic, misogynistic, bigoted, racist, Islamophobic, lying, demagogic, Hispanophobic Donald Trump holds no surprises. But John McCain has surprised me. I would have thought that he would have announced his resignation from political life rather than have to cozy up to Trump in the hope of preserving his Republican base. Watching McCain bending over to kiss Trump’s…ring is painful to behold.
And so unnecessary. McCain could simply have bowed out and received accolades as one of America’s true senior statesmen, who had more than fulfilled his duty to his country. Instead, he will be remembered as one more Trump mouthpiece. How sad that being a United States Senator has become so obsessive, it has ruined McCain’s judgment.
And so unnecessary. McCain could simply have bowed out and received accolades as one of America’s true senior statesmen, who had more than fulfilled his duty to his country. Instead, he will be remembered as one more Trump mouthpiece. How sad that being a United States Senator has become so obsessive, it has ruined McCain’s judgment.
34
Why didn't John McCain strap on his helmet and fight both Trump and the Democrat? That would have been the Maverick! (and probably he would have had a lot of fun doing it, too.)
12
proving once again that Republicans only create their own jobs at the expense of everyone else.
21
The simple fact is that by catering to the 1% and corporations, the Republican party needs all these crazy bedfellows to win any elections. Only zealots will vote against their own self interest. Now the truth of that vacuum is made manifest.
15
Sounds like Hillary
1
Prediction: when Trump gets demolished in November and Republicans see that the country has kept its moral compass even though they sold theirs to stand with an immoral loser, then will the real soul-searching and self-recriminations begin.
"Did we really just validate that at the core of our party we are immoral, feckless and unqualified to lead this truly great nation?"
Yes. Yes you did.
"Did we really just validate that at the core of our party we are immoral, feckless and unqualified to lead this truly great nation?"
Yes. Yes you did.
27
Mr. McCain is the embodiment of the opportunist over the principled. To win an election, he put the country at risk by choosing the most unqualified person to put on his ticket. Since then, he has done nothing but appear in his usual seat on the Sunday morning shows to pontificate and advocate about and the only thing he knows: War, war, and more war.
If this election does nothing but retire this man to one of his eleven homes, it will have accomplished a great service for the nation.
If this election does nothing but retire this man to one of his eleven homes, it will have accomplished a great service for the nation.
18
This moment will not be forgotten. This moment is what John McCain will be remembered for. Not honor. Not bravery. Not loyalty to his country. He will be remembered for his lack of moral courage in the face of 21st century McCarthyism.
McCain was forgiven for Sarah Palin. He willl never be forgiven for this.
McCain was forgiven for Sarah Palin. He willl never be forgiven for this.
35
McCain is a loser. What has he done for America? Ali accomplished more in his lifetime and he was not even playing politics like this guy from Arizona. Warmonger...
6
Maverick? Ha! How does swallowing pride taste, Senator? This is no surprise.. any shred of independence and integrity McCain had went out the window when he selected Palin as a running mate. His support of Trump is just an extension of that. Party first, country second and anything to pickup few votes to gain office.
He is indicative of the modern gop... willing to sell their soul to any group (tea party, climate deniers, birthers) to gain votes. Now, with Trump, the chickens have come home to roost.
His integrity has been spent on bad bets in the name of vanity. I guess his ego won't allow him to ride off into the sunset with what little he has left.
I hope he loses badly... he deserves that just for giving us Palin.
He is indicative of the modern gop... willing to sell their soul to any group (tea party, climate deniers, birthers) to gain votes. Now, with Trump, the chickens have come home to roost.
His integrity has been spent on bad bets in the name of vanity. I guess his ego won't allow him to ride off into the sunset with what little he has left.
I hope he loses badly... he deserves that just for giving us Palin.
7
One has to wonder if the Democrats will be expecting loyalty from Bernie Sanders' supporters, essentially having to sell their left leaning souls to vote for a center right democrat. Party over Principles. Let's see how many cave.
Yes its sad to see people forfeiting their principles to unite for the sake of 'The Party'. Establishment types like McCain always will, as will those on 'The other Side'.
Please, let your vote not be cast unless there is a candidate that you truly believe stands for you and the future of this country. From what I've seen there is no such candidate, come November.
Yes its sad to see people forfeiting their principles to unite for the sake of 'The Party'. Establishment types like McCain always will, as will those on 'The other Side'.
Please, let your vote not be cast unless there is a candidate that you truly believe stands for you and the future of this country. From what I've seen there is no such candidate, come November.
I'm not "thrilled" with either of the Democratic candidates but I'm not about to let my personal ego dictate my actions.
I will vote for the Democratic candidate because it's the right thing to do for the "We"…...
I will vote for the Democratic candidate because it's the right thing to do for the "We"…...
15
If you have no other reason to vote for Hillary, let the Supreme Court be your reason. But, there are many ore reason to vote for her. NONE for Dastardly Don. None.
1
If the "we" are the people already doing nicely thank you, upper middle class, corporatists, lawyers,Wall Street, the army of champagne liberals and political cronies living it large on the gravy train then YES you are probably right to vote for Hillary Clinton.
I too think the war hero is very sad. Long ago he earned a platform and showed courage to fight the battle he was handed. Winning has now become more important than any core principles. Our country is the loser. Winning has become more important i than the future of our nation.
The odious choice between Donald and Hillary is a false excuse. McCain's only choice is what he as a Republican leader believes in.
His core values are not prisoner of the frustrated unhappy primary voters. They are not to blame. Their preference doesn't exonerate McCain. The primary voters have been deprived of the absence of principled leadership.
Perhaps the North Vietnam prison took all that he had, or perhaps that was all he had . We should not look for any further evidence of character.
It is never too late for courage.
The odious choice between Donald and Hillary is a false excuse. McCain's only choice is what he as a Republican leader believes in.
His core values are not prisoner of the frustrated unhappy primary voters. They are not to blame. Their preference doesn't exonerate McCain. The primary voters have been deprived of the absence of principled leadership.
Perhaps the North Vietnam prison took all that he had, or perhaps that was all he had . We should not look for any further evidence of character.
It is never too late for courage.
6
Mr. McCain, I am a Democrat who respected you for your valor, patriotism, and commitment to ur country. I read about your incredible bravery in a book by Colonel Dramesi, who sited your determination to withstand the torture wielded against you by the Viet Cong. I admired you from afar, but now I think you are a disgrace.
You're old enough that you could, and should, retire in a wave of glory, renouncing the vitriol and decadent ideology of Donald Trump, just as you stood proud so many years ago and never caved in to the demands of the enemy. Trump is as much the enemy as the Viet Cong, even more so, since he walks among us and will destroy our country right in front of us. And you know that.
I always thought you were one of the few politicians who had a backbone, whose principles, and the principles of your country, outweighed any partisan posturing. But I was wrong. You're a sellout. Shame on you. I'm heartbroken...
You're old enough that you could, and should, retire in a wave of glory, renouncing the vitriol and decadent ideology of Donald Trump, just as you stood proud so many years ago and never caved in to the demands of the enemy. Trump is as much the enemy as the Viet Cong, even more so, since he walks among us and will destroy our country right in front of us. And you know that.
I always thought you were one of the few politicians who had a backbone, whose principles, and the principles of your country, outweighed any partisan posturing. But I was wrong. You're a sellout. Shame on you. I'm heartbroken...
33
You must have forgotten about Sarah Palin, when Senator McCain decided that winning was more important than Country.
2
I hope in the future we can all point back to Donald Trump's statements when the right wing berates someone on the left for denigrating our military. McCain has proven himself as weak as every other republican in his slavish response to a man who insulted him. All this just to stay on the public payroll and remain as the Senator of Arizona. Once a self described maverick now just another Trump toady whose goal in life is to die on the Senate floor.
19
John McCain, you are a real hero. Trump is daddy's spoiled little boy. What has Trump done? 4 Bankruptcies, TRUMP University which is a sham and currently under investigation, 3 failed marriages, and a bad habit of mocking people who are disabled. If you don't look like Trump, he mocks you. His hair is a wig. Everything about Trump is fake. Please re-think your decision.
14
Amazing - utterly amazing - what a politician will do to ensure re-election.
19
Going down with the ship. It's not noble.
9
Right now, Trump is laughing and saying to himself, "I am so powerful that I insulted John McCain's POW experience and STILL he came crawling back to me". (Shaking my head in disbelief.)
29
Senator McCain I get it, its "just politics", however you are a much better man than that. Your party nominee is a mutational political aberration, you don't play this game. You've seen more than most. You know, in your heart and soul, what type of person Turmp is. Putting yourself on "his side" that's not you, its a bad-case-of-politics.
8
Of course Senator McCain need not worry about any result... he's already got his millions.
6
Unfortunately John McCain IS the entire republican party.
6
So he's trying to convince anti-Trump people he's for them—while supporting a fraud and unstable narcissist! He could not have sent his honor any lower than by backing someone who is both ignorant and downright dangerous, but he wants people to think he's seriously thinking about real problems.
OY.
OY.
16
Did you forget about Sarah Palin?
1
As Trump would say, McCain is "weak."
10
Someone should send Mr. McCain a copy of his own book, Why Courage Matters: the Way to a Braver Life. It seems he's forgotten his own words.
16
I don't see why John McCain needs politics at this point in his life. He is rich, he's served his country and paid for it in more ways than one, and he has, up until now, had a pretty decent political career. Is this the way you want to be remembered, if you're a true war hero like John McCain? That after all you have been through for your country, you linked your fate to a racist demagogue who denigrated your service? Immensely sad.
10
Clearly, John McCain is no leader.
11
America is in some sort of Laurel and Hardy routine.
6
If support of Trump is the price to retain his seat; McCain should retire. Otherwise he squanders what remaining goodwill remaining among people who once held him in high regard.
8
has he considered retirement? he could retire from Senate and actually do something positive before he dies...why won't these old men in the Senate retire? would you have an 80-year old as your financial advisor?
10
The job of most American politicians is to be re-elected, not to serve the interests of the country, do what's right, or for the world.
One more tooth nibbling away at the foundations of the republic.
One more tooth nibbling away at the foundations of the republic.
8
McCain and Oren Hatch sold out to the tea party six years ago to save their seats. Now McCain is selling out to Trump. To serve, again, in a crazy white state that could be diverse, but face it, it isn't. He is just a crazy old white guy.
10
Why would Trump say something like that about you, Senator McCain? Because he's a bully. Your party has nominated and you are now supporting a bully for President. The modern Republican Party exists for the principal purpose of advancing the rich and strong at the expense of the poor and weak, so this is not all that surprising.
9
Senator McCain's willingness to support Trump is no surprise to me. He has done tremendous work for Arizona, our military and our country but he has repeatedly over the many years in Congress supported Party over USA. This is yet another example. What a disgraceful way to end a long career.
6
During World War II, the Japanese routinely killed POW's, or tortured them for fun, or worked them to death, or starved them to death, or executed them late in the war to hide war crimes. Their philosophy was the same as Trump's. They did not deserve respect as human beings or warriors because they had been captured alive.
No American leader, to my knowledge, has ever expressed this philosophy, except Donald Trump. I'm amazed that Americans are not outraged. I'm saddened that even John McCain cannot keep faith with his fellow POW's just be get re-elected as a candidate in Donald Trump's new political toy, the GOP.
No American leader, to my knowledge, has ever expressed this philosophy, except Donald Trump. I'm amazed that Americans are not outraged. I'm saddened that even John McCain cannot keep faith with his fellow POW's just be get re-elected as a candidate in Donald Trump's new political toy, the GOP.
13
John McCain is supporting Donald Trump because he knows he can't win without the support of the Trumpers. He is putting politics over policy. My question for Senator McCain is this. If the President of the United States tells a soldier to engage in waterboarding or be fired, should that soldier do it?
3
I once found Mr. McCain to be a man of dignity and honor, however as of late he is showinghis true colors. Anyone who picks Party over his/her country because of personal greed and power is nothing more than a complete dirt bag in my book, regardless of his/her military record. I say enough of Mr. McCain.
4
My late Republican mother saw George W. Bush for what he was, and spoke of him as a liar who wanted to get us into a war. She would have been mortified by Sarah Palin.
I'd love to have heard what she would have made of Donald Trump.
She was an old-fashioned Republican who believed that if you love your country, you should pay your taxes so that our troops can have a fair shot at winning a war and get medical care when they come home and so that our infrastructure doesn't collapse. She also liked going to the library. And she was a staunch supporter of birth control and of abortion rights.
These new Republicans must be a craven lot if they can kowtow to religious fascists, to the anti-tax crowd, to the Tea Party, and now to this blustering, mendacious nobody.
John McCain elevated Sarah Palin to prominence and now is supporting Donald Trump. Some patriot.
I'd love to have heard what she would have made of Donald Trump.
She was an old-fashioned Republican who believed that if you love your country, you should pay your taxes so that our troops can have a fair shot at winning a war and get medical care when they come home and so that our infrastructure doesn't collapse. She also liked going to the library. And she was a staunch supporter of birth control and of abortion rights.
These new Republicans must be a craven lot if they can kowtow to religious fascists, to the anti-tax crowd, to the Tea Party, and now to this blustering, mendacious nobody.
John McCain elevated Sarah Palin to prominence and now is supporting Donald Trump. Some patriot.
12
McCain is very overrated as a legislator; his body of work is paltry for someone who has been in office for 40 years. My dad used to say he never did anything but run for president as John McCain. A bit of an overstatement but captures the gist; the shtick is very old. He very much has the aspect of being a media entity, spends an enormous amount of time doing feel-good stuff like handing out medals and then getting press releases put out about it (and griping unconconstructively about President if it's a Dem) and stuff like health care, immigration etc., not so much. I would hammer the crap out of this if I was an opponent. Come up with something like Senator Emeritus (Might be a stretch to assume many people knew what it meant)
5
I like to think I can look beyond my political beliefs and look up to leaders. It's getting harder to find one after the Ryan/McCain capitulation.
5
It is astounding that a man of 79 years would (once again) nudge a complete incompetent towards the Oval Office. Why doesn't he just retire and watch the spectacle in his tracksuit rather than throw his weight behind someone who impugned Mr. McCain's own legitimacy in the course of driving a stake in the heart of his political party?
He should have joined the never-Trump ranks and stood on the right side of history.
It's a sad statement that both he and Paul Ryan would like up behind a con man in order to avoid admitting they were wrong in joining their party's embrace of radicals and anarchists.
I just don't get the revulsion they feel towards Hillary Clinton. In my world, she might as well be a Republican herself. If you can bring yourself to embrace Donald Trump, however coldly, it escapes me how that seems preferable to embracing Hillary Clinton.
He should have joined the never-Trump ranks and stood on the right side of history.
It's a sad statement that both he and Paul Ryan would like up behind a con man in order to avoid admitting they were wrong in joining their party's embrace of radicals and anarchists.
I just don't get the revulsion they feel towards Hillary Clinton. In my world, she might as well be a Republican herself. If you can bring yourself to embrace Donald Trump, however coldly, it escapes me how that seems preferable to embracing Hillary Clinton.
10
McCain must choose his poison:Donald Trump or remain a Republican. GOP wisdom prevails, party before country. Looks like he's been captured again.
8
Sad to see, a once fine man groveling before evil in order to secure his position.
I once respected John McCain, I now grieve for him.
I once respected John McCain, I now grieve for him.
8
it is sad that McCain is now a desperate old man, willing to pander to Trump to keep his seat in the senate. Time to retire and say what he really thinks about Trump.
John Collinge said it best.
John Collinge said it best.
6
McCain has never gotten past the fact that he will never be president. He's a bitter old man who might have been president had he not selected who know who for his running mate. Republicans will do anything to hold on to power, no matter how low they have to sink. We thought his choice for VP was bad; look who he is endorsing for president.
12
HIs straight talk has turned into straight hypocrisy and phoniness. Trump was right - John McCain's POW experience deserves no respect at all. Frankly he is a loser and based on him backing Trump not an American with beliefs in a democracy.
4
I once regarded John McCain as a basically fair and decent man. He lost my respect when he decided to run with Palin. His support of a person who denigrated him and all other former POWs, who are American heroes, is beyond pathetic and contemptible. Like MacArthur, it's time for him to fade away.
8
I am saddened to see Senator McCain betray his Country, a Country for which he was willing to sacrifice life by endorsing a person that has already so damaged it, and could do incalculable more damage to it if elected. You were willing to sacrifice your life, you sacrificed your freedom, surely you can sacrifice your seat in the Senate to speak out against the person who would destroy all you have stood for.
I am a 73 year old former Marine Fighter pilot who was a life long Republican, but can no longer support the Party of Lincoln that so turned its back on the citizens of this nation.
I am a 73 year old former Marine Fighter pilot who was a life long Republican, but can no longer support the Party of Lincoln that so turned its back on the citizens of this nation.
14
I have been very sad to see Senator McCain gradually give up his integrity for political gain. At first, I thought it was an aberration, but now I believe that he really has forgotten while he chose public service in the first place.
6
Not for nothing, the Sycophantic (née Maverick) Senator is doubling-down and inexorable latching his election chances onto the coat tails of Der Donald - what can the polls be showing in Arizona...
1
A Senate seat is dual representation, the state you come from, and, more importantly, the whole of this country's citizens. Does the nation have to suffer because party and ideology comes before putting a person so obviously tainted into the oval office. These are strange times indeed.
2
Between choosing Palin as his VP and throwing what's left of his integrity to the wind by being willing to support Trump, I think Trump actually has it right that McCain is no hero. I used to revere the guy but have zero respect for him now.
5
Around 2000 I read McCain's autobiography. I was impressed with the man. However, eight years later I barely recognized him when he was next in the national political arena. Now only a shadow of the man is visible. To support Trump demonstrates the hold of the GOP. The last shred of his integrity has vanished.
3
It is pathetic. John McCain is just another Republican prostitute for Donald Trump who cares less about the future of the nation than his own re-election. Interesting that he was the first to sip the Kool-Aid when he chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. Now he is all in. When his life flashes before him, he will be in tears at how he ended up.
4
You bought it, so you own it Big John. From his fake orange hair and puffy tanning-bed face all the way to his whatever, you have been 100% Trumped. Hey, say "Howdie" to Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, and Ben Carson (yeah, remember him? No one will in six months), when you see them on the team bus. Oh and by the way, you are pathetic.
5
Party politics "trumps" common sense and decency. A sad day for true American values.
5
time for John McCain to retire. There should be a mandatory retirement age for all gov't workers.
6
With this embrace of Trump John McCain is the face of the Republican mantra, "Party First" !
8
Putting the party first, ahead of the country, says much about the evils of the party system. The men who wrote the Constitution were aware of this. Washington himself spoke against it, yet the parties came into being and the mischief began early in our history. A true patriot puts the interests of the country above all else.
7
This past week, Senator Dole suggested Donald apologize to Senator McCain for his remarks saying Senator McCain wasn't a war hero. Well I don't think Donald is capable of self-reflection and apologizing -- he even said he has never asked God for forgiveness because he is so perfect. Now with Senator McCain endorsing Donald, not a chance.
4
Let's remember that McCain selected Sarah Palin as his running mate. I think this is another indication of his win-at-any-cost mentality.
4
That McCain thinks supporting such a vile human being for president is going to help him get votes in Arizona is a heart-breaking statement both on his character and that of the Arizona electorate.
3
Hillary supports Henry Kissinger, one of the most horrible mass murderers in modern times.
2
At age 79, apparently McCain sees no future for himself unless he is in office. That he's more interested in his career than in retiring to enjoy his family and other activities is sad. That he's willing to lose his remaining dignity, already damaged by Sarah Palin, is pathetic. That he is so in thrall to the need to win that he is willing to inflict Donald Trump on the country is both disgusting and tragic.
4
it just reaffirms the extreme extent of corruption in our political system. There is no integrity no self respect... an ethics in ruins...only greed and a clinging to power are its ethos.
3
Whether John McCain wins or loses this election he will have to live with himself afterwards. He has thrown away years of being respected and honored for his work by backing the despicable Mr. Trump.
9
He threw that away when he picked Sarah Palin as a running mate!!
5
Let's get one thing straight ..... while Donald Trump is indeed running under the GOP flag ....he is not of the hobbled two party system that has brought this country to such an ominous overlooking brink. He played them ...as he could ....like s three dollar fiddle. Millions of Americans have had it to the gills .... with the sad outpouring of useless elements that we finance through Washington in every workday minute. The tolerance is nearing break point. For those that fear and despise Trump ,...one word of real warning.......Hillary
1
In his 2002 memoir, John McCain wrote that even thinking about his involvement in the savings and loan scandal of the mid-1980s made him "wince." His selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate surely qualifies as another wince-worthy memory. Years from now, when he recalls his endorsement of the man who mocked McCain's own wartime experience, and who by every measure is totally unfit for the presidency, he'll likely do more than wince. He'll hang his head in shame.
22
There comes a time when old soldiers are best advised to fade away. This one is obviously either not getting good advice or not heeding it.
1. Picking Sarah Palin as VP eight years ago was a sign that the time had come for Senator McCain to end his years long years of often justly praised public service.
2. Not being satisfied with even an eight year delay beyond that has obviously compounded the problem. But he could then have at least decided to go out on principle. Instead America must endure the spectacle of
3. A senior and once respected political leader kissing up to a disgraceful buffoon who has insulted him and all American veterans.
Is McCain determined to plod on, a shadow of a once effective and independent-minded member of Congress, into sleepwalking sunset years and refusing to retire, until his once well-earned reputation as a brave straight-talking maverick is completely shredded?
1. Picking Sarah Palin as VP eight years ago was a sign that the time had come for Senator McCain to end his years long years of often justly praised public service.
2. Not being satisfied with even an eight year delay beyond that has obviously compounded the problem. But he could then have at least decided to go out on principle. Instead America must endure the spectacle of
3. A senior and once respected political leader kissing up to a disgraceful buffoon who has insulted him and all American veterans.
Is McCain determined to plod on, a shadow of a once effective and independent-minded member of Congress, into sleepwalking sunset years and refusing to retire, until his once well-earned reputation as a brave straight-talking maverick is completely shredded?
31
The headline should read: "Another Republican Sells His Soul"
47
And McCain was one of the few Republicans who possessed one..........
5
@John Edelmann,
"...an interventionist abroad who continues to defend the deeply unpopular war in Iraq..." You suggest: "Another Republican Sells His Soul" as a better headline? How can he sell what he doesn't have?
6-5-16@9:29 am
"...an interventionist abroad who continues to defend the deeply unpopular war in Iraq..." You suggest: "Another Republican Sells His Soul" as a better headline? How can he sell what he doesn't have?
6-5-16@9:29 am
1
McCain has trashed his outstanding reputation as a man of honor. Even lefties respected him for that. Now he throws that away for the sake of his senate seat? Republicans up and down the line KNOW that Trump is dangerously unfit for the president. They KNOW that Trump is a pathological narcissist with no self-control who will cause havoc as the leader in the White House. They all KNOW that, yet they remain scared to death of their base --- the same people they force-fed fearsome, racist garbage to for years in order to get out their votes.
While Republicans deserve their fate, the rest of the world doesn't. The greedy, self-serving politicians who get on their knees before that awful man will be remembered for their betrayal of our country and all it stands for.
While Republicans deserve their fate, the rest of the world doesn't. The greedy, self-serving politicians who get on their knees before that awful man will be remembered for their betrayal of our country and all it stands for.
44
@Casey,
Um, pardon. But not all lefties. This man voted for the Iraq cluster-you-know-what and apparently still defends it. That's hard to respect. And Trump's disgusting insult to p.o.w.'s doesn't change that. Other than that, I think your comment is flawless.
6-5-16@9:48 am
Um, pardon. But not all lefties. This man voted for the Iraq cluster-you-know-what and apparently still defends it. That's hard to respect. And Trump's disgusting insult to p.o.w.'s doesn't change that. Other than that, I think your comment is flawless.
6-5-16@9:48 am
2
I see the endorsement of Trump as a true litmus test of no integrity/integrity. All these people who have been denigrated by Trump: Rubio, Christie, McCain, et al, are now supporting him.
Maybe it's good to have a test like this because it gives you a clear cut view as to the real values of these politicians.
Maybe it's good to have a test like this because it gives you a clear cut view as to the real values of these politicians.
32
That's quite a test. The thing is, this isn't a test. What if Trump wins the election and, reason and sense forbid, the Republicans keep control of Congress?
6-5-16@9:52 am
6-5-16@9:52 am
1
I lost respect for McCain when he picked Sarah Palin as his running mate. Now he's supporting Trump. McCain is 79 and has been in office a long time. Would it be so bad if he stood by his convictions and lost his seat? He was a courageous prisoner of war but today he's definitely not a profile in courage. I don't know how he can support Trump who called him a loser because he was a POW.
34
It seems that McCain's guiding principle is "whatever it takes to get re-elected". Sounds like a typical senator to me.
14
Funny, I thought that was CLEARLY a Clinton Trait
The very fiber of the Republic Party, its lack of morals and integrity, are evident no less in its presumptive nominee than in the callous, unprincipled willingness of its leaders, like McCain and Ryan, to hand over America and the fate of the American people to an incompetent, dangerous and delusional buffoon.
27
Enjoy your retirement Sen. McCain. You became an obstructionist and now a hollow party shill with no integrity or backbone. I once respected you even though I disagree with about 80% of your positions. There is nothing left to respect. The slide began when you chose Palin to be next line for the most important job in the country. Now you say you believe that job should go to Donald Trump.
Redeem yourself! Announce retirement, cede the seat and denounce Trump for what you know he is. That will secure your legacy. Unfortunately ego is propelling you to do the opposite and seek office though your 80s. You will go out with whimper and be remembered as a politician with no shame.
Redeem yourself! Announce retirement, cede the seat and denounce Trump for what you know he is. That will secure your legacy. Unfortunately ego is propelling you to do the opposite and seek office though your 80s. You will go out with whimper and be remembered as a politician with no shame.
23
I despise Donald Trump as much as the rest of you, but I support John McCain's actions because I want him in the Senate. It's his personal decision to react to Trump's statements about his captivity. Trump won the Republican nomination and there's nothing anyone can do about that.
He chose Sarah Palin because despite coming from a modest background she became a governor in her 30s while raising a family including a child with special needs. She is truly an example of what a modern woman can do and her treatment screams sexism more than any statement Trump has ever made. Agree or disagree with her but she deserves respect.
McCain has represented our country honorably his whole life. He loyal both to the citizens of Arizona and his party. As he has his whole life, he will try to honor his commitments and represent his country. I applaud him and fervently hope he is re-elected.
He chose Sarah Palin because despite coming from a modest background she became a governor in her 30s while raising a family including a child with special needs. She is truly an example of what a modern woman can do and her treatment screams sexism more than any statement Trump has ever made. Agree or disagree with her but she deserves respect.
McCain has represented our country honorably his whole life. He loyal both to the citizens of Arizona and his party. As he has his whole life, he will try to honor his commitments and represent his country. I applaud him and fervently hope he is re-elected.
4
If these things were true, Senator McCain would not be having the trouble he is now. John McCain's penchant for high stakes gambles brought Sarah Palin to national prominence without proper vetting. He joined in the obstruction of legislation because it was politically expedient. Now he is hoist on the petard of his lack of principle while promoting an honorable war record.
1
All true. When it comes to the republicans, the left will indict a ham sandwich.
Sarah Palin is a bigoted idiot who caught a zeitgeist, nothing more. She continues to embarrass her family, her party, and herself.
6
Many of the comments here have said what is so, so sadly true. I respected McCain for many reasons even though I didn't agree with all of his political beliefs. Then he gave us Palin which quite possibly could be pointed to as one of the worse door openers to ugly stupidity being so close to the highest office. But now why?! At 79 years old he is willing to eat bile and not maintain any by dignity standing anywhere close to Trump - a man who doesn't even deserve the right to carry McCain's sword... tis a sad day. Change is coming.
13
I have to say it is truly sad to read comments stating "shame on you Senator McCain" or "have lost all respect for him" or even "blaming him" for Sarah Palin's emergence.
Really? Perhaps, just perhaps, Senator McCain's team let him down on vetting Sarah Palin (see the film "Game Changer") or perhaps Senator McCain doesn't want to retire, believes he still has a passion to serve the country, and is trying to determine how to do that in a broken Republican Party that he is still - perhaps, just perhaps - loyal to.
But no, much easier for many to take the high moral ground and condemn him. And judge him harshly. I am no apologist for the man but would suggest perhaps there is a kinder and more compassionate interpretation of recent events touching him.
The condemnation should be exclusively, fully and forcefully targeted to Donald Trump for his snide, outrageous and disrespectful comments.
Really? Perhaps, just perhaps, Senator McCain's team let him down on vetting Sarah Palin (see the film "Game Changer") or perhaps Senator McCain doesn't want to retire, believes he still has a passion to serve the country, and is trying to determine how to do that in a broken Republican Party that he is still - perhaps, just perhaps - loyal to.
But no, much easier for many to take the high moral ground and condemn him. And judge him harshly. I am no apologist for the man but would suggest perhaps there is a kinder and more compassionate interpretation of recent events touching him.
The condemnation should be exclusively, fully and forcefully targeted to Donald Trump for his snide, outrageous and disrespectful comments.
4
"... or perhaps Senator McCain doesn't want to retire, believes he still has a passion to serve his country..."
Or, perhaps he has a desperate passion to retain the political power he's enjoyed most of his adult life – a desperation so strong he's willing to disgrace himself in front of the country he so "passionately" serves.
He'd probably be willing to spend a week or two once again in a box in Vietnam if that's what it took.
Shame, shame, shame. Two words: term limits.
Or, perhaps he has a desperate passion to retain the political power he's enjoyed most of his adult life – a desperation so strong he's willing to disgrace himself in front of the country he so "passionately" serves.
He'd probably be willing to spend a week or two once again in a box in Vietnam if that's what it took.
Shame, shame, shame. Two words: term limits.
1
@Joe,
A vote for the Iraq war, which he's still defending, is serving the country?? Apropos Pain, he could have said "no"; re: the condemnation? How about you respecting your fellow readers's rights to express their opinions?
6-5-16@10:07 am
A vote for the Iraq war, which he's still defending, is serving the country?? Apropos Pain, he could have said "no"; re: the condemnation? How about you respecting your fellow readers's rights to express their opinions?
6-5-16@10:07 am
1
This is probably the most disappointing endorsement for me. I'd hoped for more willing to stand up for principle over party loyalty but expected many young and mid-career politicians to toe the line. McCain however is at the end. Agree with his politics or not, he's served the country honorably his entire life and this is a horrible stain on the end of his career. I'd have had more respect if he decided not to run again because he didn't want to have to endorse Trump to keep his job. He deserves to retire and enjoy his old age anyway.
8
It didn't start with Palin or now with Trump. McCain showed his true colors when he kissed George W. Bush's you know what after W. personally humiliated him in North Carolina's primary. McCain as a soldier was a great pilot and patriot but as a politician he is without honor or courage.
17
Yes, that is when McCain lost my respect, too.
3
Great pilot? He crashed three planes leaning to fly, then crashed on his first mission to Viet Nam.
2
It's not Mr. McCain's first bad judgment call: think Sarah Palin.
10
Poor Senator McCain, hasn't really put a right foot forward since swapping his sobriquet 'Maverick' for 'Sycophant' after being handed his hat in South Carolina during the 2004 GOP primary by the Bush political assassination squad. But now he's truly jumped the shark by endorsing this...this...crass, draft-dodging, self-aggrandizing serial adulterer as the standard bearer - the oxymoronic standard bearer - for the Faith, guns and Family Values party.
So long Senator, it's was fun, it's been nice but not for nothing, endorsing party over country you're singing your own political swan's song.
So long Senator, it's was fun, it's been nice but not for nothing, endorsing party over country you're singing your own political swan's song.
9
Maybe it is the low regard for women that McCain and Trump have in common., e.g. walking out on first wives.
2
Is there NO Republican with any dignity?
18
Apparently not – they just don't make 'em like that anymore.
McCain is a prisoner of war yet again, this time it is Trump that is holding him hostage.
20
And Trump does not, nor has not, disavowed torture - something McCain knows a lot about.
2
He was Swift boated by Trump. Karma is a you know what
5
It has to be about the money. Our governor who was also ridiculed by Trump, now wants to sit down and "talk" to him. Why else would two people, in states that are heavily populated with American born Hispanics, hitch their wagon to someone who calls another American born Hispanic a Mexican?
8
Regardless of how low a Republican opponent went in personally smearing or attacking McCain, be it Bush in 2000 or Trump years later, McCain could always be counted on to fall in line like a good soldier and support that same candidate. Now some might find that honorable, but it has always seemed that McCain's loyalty was contingent on some political reward later. Obviously he was promised party support in 2008 for not standing in the way of Bush in 2000. As for now, I guess he has been promised party support in what could be a contentious election. I don't know. McCain always seemed more reasonable and principled than other Republican politicians, but I now have the sense that that was nothing more than a political act.
6
Mr. McCain, have you no pride? And you wonder why people are so cynical about politicians!
10
W. Palin. Trump. When will the cost of another term in public office be too high for John McCain?
7
When you look at this action by McCain, and some of the other things he has said and done over the years (choosing Sarah Palin?), you have to conclude that the best thing that ever happened to him was getting captured by the Viet Cong. If not for that, he wouldn't be where he is - a long-serving senator.
Other than being single-minded in support of his principles while he was a prisoner of war, he has shown no subsequent commitment to principles other than doing what it takes to get elected.
Is that leadership?
Other than being single-minded in support of his principles while he was a prisoner of war, he has shown no subsequent commitment to principles other than doing what it takes to get elected.
Is that leadership?
5
Seems clear, the reality for the GOP staying an entity, must be difficult. The further reality is, stark that many of Trumps followers got the way, as they are long time Republican voters. Trumps followers , many of who I know, are not all dumb white un-employed males, as the media would have us believe. Many are wealthy, or well off folks who made their own security, always paid their taxes, usually in the top bracket, sent their kids to college and paid for it. Why the beltway doesn't acknowledge their constituency, is a problem. Now faced with a crumbling model, they will turn to support Trump, for the sake of their own hide as they say. My guess is the so called elite have already decided they hope Trump is badly defeated, and will take a pass on the next 8 years of Clintons. Clintons of course to insiders are predictable. Most understand what we get when we get The Clinton duo. After Regan the whole GOP elite started to get into policy issues. I'll never forget Obama running against McCAin and remarking, " poor old John, just doesn't get it" Probably at that time because John was tethered to a Blackberry..
1
As Thomas More said in "A Man for All Seasons":
"Richard, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world... but for Wales?"
Senator McCain has sold his soul -- for what, for Arizona?
"Richard, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world... but for Wales?"
Senator McCain has sold his soul -- for what, for Arizona?
9
Someone lost their head over it.
It is sad for me to see Mr. McCain throw away the last vestiges of his principles in an attempt to retain his seat in the Senate. I deeply respect his status as a military hero, even though Trump thoughtlessly threw that away as if it were nothing. I have also admired his many principled stands as a Senator, particularly campaign finance reform.
But I questioned his judgement when he picked Sara Palin as a running mate and his endorsement of the least qualified candidate for President in my lifetime tells me that it is time for him to retire..
But I questioned his judgement when he picked Sara Palin as a running mate and his endorsement of the least qualified candidate for President in my lifetime tells me that it is time for him to retire..
6
Why is everyone trying to make excuses for McCain? He's not gritting his teeth; he's jumped into the Trump camp because he thinks it's best for him.
Does no one remember how he became know? He was one of the Keating 5 and that's not good. Involved in a scandal he somehow managed to become a household name. He got a pass everytime he "disappointed" people because he was a pow, no matter what he did or said.
My goodness, he's was responsible for making Sarah Palin a household name and nominating her for Vice President!
His endorsement of Trump is no surprise.
Does no one remember how he became know? He was one of the Keating 5 and that's not good. Involved in a scandal he somehow managed to become a household name. He got a pass everytime he "disappointed" people because he was a pow, no matter what he did or said.
My goodness, he's was responsible for making Sarah Palin a household name and nominating her for Vice President!
His endorsement of Trump is no surprise.
4
Oh Senator McCain this just simply makes me so sad for you and our Country.
4
I hate to state the obvious, but finding one member in Congress with steadfast principles is as impossible a find as a pot of gold in your garbage disposal.
5
John McCain has always been about John McCain. He opposed making Martin Luther Kings birthday a holiday until it was no longer advantageous to him. His reputation as a maverick for supporting campaign finance reform was constructed to rescue him after his involvement in the Keating 5 scandal. But of course we need go back no further than his selection of Sarah Palin to be a heartbeat away from the nuclear codes to appreciate the depth of the man's opportunism. The chickens of decades of racist know-nothing demogoguery are coming home to roost for the GOP. Let's hope that their associations with Trump result in the end of the careers of many Republican elected officials this November.
4
McCain is nothing more than a bitter old man with a massive ego. He's addicted to the limelight. His embrace of Trump shows what a pathetic figure he has become.
5