John McCain

Who Was John McCain?

John McCain, the son of a decorated Navy admiral, was a distinguished U.S. politician known for his service as a congressman and senator from Arizona, as well as his candidacy for the presidency in 2008. Born into a legacy of military service, McCain’s early life was shaped by the values of duty, sacrifice, and resilience. His heroic tenure as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and his later political career cemented his reputation as a “maverick” Republican who often defied party expectations. McCain’s unwavering dedication to his country continued through his battle with brain cancer, until his death on August 25, 2018, after he decided to cease treatment.

Navy Blood

John Sidney McCain III was born on August 29, 1936, in the Panama Canal Zone, to naval officer John S. McCain Jr. and Roberta McCain. Both his father and grandfather, John S. McCain Sr., served as four-star admirals, with John Jr. commanding U.S. naval forces in the Pacific. McCain’s early life was marked by frequent moves between naval bases, both within the United States and abroad. He graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1954 before attending the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1958, ranking near the bottom of his class.

Combat Duty and Vietnam POW

McCain followed his family’s military tradition and entered flight school, graduating in 1960. Upon the escalation of the Vietnam War, McCain volunteered for combat duty, flying attack planes in high-risk bombing runs over North Vietnam. On July 29, 1967, he survived a missile attack on the USS Forrestal, which led to explosions that killed 134 men. Just months later, on October 26, 1967, McCain was shot down over Hanoi during a bombing mission. The crash left him with multiple broken bones, and he was taken prisoner by the North Vietnamese.

McCain spent over five years as a prisoner of war, most of it in solitary confinement and enduring severe physical and psychological torture. His status as the son of a high-ranking naval officer led his captors to offer early release, but McCain refused, adhering to the military code of conduct. He was ultimately released on March 14, 1973, following the Vietnam ceasefire, and was awarded numerous military honors, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Distinguished Flying Cross.

Although his physical injuries were significant, McCain returned to the Navy after months of rehabilitation. However, the lasting effects of his injuries hindered his advancement in the service. Despite this, McCain’s resilience and dedication to his country remained unwavering.

Arizona Congressman and Senator

John McCain, a prominent Arizona politician, began his political career in 1976 when he was appointed as the Navy’s liaison to the U.S. Senate. In 1981, following his marriage to Cindy Hensley, McCain retired from the Navy and relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. He initially worked in public relations for his father-in-law’s beer distribution business, where he began building influential connections within the political sphere.

McCain’s first elected office came in 1982, when he won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. His distinguished military record helped him overcome early concerns about his status as a political outsider, or “carpetbagger.” He was reelected in 1984.

By this time, McCain had become well-versed in Arizona’s conservative political landscape, aligning himself with the “New Right” and strongly supporting the administration of President Ronald Reagan. In 1986, McCain successfully ran for the U.S. Senate following the retirement of longtime Senator Barry Goldwater.

Throughout his time in both the House and Senate, McCain earned a reputation as a principled conservative willing to challenge the prevailing Republican orthodoxy. He notably called for the withdrawal of U.S. Marines from Lebanon in 1983 and later voiced criticism of the Reagan administration’s handling of the Iran-Contra affair.

In the late 1980s, McCain faced scrutiny from the FBI and the Senate Ethics Committee as part of the “Keating Five” investigation. McCain was accused of inappropriately intervening with federal regulators on behalf of Charles H. Keating Jr., a major political donor and the chairman of the failed Lincoln Savings & Loan Association. While McCain was cleared of any improper conduct, the investigation concluded that he had exercised poor judgment in his dealings with the regulators.

Campaigns for President

John McCain overcame a political scandal to secure re-election to the Senate in 1992 and 1998, each time winning with a substantial majority. His reputation as a “maverick politician” with strong convictions and a quick temper grew, gaining respect for his openness with the public and the media. He was particularly noted for his advocacy on issues such as tobacco regulation and campaign finance reform. His stance often leaned toward more liberal views, revealing a political complexity that defied simple categorization as a conservative.

In 1999, McCain published Faith of My Fathers, a memoir detailing his family’s military heritage and his personal experiences as a prisoner of war. The book’s success helped elevate him as a formidable challenger for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, standing in opposition to the front-runner, Texas Governor George W. Bush. His straightforward communication style resonated with many across the political spectrum, gaining support from both Republicans and Democrats. McCain’s victory in the New Hampshire primary, by a wide margin, was largely fueled by independent voters and Democrats crossing over.

Despite his success in New Hampshire and victories in Michigan and Arizona, McCain’s campaign faltered after Bush triumphed in South Carolina, and McCain’s momentum slowed. Bush’s victories on “Super Tuesday” in March, including key states like New York and California, made McCain’s path to the nomination increasingly difficult. Although McCain continued to win support in several New England states, the gap in delegates proved insurmountable. On May 9, 2000, after a prolonged suspension, McCain formally endorsed George W. Bush as the Republican nominee.

In 2001, McCain returned to the national spotlight during the Senate’s debate on campaign finance reform. After six years of advocacy, McCain, alongside Democratic Senator Russell D. Feingold, succeeded in passing the McCain-Feingold Act, a significant overhaul of the campaign finance system. The law, which banned “soft money” contributions to political parties, was passed with a vote of 59-41. The law was narrowly upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2003, cementing McCain’s legacy as a key figure in the fight for campaign finance reform.

Maverick Reputation

Senator John McCain earned a reputation as a political maverick, often taking independent stances that set him apart from both his party and the administration. While he supported the Iraq War, McCain was a vocal critic of the Pentagon, particularly regarding the low troop presence in Iraq. His concerns led him to publicly declare a lack of confidence in the leadership of then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Despite this, McCain supported the 2007 troop surge of more than 20,000 soldiers, a strategy his supporters believed contributed to improved security in Iraq.

McCain’s relationship with President George W. Bush was similarly marked by both support and dissent. In 2004, McCain backed Bush’s bid for reelection but disagreed with him on key issues such as torture, illegal immigration, and a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Additionally, McCain defended Bush’s Vietnam War record during the campaign against Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, which had been subject to critical scrutiny.

In 2007, with President Bush limited to two terms, McCain officially announced his candidacy for the 2008 presidential election. He secured the Republican nomination and delivered a speech outlining his vision for the nation. “Now, we begin the most important part of our campaign: to make a respectful, determined and convincing case to the American people that our campaign and my election as president, given the alternatives presented by our friends in the other party, are in the best interests of the country we love,” he stated. Despite this, McCain’s campaign struggled to gain traction, often overshadowed by the public focus on his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Meanwhile, Illinois Senator Barack Obama surged to a historic victory, winning nearly 53 percent of the popular vote and securing 365 electoral votes, compared to McCain’s 173.

Support for Presidential Candidates

At the 2012 Republican National Convention, McCain lent his support to presidential nominee Mitt Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan. McCain’s convention speech focused on the need for a change in American foreign policy and highlighted the importance of a new approach to military action in the Middle East, specifically regarding Syria and Iran. He remarked on the outcome of the 2008 election, saying, “I had hopes once of addressing you under different circumstances. But our fellow Americans had another plan four years ago, and I accept their decision.” McCain expressed that Romney’s nomination was more than a political victory, emphasizing the higher cause of ensuring the nation’s well-being and global stability.

Clashing with Donald Trump

In the 2016 election cycle, McCain found himself at odds with Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee. McCain criticized Trump for “firing up the crazies” within the Republican Party, a remark that prompted Trump to attack McCain’s military service, famously stating, “He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” Despite this, McCain eventually endorsed Trump, though he withdrew his support after the release of a 2005 recording in which Trump made lewd comments about women. Although McCain’s endorsement faltered, Trump ultimately won the presidency in a surprise victory over Hillary Clinton.

Following Trump’s inauguration, McCain, as chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, became a key figure in scrutinizing the administration, particularly regarding allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election. McCain strongly supported the intelligence community’s assessment of Russian meddling and voiced his concerns about Trump’s amicable relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Health Care Holdout and Tax Reform

On July 25, 2017, less than two weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot above his eye and being diagnosed with a brain tumor, Senator John McCain made a dramatic return to the Senate to cast a decisive vote on the repeal of Obamacare. Despite his health challenges, McCain delivered an impassioned speech urging bipartisanship and cooperation, though he also made it clear that he would not support the bill in its current form.

On the morning of July 28, McCain again took center stage. After conferring with several senators and Vice President Mike Pence, he delivered a critical “no” vote on the “skinny repeal” bill, effectively derailing its passage. His decision was in line with his belief that a more thoughtful, bipartisan approach to health care reform was necessary.

Two months later, McCain continued to oppose efforts to repeal Obamacare. When Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy introduced another proposal, McCain again withheld his support. “I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried,” he explained. He further emphasized his concerns about the potential impact on insurance premiums and the lack of clarity about who would benefit from the bill.

Later in the year, McCain demonstrated his willingness to support significant legislation when he backed the Senate’s tax reform bill. In a statement, McCain acknowledged the bill’s imperfections but expressed his belief that it would boost American competitiveness, stimulate the economy, and provide tax relief for middle-class families. His vote was instrumental in the Senate’s narrow passage of the tax reform package in early December.

Even while away from the Senate in early 2018, McCain remained a vocal figure on key issues. He notably voiced concern over a controversial House memo alleging FBI and DOJ misconduct regarding a Trump campaign wiretap warrant. McCain cautioned against undermining the nation’s intelligence community, stating that such actions played into the hands of foreign adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin.

McCain also collaborated with Senator Chris Coons on immigration reform legislation and weighed in on U.S. foreign policy, specifically regarding Syria. His remarks about President Trump’s comments on Syria and his influence on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were seen as prophetic, as al-Assad later faced accusations of launching chemical attacks on his people.

Book: ‘The Restless Wave’

In April 2018, McCain released an excerpt from his memoir The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations. The memoir provides insight into McCain’s cancer diagnosis and its aftermath, giving him a unique platform to speak his mind without the constraints of political pressure. He reflected on his desire to see a return to more civil, bipartisan political discourse in America and warned against ideological division. McCain also expressed his gratitude for his life and achievements, quoting For Whom the Bell Tolls: “The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for and I hate very much to leave it.”

Personal Life

McCain’s first marriage, to Carol Shepp in 1965, ended in divorce in 1980. He later married Cindy Lou Hensley, the daughter of a prominent Arizona beer distributor, in 1980. Together, they had four children: Meghan, Jack, Jimmy, and Bridget, who was adopted from Bangladesh in 1993.

McCain’s health had been a concern for years. In 2000, he was treated for skin cancer, and in 2001, he underwent prostate surgery. His most significant health challenge, however, came in 2017 when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, McCain continued his work in the Senate throughout his treatment.

Brain Cancer Diagnosis

McCain’s diagnosis was announced on July 14, 2017, following surgery to remove a blood clot. The discovery of glioblastoma, a cancer that had previously claimed the life of his colleague, Senator Edward Kennedy, shocked the nation. Despite the severity of his condition, McCain remained determined to continue his work in the Senate.

By December 2017, McCain had faced complications from his cancer treatment, which led to a brief hospitalization. However, he remained engaged in his duties and continued to receive support from his colleagues and family.

End of Treatment and Death

On August 24, 2018, McCain’s family announced that he had decided to discontinue further cancer treatment. One day later, McCain passed away at the age of 81 at his home in Sedona, Arizona. His daughter, Meghan, reflected on his legacy, saying, “All that I am is thanks to him.”

McCain’s death was met with tributes from around the world, including from his wife, Cindy, who expressed her heartbreak on Twitter. The following days saw a series of memorials, including a public viewing of his body at the Arizona Capitol and a memorial service in Phoenix. On September 1, McCain was laid to rest in Washington, D.C., after a funeral attended by dignitaries and family members.

In the aftermath of his death, McCain’s office released a final letter from the senator. In it, he urged Americans to unite and reaffirmed his belief in the enduring greatness of the United States, saying, “We never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.”

Despite tensions between McCain and President Trump, who initially withheld a formal statement upon McCain’s death, tributes flowed in from across the political spectrum, recognizing McCain’s service and legacy.