Up until 2015, Senator John McCain
had a lot of things to be proud of. He had served his country bravely, he handled himself honorably in the eyes of most all Americans when he was captured by the North Vietnamese in Oct 1967 during a bombing mission.
Ensign McCain spent five and a half years in the famous “Hanoi Hilton” POW camp in Vietnam, despite being offered early release. McCain’s father; being a 4 Star Admiral, afforded McCain an opportunity to that special privilege, but he declined. McCain insisted he would only go if his fellow POWs would be released with him.
This was about the best test of bravery and heroism that I can fathom.
Ensign McCain spent the first couple of years being viciously beaten and tortured within inches of his life. He was also subjected to extended periods of time In solitary confinement. To suffer this kind of treatment for such a long time, while having the option of using your connections to make it stop is proof of an inner strength that I question within myself.
It is truly the personification of a HERO.
Since McCain’s return to America after the war, he was promoted to Squadron Leader and retired in 1981 as a Captain. Captain McCain’s combat awards include the Legion of Merit with Combat “V,” the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and numerous campaign medals. McCain was elected to the US Senate in 1987, representing the great state of Arizona (Republican). He has served his state well, while having a reputation of being a “maverick" in the Senate. He was willing to cross party lines to fight for things he believed were right. Even within a very polarized electorate, Sen. McCain didn’t allow partisan politics to be the ultimate decider when it ran against his own personal views; A HERO of sorts.
When Sen. McCain ran for President in 2008 against Sen. Barrack Obama, there was an obvious cross section of Republican supporters that bought into the campaign a narrative about McCain’s opponent being “foreign” or “invalid” as an Presidential candidate. During one of Sen McCain’s famous town halls, a woman commented to him that “she didn’t trust (Obama)” and that he was “an Arab”. Being the honorable man that McCain was, he stopped the woman and replied "No ma'am. He's a decent family man, citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues”. Again, an opportunity to show what a HERO John McCain was. He lost the election, but he showed a great deal of class.
Since that election, McCain has maintained his seat in the Senate and although I don’t subscribe to his politics, he has been a status quo Republican Senator. He has shifted a fair bit to the right in order to avoid being primaried by special interest groups (like the Koch Brothers and The Heritage Foundation). He, for the most part has maintained a low profile and has stuck to his parties talking points and votes in the Senate.
Fast forwarding to 2016
Although John McCain suggested during the primaries that voters “be very careful” when voting for Donald Trump as the US Commander-In-Chief, he wasn’t willing to maintain that stance down the road to the Federal Election. On May 8th, Senator John McCain endorsed Donald Trump for his Presidential Nominee. McCain chose to do this despite Trump stating in an interview in July 2015 that McCain was “Not a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured". Although McCain told the media that Trump owed POWs an apology, an apology was never offered.
As a man, who has endured war and has suffered like he did, I would’ve expected a patriot like MCain to be principled enough to disown a man who scoffs at the bravery and loyalty his fellow POWs showed for their country.
McCain continues to support Donald Trump’s run for the Whitehouse. Not exactly what I see as “Heroic”
During this election cycle, John McCain has also been running for re-election for his Senate seat. John has been walking a tightrope in his state. There is a big Trump movement in Arizona. The Senator realizes that he may very well lose his election if he doesn’t endorse The Donald. He also recognizes that his seat might be the difference between the GOP losing the Senate majority to the Democrats. Should the Dems take the Senate, it would surely change the power swing of the Supreme Court. I’m sure he wants to prevent this, But at what cost?
Donald Trump has shown time after time during this election that he is unfit to be President, putting Americans (and the whole world) in danger, but Senator John McCain appears more concerned about his job. Is this what he has become? What happened to “The Maverick”? What happened to doing what is right?
Donald Trump is only partially correct. John McCain is not a hero. He WAS a hero and for a long time, but he has decided that saving his own job is more important than the safety of the world. A man with such a distinguished military career should see this “clear and present danger” for what it is! Iran is the least of America's worries, Mr. Senator.
Here is some things to consider, sir:
- Control over the US Supreme Court is not worth handing over US Nuclear capabilities to a man-child with the obvious psychological problems of Kim Jung Un
- You’re 80 years old and independently wealthy! You don’t need the job.
Why not use what is left of your political capital to show Americans that you will not compromise your principles to win an election you don't really need to win?
Why not end your distinguished career as the HERO you used to be?
Denounce Donald Trump, withdraw your endorsement.......and go fly fishing or something.
You know you really want to.