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U.S. Senator John McCain dead at 81 from brain cancer

In more than three decades in Congress, McCain became known as a political maverick willing to stick to his convictions rather than go along with party leaders

August 25, 2018, 9:02 PM EDT, The Associated Press, , National Post, https://nationalpost.com/news/...senator-brain-cancer

U.S. Senator John McCain died at 81 on Saturday from brain cancer.J. Scott Applewhite / AP

John McCain, the war hero who became the GOP’s standard-bearer in the 2008 election, has died. He was 81.

His office says the Arizona senator died Saturday afternoon. He had battled brain cancer.

In 1967, his plane was shot down on a bombing mission over North Vietnam. He was severely injured and spent more than five years as a prisoner of war.

He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and the Senate in 1986. A conservative on most issues, he pushed for campaign finance reform and the effort to account for those missing in Vietnam.

He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, then won it in 2008. But he and running mate Sarah Palin lost to Barack Obama.

FILE – In this Dec. 1, 2017, file photo, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., leaves a closed-door session on Capitol Hill in Washington. J. Scott Applewhite / AP

In more than three decades in Congress, McCain became known as a political maverick willing to stick to his convictions rather than go along with party leaders — an independent streak that has drawn a mix of respect and ire.

Most recently, he has been a thorn in the side of President Donald Trump, keeping up his criticism of the White House even while undergoing severe medical treatment in Arizona.

In July, he issued a searing rebuke of Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it a “tragic mistake” and “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”

The son and grandson of Navy admirals, McCain is a former Navy pilot. He was elected to Congress in 1982 and to the Senate four years later, replacing the retired Barry Goldwater.

McCain underwent surgery in July 2017 to remove a blood clot in his brain after being diagnosed with an aggressive tumor called a glioblastoma. It’s the same type of tumor that killed Sen. Edward M. Kennedy at age 77 in 2009.

McCain rebounded quickly, however, returning to Washington and entering the Senate in late July to a standing ovation from his colleagues. In a dramatic turn, he later cast the deciding vote against the Republican health care bill, earning Trump’s enduring wrath.

In this Oct. 30, 2008 file photo, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by his daughter Meghan McCain, waves to supporters as he enters a campaign rally in Defiance, Ohio. Stephan Savoia / AP

McCain’s condition worsened last fall, and he has been in Arizona since December. A source close to McCain who asked not to be identified said Friday the senator was at his Arizona ranch with his family.

He is a long-term survivor of melanoma, a deadly skin cancer. But doctors classified his brain cancer as a “primary tumour,” meaning it’s not related to his former malignancies.

McCain ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, then won it in 2008 before losing the general election to Obama.

When Republicans took control of the Senate in 2015, McCain embraced his new influence as chairman of the Armed Services Committee, pushing for aggressive U.S. military intervention overseas and eager to contribute to “defeating the forces of radical Islam that want to destroy America.”

Asked how he wanted to be remembered, McCain said: “That I made a major contribution to the defence of the nation.”

Former Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, a close friend, said Friday that “becoming John McCain’s friend has been one of the great blessings of my life. Today I am praying for him and his family.”

Mitt Romney, the GOP’s 2012 presidential nominee, said on Twitter, “No man this century better exemplifies honor, patriotism, service, sacrifice and country first than Senator John McCain. His heroism inspires, his life shapes our character. I am blessed and humbled by our friendship.”

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Joe Biden: I'm a Democrat and I love John McCain

CNN, Published on Aug 30, 2018,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Gx1N4VIu0

Former Vice President Joe Biden spoke at Sen. John McCain's funeral service in Arizona, where he described the late senator as a "brother."

FM

This John McCain was one lucky son of a gun. The man survive a plane crash over enemy territory, the man survive 5 years in the Hanoi Hilton jail in North Vietnam, then as a married man with kids he then marries a single good looking woman who is a multi billionaire, then the man became Senator for life. 

Prashad
Prashad posted:

This John McCain was one lucky son of a gun. The man survive a plane crash over enemy territory, the man survive 5 years in the Hanoi Hilton jail in North Vietnam, then as a married man with kids he then marries a single good looking woman who is a multi billionaire, then the man became Senator for life. 

Hope you learn something. 

Mitwah

Former President George W. Bush tribute to Senator John McCain -- FULL VIDEO (C-SPAN)

C-SPAN, Published on Sep 1, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=754PNXgyTyg

Former President George W. Bush tribute to Senator John McCain at National Cathedral Memorial Service. Full video here: https://cs.pn/2N97C3R

FM
Chief posted:

Bush ripped into Trump without calling his name.

All the speakers ripped into Trump. He headed to his golf course while Washington mourned McCain. Didn't you see Ivanka busy tweeting 'Daddy, they're talking about you?'  

FM
Leonora posted:

Sarah Palin was banned from the funeral because she caused his downfall in his 2008 run for President.

I believe disinviting her was a bit uncalled for and brought McCain down.  She was his running mate and did breathe excitement into his run.  She has every right to support who she wishes. 

FM

This is the first funeral where grudges play deep into who is invited or not. All over the blasted media is saying that Bush and Obama giving eulogies to McCain while Trump playing golf.  Hell yes, there is no two ways about not invited the president. Screw them and go play with your balls. I never know white people can pusser-pusser too. 

FM

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