The passing of Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has left a nation deep in mourning. Longtime Republican allies and long-embattled Democratic rivals have rallied together to celebrate a life of public service and patriotism, with the latter group putting aside their problems with McCain’s lengthy, problematic voting record to celebrate his legacy as an American statesman.
Trump, in full petty form, chose to disrespect McCain’s death by blocking a White House Press release calling the late senator a “hero” and then prematurely ordered the White House flags returned to full-mast from half-staff, the state they had been placed in to honor McCain’s passing.
But while the president thrashes about, pathetically trying to exact revenge on the man who repeatedly criticized him and famously torpedoed his “skinny repeal” of Obamacare, the barbs are failing to really land.
Even now, McCain seems far above such childish posturing. Trump has not been invited to the funeral, a simple yet effective rebuke of the president. On top of that, the outpouring of respect and kind words for the senator is an in-kind challenge to Trump, one of the most hated and least respected men in the world.
Now, Rick Davis, the former campaign manager for John McCain’s unsuccessful 2008 presidential campaign and his 2000 Republican presidential primary bid, has shared a letter that McCain asked him to read.
As should be expected, the letter is bursting with love for the United States, the nation to which McCain devoted his entire life. There was also what appeared to be a subtle dig at Trump, as McCain wrote that Americans shouldn’t “hide behind walls.”
Emma Loop of BuzzFeed News recounted the story:
Rick Davis says McCain asked him to read a letter.
“This will be somewhat difficult,” he says, clearing his throat.
— Emma Loop (@LoopEmma) August 27, 2018
McCain's letter begins by thanking Americans for allowing him to serve them.
"I’ve made mistakes but hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them,” McCain says.
— Emma Loop (@LoopEmma) August 27, 2018
"I lived and died a proud American” — McCain
— Emma Loop (@LoopEmma) August 27, 2018
"We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism” with tribalism, hide behind walls & doubt the power of our ideals, McCain says.
— Emma Loop (@LoopEmma) August 27, 2018
Americans don’t hide from history, they make history, McCain says in closing.
— Emma Loop (@LoopEmma) August 27, 2018
BREAKING: A "final message" from the late John McCain is read by an aide. pic.twitter.com/RLZRGfOAQ4
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 27, 2018
Regardless of which side of the aisle you stand on, McCain’s words resonate with truth and power. Now, more than ever, we need to stake our identities as proud Americans and push back against the forces of racism, xenophobia, and authoritarianism that threaten to wash away into darkness.
