John McCain did not live a perfect life, but it was an important one. He was not without flaws, personal and political, yet he did not excuse his imperfections but acknowledged them. He was not always heroic in act and deed but he was in immutable relentless search for what mattered most to him: the elevation of this country and it's continued pursuit of the best we had to offer.
He challenged the orthodoxy of his party at times, most recently and notably in casting the ballot that acted as death knell of Mr. Trump's attempt to undo the signature piece of legislation of the Obama presidency. But he was also the man who called upon Sarah Palin, a wholly unqualified and uninspired choice, to try to resurrect a foundering campaign against Mr. Obama. And a man who voted time and again in support of legislation championed by Mr. Trump.
Like all of us, he was a person of contradictions. But there was a moral foundation, an integrity that was the heartbeat of John McCain. And it was this essential goodness that we will long remember beyond all else.
In this moment in history, when we are faced each day with the ugly realities of the Oval office, we are deeply saddened to know that a voice such as that of John McCain has been silenced.
6 comments:
Well said!
I like this. Balanced view of the man but respectful.
KS
And, as quoted from an article in The Atlantic he definitely would have passed the Anne Frank question. Which non-Jewish friends would risk their lives to hide us should the Nazis ever return?
Sadly, I will always blame him for the Sarah Palin misstep which will affect our children and grandchildren severely. I believe his latest voice was to ameliorate that seriously tragic decision, but to no avail. I did feel pain each time I saw how he could barely move from his war experience.
Your words were very kind!
RA
You have nicely captured both the
man's maddening inconsistency and his strength of character.
AK
Good letter today. Many of my thoughts. I get the praise but thanks for pointing out that he backed Orange. PB
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