Remembering John McCain

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MAY 29, 2017: CANBERRA, ACT - (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) U.S. Senator John McCain looks at the Roll of Honour after the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. (Photo by Kym Smith/Newspix/Getty Images)
John McCain wasn't like most politicians
01:43 - Source: CNN

What you need to know

  • John McCain: The Arizona senator has died. He was 81.
  • Career and service: He was a naval bomber pilot, prisoner of war, conservative maverick, giant of the Senate and twice-defeated presidential candidate.
  • The tributes:?Politicians, world leaders and former presidents paid tribute to McCain.
49 Posts

A look back at John McCain's life

War hero, conservative maverick and two-time presidential candidate Sen. John McCain?died Saturday?at his home in Arizona at the age of 81.

We’re wrapping up our live coverage, but if you are looking for more on McCain’s life and career, you can …

Russian politicians react to McCain’s death

Senior Russian politicians reacted Sunday to news of the death of Sen. John McCain, describing him as a Cold Warrior who maintained a consistently hard line on Russia during his long political career.?

Konstantin Kosachev, the chair of the foreign affairs committee in the Russian senate, described McCain in a Facebook post as a “colorful senator” who was also a “a highly ideologically driven politician.”?

Oleg Morozov, another senator, said McCain was “honest in his hatred of Russia,” state news agency RIA-Novosti reported.

“He is the symbol of outspoken anti-Russian thinking, in essence: Russia cannot be anything other than hostile,” Morozov said, according to RIA-Novosti.

Alexey Pushkov, another prominent Russian senator, recalled engaging in a debate with McCain on the Syria crisis at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Russian state television: McCain a “symbol of Russophobia”

Russian state television on Sunday described Sen. John McCain as the “main symbol of Russophobia,” calling the senator an ardent hawk and opponent of Russian national interests.

The Sunday evening edition of the news program Vesti highlighted McCain’s bellicose rhetoric, saying world affairs “would have been even more catastrophic” had he not lost his presidential bid in 2008.

Russian state television also highlighted McCain’s support for pro-democratic revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine, suggesting that the senator sought to contain or encircle Russia.

?“Long before the coup in Ukraine, McCain had become the main symbol of Russophobia, calling Russia a bigger threat than ISIS and calling for turning Syria into a second Afghanistan for Russia,” the broadcast stated.

How John McCain's running mate remembered him

John McCain and his vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin laugh during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in 2008

Sarah Palin, who was John McCain’s vice presidential pick when he ran for president in 2008, called the late senator an “American original.”

Here’s her full tribute on Twitter:

John McCain will lie in state in Arizona Wednesday

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey just announced John McCain’s body will lie in state at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix on Wednesday.

Also there will be a service for him in Arizona this week, a Republican close to the McCain family told CNN.

After that, his body will be brought back to Washington.

There, McCain will lie in state at the US Capitol. There will also be a full funeral service for him at the Washington National Cathedral, the Republican said.

Dates for those have not been announced

Following the Washington ceremonies, McCain will be taken to Annapolis, where he will be laid to rest.

Mitch McConnell confirms John McCain will lie in state at US Capitol

Mitch McConnell and John McCain on Capitol Hill in 2009.

CNN reported earlier today that John McCain will lie in state in the US Capitol. Now, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office has confirmed it.

McConnell’s office did not release any details about the timing of the ceremony.

McConnell continued: “The Senate is keeping Cindy, the McCain family, all John’s friends and staff, and the people of Arizona in our prayers at this tremendously difficult time … I appreciate my colleagues and the entire Senate and House family’s assistance with this honor.”

Sen. Chuck Schumer: "I am mourning, America is mourning"

Chuck Schumer (r.) and John McCain walk out of the West Wing of the White House in 2013.

Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer called John McCain one of his “closest friends in the Senate,” while speaking about the late senator at a press conference this morning.

Schumer announced that he’s introducing a resolution to rename the Senate’s Russell office building after the late Sen. John McCain.

Here’s how he explained what the name change could mean:

“I’d like, decades from now, little children to ask their parents, ‘Who was John McCain?’ and they’ll explain his sacrifice, his patriotism, and most of all his fidelity to do the right thing as he saw it,” Schumer said.

How the sports world is honoring McCain

The Arizona Diamondbacks paid tribute to the late US Senator John McCain during a game against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix on Saturday

Arizona’s sports teams are paying tribute to Sen. John McCain following his Saturday evening death.

Bleacher Report’s Tyler Conway explained the role sports played in McCain’s life: A boxer in the Naval Academy in the 1950s, McCain was instrumental in the passing of the?Muhammad Ali Act, a law designed to protect the health and financial welfare of boxers. He was also a proponent of pardoning former heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, which President Donald Trump did earlier this year.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, which played the Seattle Mariners last night, displayed McCain’s photo on the field during the game. The team also tweeted out this tribute:

The Phoenix Suns shared this statement on McCain:

And the Arizona Cardinals — and one of its players — shared tributes to the late senator.

See the White House flags fly at half-staff for John McCain

The flag over the White House flies at half staff Sunday after the death of Senator John McCain.

Flags at the White House have been lowered to half-staff to honor the late Sen. John McCain.

President Trump tweeted his “deepest sympathies and respect” to the family of the senator after his?death was announced?on Saturday night.

How the front pages are paying tribute to McCain

John McCain’s Saturday evening death made the front pages of newspapers across the country.

Here’s the full-page tribute the Arizona Republic in Phoenix ran this morning:

The Arizona Daily Star in Tucson also dedicated the entire front page to McCain:

Here’s how The Washington Post covered the news:

McCain was also featured on the front page of The New York Times:

Arizona governor won't appoint someone to McCain's Senate seat until he's buried

Sen. John McCain speaks on Capitol Hill in April 2016

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey will not announce who he will appoint to serve in John McCain’s seat in the US Senate until after McCain is buried, out of respect for the senator and his family, according to Ducey’s office.?

Here’s the statement from the governor’s office:

"Fair winds, following seas, and clear skies," Jack McCain tweets

Jack McCain, Sen. John McCain’s son, praised the late senator as a “giant.”

“It is not the man that was great, but instead it was his desire to serve a cause greater than himself that defined his life,” McCain’s son wrote.

News of McCain's death wasn't limited to the US. Here's how Germans saw it this morning.

It’s not just Americans who are waking up to news of Sen. John McCain’s passing.

News featuring the Arizona Republican’s death was spotted earlier this morning displayed on an informational panel at Munich’s central train station.

The announcement of McCain’s death came at around 2 a.m. in Germany — too late for most print edition newspapers — but clearly the 2008 Republican presidential nominee’s influence and profile reached around the world.

Here's how McCain wants you to remember him

Sen. John McCain told CNN’s Jake Tapper in their last interview how he wanted the American people to remember him after his death.

Tapper asked: “How do you want the American people to remember you?”

McCain responded: “He served his country … I hope, we could add, honorably.”

Watch:

The nation is mourning John McCain. Trump is retweeting himself hitting Jeff Sessions.

As the nation mourns the passing of Sen. John McCain, President Trump started his day on Twitter by retweeting himself.

The President chose two Aug. 24th tweets criticizing Attorney General Jeff Sessions and reshared them to his 54M followers.

The retweets occurred sometime after he tweeted his “deepest sympathies and respect” last night.

See the tweets:

CNN reporter thanks McCain for teaching her this one important lesson about life on the Hill

CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash remembered Sen. John McCain earlier this morning, and thanked him for teaching her an important lesson about life as a reporter on Capitol Hill.

“I want to say thank you, John McCain,” Bash said. “Thank you for teaching reporters like me, who followed you around for a living, how to be serious, without taking ourselves too seriously.”

Watch:

A tearful Jeff Flake says, "It’s tough to imagine a Senate without him"

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, who served alongside Sen. John McCain as the state’s junior senator, teared up while remembering his colleague on CNN this morning.

“Its tough. I’m going to miss him,” Flake said, visibly emotional after host Jake Tapper replayed footage of McCain praising Flake on the Senate floor after the then-junior Arizona senator announced his decision not to run for reelection.?

“I’ve admired him my entire life and its tough to imagine a Senate without him, it’s tough to imagine politics without John McCain, but we need to go on,” Flake said.?

Flake said that he was there with McCain on Friday to say goodbye, and to thank McCain’s family.

Watch:

Americans lay flowers at McCain's crash site in Vietnam

Americans are laying flowers at a monument in Hanoi, Vietnam, marking the 1967 crash site of then-Navy pilot John McCain, who was shot down during the Vietnam War.

McCain to lie in state in US Capitol this week

After McCain leaves Arizona, he will lie in state in the US Capitol this week, confirms a Republican source with knowledge of the plans, who also says a service will be held at the National Cathedral.??

The source says McCain will then have a private service in Annapolis.?

CNN’s Jeff Zeleny reported yesterday that that McCain wanted three locations for services: Arizona, the National Cathedral in Washington, and Annapolis.?

A formal schedule has not been released.

Trump's Instagram post about McCain features a photo of Trump, but no McCain

President Trump’s Instagram account features a photo of the President along with the same words he tweeted last night: “My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!” Critics in the comments and on Twitter point out it features no picture of McCain himself, questioning the President’s motives for omitting the Senator.

Looking back at?John McCain's life and career

Sen. John McCain, a war hero, conservative maverick and two-time presidential candidate, died Saturday at his home in Arizona. He was 81.

We’re wrapping up our live coverage, but if you’re looking for more on McCain’s life and career, you can…

Joe Biden: "The world will miss John McCain"

In this file photo, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) receives the the 2017 Liberty Medal from former Vice President Joe Biden at the National Constitution Center on October 16, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Former Vice President Joe Biden remembered his friend, Sen. John McCain, as having lived a life that showed character, courage, integrity and honor.

Biden has said McCain took care of his son, Beau. Biden’s son was also diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive?brain tumor. He died in 2015.

“America will miss John McCain. The world will miss John McCain. And I will miss him dearly,” Biden said.

Read his full statement:

McCain's ordeal as a POW in the Vietnam War

Sen. John McCain commemorated the 50th anniversary of his Vietnam War capture in October.

He recalled details of his ordeal in a Facebook message and video featuring archival news footage and photos, along with recollections from fellow prisoners of war.

When was he captured? In 1967. He held in the infamous detention facility known as the “Hanoi Hilton” for more than five years, where he was repeatedly tortured. He was released in March 1973.

“Hard to believe 50 years ago today my A-4 Skyhawk was shot down over North Vietnam,” McCain wrote the Facebook post. “The great honor of my life was to serve in the company of heroes in Vietnam, Americans whose comradery, bravery and resilience in the face of tremendous hardship inspired us to resist our captors and find strength and hope even in the darkest of hours.”

John McCain's maverick moment on the Senate floor

Sen. John McCain returned to Washington and delivered a dramatic vote on the GOP’s Obamacare repeal bill, only 11 days after undergoing brain surgery.

His vote came in on the wee hours of July 28. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell needed 50 votes to repeal the bill. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins had already voted against the so-called skinny repeal bill.

All eyes were on McCain, who instructed them to “watch the show.”

What happened next? McCain walked over to the front of the chamber, raised his right arm and held it up in the air until he had the attention of the clerk.

“No,” he said, with a swift thumbs-down.

McCain later said he rejected the bill because he believed the legislative process was flawed.

Watch the moment:

George W. Bush remembers John McCain as a "man of deep conviction"

In this file photo, John McCain gives the thumbs up after speaking to the press with US President George W. Bush (R) in the Rose Garden of the White House on March 5, 2008 in Washington, DC.

Former President George W. Bush described Sen. John McCain as “a man of deep conviction” in a statement tonight.

“He was a public servant in the finest traditions of our country. And to me, he was a friend whom I’ll deeply miss,” he said.

Read his full statement:

Former President George H. W. Bush remembers the "maverick and warrior"

Former President George H. W. Bush released a statement on Sen. John McCain’s death, calling him a “patriot of the highest order, a public servant of rarest courage.”

Read Bush’s full statement below:

World leaders pay tribute to John McCain

World leaders took to Twitter to share their condolences and remember Sen. John McCain’s legacy.

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau said McCain’s sacrifices and public service inspired millions of people.

Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison described McCain as a “man of great courage and conviction.”

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon mourned the loss of an “American hero.”

Gov. John Kasich: I will miss my old friend

Gov. John Kasich called Sen. John McCain “an iconic American hero, patriot and statesman without compare.”

Sharing a photo of himself with McCain alongside a statement in a tweet, Kasich said he will “miss his straight talk and unfailing good humor, his steadfast resolve and absolute devotion to public service.”

Vice President Pence: God bless John McCain

Vice President Mike Pence took to Twitter to send condolences to Sen. John McCain’s family.?

“We honor his lifetime of service to this nation in our military and in public life. His family and friends will be in our prayers,” Pence said.

Read his tweet:

Arizona senate candidate asks for "comfort and peace" for the McCain family

Dr. Kelli Ward, who’s running to fill Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake’s seat, said Sen. John McCain’s “decades of service will not be forgotten by the men and women of Arizona.”

Ward has been critical of McCain as she campaigns for Flake’s seat.

They remember his commitment and "selfless leadership"

Sen. John McCain was a naval bomber pilot, prisoner of war, conservative maverick, giant of the Senate, twice-defeated presidential candidate and an abrasive American hero with a twinkle in his eye.

The following current and former defense officials remembered McCain’s fighting spirit and dedication to public service. Here’s what they said:

Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

?Defense Secretary James Mattis

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates

A look at the life and career of John McCain

Here are several photographs of John McCain throughout his life and career in the Senate.

Sen. John McCain, his son, Jack McCain, and his wife, Cindy McCain, attend a baseball game in Arizona in 2009.

McCain and his daughter, Meghan McCain, at the 100th Annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in 2014.

McCain ran for president with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin against Barack Obama in 2009.

Here’s McCain, chair for the Senate Armed Services Committee, during a Nov. 2 confirmation hearing for the secretary of the US Army.

Democratic and Republican senators remember McCain's legacy

Sen. Elizabeth Warren shared a photo of Sen. John McCain while paying tribute to his “courage and conviction.”

Sen. Orrin Hatch joined the “millions mourning” McCain’s death.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand called it a “privilege to serve beside John in the Senate.”

Sen. Tim Scott hailed McCain as “an American Hero.”

A solemn procession near McCain's home

A procession of SUVs and a black hearse just left the home of Sen. John McCain in Sedona.

McCain died earlier this afternoon at his home. He was surrounded by his wife, Cindy, and his family.

McConnell on McCain: From his cell in Hanoi to the halls of the Senate, he never stopped fighting

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a statement saying “today is a deeply sad day for the Senate and for our nation.” McConnell called McCain a “statesman who put his country first.”

“It’s an understatement to say the Senate will not be the same without our friend John,” McConnell said.

Bill and Hillary Clinton: McCain "lived by his creed every day"

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remembered Sen. John McCain as a skilled politician, who “frequently put partisanship aside to do what he thought was best for the country.”

“He was a skilled, tough politician, as well as a trusted colleague alongside whom Hillary was honored to serve in the Senate,” they said in a statement.

Read their statement:

"John McCain was a man of honor," Jimmy Carter says

Former President Jimmy Carter released a statement extending condolences to Sen. John McCain’s family and the people of Arizona “whom he represented so forthrightly for so many years.”

Read Carter’s full statement here:

Schumer praises McCain's "dedication to his country"

Sen. Chuck Schumer announced he will introduce a resolution to rename the Russell office building after Sen. John McCain.

The Senate minority leader remembered McCain as a great person, saying he was “never afraid to speak truth to power in an era where that has become all too rare.”

The White House flag has been lowered to half-staff

Moments ago, the White House flag was lowered to half-staff in honor of Sen. John McCain, who died this afternoon in Arizona.

First lady Melania Trump also shared her condolences on Twitter:

Paul Ryan releases statement on McCain's death

The Speaker of the House mourned the loss of the “decorated war hero and statesman,” calling McCain “one of the most courageous men of the century.”

Read Ryan’s full statement:

Former President Obama: McCain showed us "to put the greater good above our own"

Former President Barack Obama remembered Sen. John McCain’s dedication to the nation.

“We saw this country as a place where anything is possible – and citizenship as our patriotic obligation to ensure it forever remains that way,” he said in a statement.

Read Obama’s full statement:

Sarah Palin: Today we lost an American original

Sen. John McCain’s former running mate in the 2008 presidential election called him a “maverick and a fighter, never afraid to stand for his beliefs.”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth calls McCain a personal hero

The Democratic senator from Illinois shared her condolences for John McCain on Twitter.

Cindy McCain: "He passed the way he lived — on his own terms"

Cindy McCain took to Twitter to express her sorrow over the death of her husband Sen. John McCain.

“My heart is broken,” she tweeted. “I am so lucky to have lived the adventure of loving this incredible man for 38 years.”

Read her tweet:

Sen. Lindsey Graham mourns the loss of his friend and mentor

GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, a friend and sidekick of Sen. John McCain, said America lost one of “her greatest champions.”

McCain planned his own funeral services

Sen. John McCain had been planning his own funeral services over the last year, often discussing the plans with close friends who visited his Arizona ranch.

Two people close to McCain said he wanted three locations for services: Arizona, National Cathedral in Washington, and Annapolis.

President Trump, as we and others reported earlier this summer, isn’t invited. That was made clear in a message from the family through General Kelly.?

This remains his wish, two family friends said today.

McCain’s decline came fairly suddenly. A close group of friends were planning to be with him next Wednesday on his 82nd birthday, but they were told Wednesday he wouldn’t make it that long.

Trump tweets: "My deepest sympathies and respect go out" to McCain's family

President Trump just tweeted about the death of Sen. John McCain.

Here’s what he said:

Meghan McCain: "He taught me how to live"

Meghan McCain, Sen. John McCain’s daughter, just released a statement about her father’s death.

Read her statement below:

A (brief) timeline of John McCain's service

Before John McCain became a senator, he spent an early part of his life in the Navy.

Here’s a look at some of the major milestones in McCain’s military and political career:

  • John McCain entered the Naval Academy in June 1954 and remained in the Navy until 1981.
  • He was captured during the Vietnam War. Five years later, McCain was released— in March 1973.
  • McCain ran to represent Arizona in the US House of Representatives and won. He was elected in 1982.
  • The Arizona Republican was elected to the US Senate in 1986 to seat left behind by the retirement of Sen. Barry Goldwater.
  • He announced his run for president in 1999, but his candidacy was overshadowed by George W. Bush.
  • McCain ran again and became the GOP presidential nominee in the 2008. He lost to Barack Obama.
  • In 2017, McCain served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

Sen. John McCain dies at 81

John McCain, Arizona senator and former Republican presidential candidate, has died at the age of 81.

“Senator John Sidney McCain III died at 4:28 pm on August 25, 2018. With the Senator when he passed were his wife Cindy and their family,” his office said in a statement. “At his death, he had served the United States of America faithfully for sixty years.”

John McCain 1936 - 2018

John McCain, senator and former presidential candidate, dies at 81
The life and character of John McCain in his own words
McCain’s complex legacy offers GOP soul-searching opportunity
Tearful Sen. Flake: ‘It’s tough to imagine politics without John McCain. But we need to go on’

John McCain 1936 - 2018

John McCain, senator and former presidential candidate, dies at 81
The life and character of John McCain in his own words
McCain’s complex legacy offers GOP soul-searching opportunity
Tearful Sen. Flake: ‘It’s tough to imagine politics without John McCain. But we need to go on’