Longtime Senator and decorated military
veteran John McCain died on Saturday at the age of 81 after a year long battle
with brain cancer. Following the news of his passing, every living president
has paid tribute to the lifelong public servant.
Read their comments below:
President Donald Trump:
"My deepest sympathies and respect
go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with
you!"
My deepest sympathies and respect go out
to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2018
President Barack Obama:
"John McCain and I were members of
different generations, came from completely different backgrounds, and competed
at the highest level of politics. But we shared, for all our differences, a
fidelity to something higher-the ideals for which generations of Americans and
immigrants alike have fought, marched, and sacrificed. We saw our political
battles, even, as a privilege, something noble, an opportunity to serve as
stewards of those high ideals at home, and to advance them around the world. We
saw this country as a place where anything is possible - and citizenship as our
patriotic obligation to ensure it forever remains that way.
"Few of us have been tested the way
John once was, or required to show the kind of courage that he did. But all of
us can aspire to the courage to put the greater good above our own. At John's
best, he showed us what that means. And for that, we are all in his debt.
Michelle and I send our heartfelt condolences to Cindy and their family."
Our statement on the passing of Senator
John McCain:
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 26, 2018
President George W. Bush:
"Some lives are so vivid, it is
difficult to imagine them ended. Some voices are so vibrant, it is hard to
think of them stilled. John McCain was a man of deep conviction and a patriot
of the highest order. He was a public servant in the finest traditions of our
country. And to me, he was a friend whom I'll deeply miss. Laura and I send our
heartfelt sympathies to Cindy and the entire McCain family, and our thanks to
God for the life of John McCain."
A post shared by George W. Bush
(@georgewbush) on Aug 25, 2018 at 6:08pm PDT
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President Bill Clinton:
"Senator John McCain believed that
every citizen has a responsibility to make something of the freedoms given by
our Constitution, and from his heroic service in the Navy to his 35 years in
Congress, he lived by his creed every day. He was a skilled, tough politician,
as well as a trusted colleague alongside whom Hillary was honored to serve in
the Senate. He frequently put partisanship aside to do what he thought was best
for the country, and was never afraid to break the mold if it was the right
thing to do. I will always be especially grateful for his leadership in our successful
efforts to normalize relations with Vietnam. Our thoughts and prayers are with
his wife, Cindy, his mother, Roberta, his children, and his entire
family."
President George H.W. Bush:
"John McCain was a patriot of the
highest order, a public servant of rarest courage. Few sacrificed more for, or
contributed more to, the welfare of his fellow citizens — and indeed
freedom-loving peoples around the world. Another American maverick and warrior,
General George Patton once observed: We should thank God that men such as these
have lived." To that I can only add my gratitude to John's wife Cindy, his
wonderful family, and the people of Arizona who permitted this great and good
man to serve with such distinction in the world's greatest deliberative body."
Statement by former President @GeorgeHWBush on the passing of U.S. Senator John
McCain of Arizona. pic.twitter.com/joT1reIihM
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) August 26, 2018
President Jimmy Carter:
"John McCain was a man of honor, a
true patriot in the best sense of the word. Americans will be forever grateful
for his heroic military service and for his steadfast integrity as a member of
the United States Senate. Rosalynn and I extend our sincere condolences to
Senator McCain's family and to the people of Arizona whom he represented so
forthrightly for so many years."
Jimmy Carter on John McCain. pic.twitter.com/2T71P3dza9
— Alan Blinder (@alanblinder) August 26, 2018
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
