Wave of support for McCain in battle with brain tumour
SENATOR John McCain has been diagnosed with a brain tumour after doctors removed a blood clot above his left eye last week, his office has announced.
The news was met with shock in Washington and triggered an outpouring of support for the muchrespected Republican, whom Barack Obama defeated for the presidency in 2008.
“Senator John McCain has always been a fighter,” President Donald Trump said. “Melania and I send our thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain, Cindy and their entire family. Get well soon.”
McCain (80) has glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. The senator and his family are reviewing further treatment, including a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.
His daughter, Meghan McCain, said the family were in “shock” at the news as she released a touching tribute to her father.
“It won’t surprise you to learn that in all this, the one who is most confident and calm is my father,” she said.
“He is the toughest person I know. The cruellest enemy could not break him. The aggressions of political life could not bend him.
“He is meeting this challenge as he has every other.
“He is a warrior at dusk, one of the greatest Americans of our age. But to me, he is something more. He is my strength, my example, my refuge, my confidante, my teacher, my rock, my hero – my Dad.”
Respected
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said: “John McCain is a hero to our country. He has never shied from a fight and I know that he will face this challenge with the same extraordinary courage that has characterised his life.”
Mr Obama hailed Mr McCain as an “American hero and one of the bravest fighters I’ve ever known. Cancer doesn’t know what it’s up against. Give it hell, John,” he tweeted.
Sarah Palin, his running mate in the 2008 election, described Mr McCain as “one tough fighter”.
Doctors say Mr McCain is recovering from his surgery amazingly well and that his underlying health is excellent, according to the statement from his office.
With his irascible grin and fighter-pilot character, Mr McCain was elected to the Senate from Arizona six times, but was twice thwarted in seeking the presidency, having been beaten to the Republican nomination in 2000 by George W Bush.