McCain’s legacy: Personal beats politics
October 6. Second of two televised presidential debates. A seemingly minor statement quickly became so profound that it effectively ended the election. “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe…I don’t believe the Poles think they are dominated by the Soviets…that country is independent and autonomous.”
And with those words, President Gerry Ford imploded, lost to Jimmy Carter, and the rest is history — the key word being “history.”
The lesson: Sometimes that which seems irrelevant can return with a vengeance and alter the course of history.
And that brings us to John McCain, who ran for president twice, served in Congress for 36 years, and, most notably, chose ing to remain with his countrymen in a North Vietnamese prison for almost six years.
Despite the media’s penchant for fawning over Sen. McCain, the truth is that McCain’s political career was relatively undistinguished. Ditto for his lackluster bids for the White House. That said, what looms as potentially his most impactful legacy may have little to do with the “political,” and everything to do with the “personal.”
Rewind to the 2016 campaign when Donald Trump was tearing up the Republican field. Truly the Teflon Don, it seemed that the crazier and ruder his statements were — comments that would have sunk any other candidate — his popularity grew.
But one insult stood out from the rest.
In referencing John McCain, Trump stated: “He’s not a war hero … he’s a war ‘hero’ (only) because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
While that indignity didn’t stop Trump from winning the nomination and presidency, it was nonetheless extremely repugnant.
First, because McCain’s father was a high-ranking Admiral, the North Vietnamese gave the young captain the rare chance to go home early. McCain outright refused, knowing that his captors would use his release for propaganda. Given the hellhole conditions at the infamous Hanoi Hilton — where McCain was beaten regularly while receiving minimal food and health care — few would have questioned his decision if he used his “get out of jail free” card. Instead, he spurned his North Vietnamese captors, time and again.
Second, the fact that anyone would criticize a military officer for being captured is beyond the pale. McCain was shot down on his 23rd bombing run, and broke both arms and a leg during ejection. After pulling McCain from the lake where he landed (and almost drowned), the locals went to work on him, fracturing his shoulder with a rifle butt, and stabbing him with a bayonette. And that was the best part of his captivity. For the next five and a half years, he was severely tortured, and almost died on several occasions. For the rest of his life, John McCain was unable to lift his arms over his head due to his injuries. Not exactly a picnic, Mr. Trump.
Third, if anyone is going to slam a POW for being captured, it sure as hell can’t be from a guy who received five — yes, five — military deferments, as Donald Trump did (four for college, and one for bone spurs in his feet, despite him playing basketball, football, golf, tennis and squash). Trump looked like a spoiled armchair warrior who let others do the fighting, yet had the gall (and cowardice) to then criticize them — from the safety of his penthouse.
But what goes around, comes around. Call it karma. Label it fate. Or describe it as flat-out revenge.
Fact is, John McCain had the last laugh by being the deciding vote against repealing Obamacare — which happened to be President Trump’s signature issue.
McCain had too much class to say this, but in all likelihood, it was to teach Donald Trump a lesson in humility. In short, it was personal.
Had Trump not chastised McCain and POWs, the senator may well have voted differently. And had the president and GOP replaced Obamacare with health care reform that drastically lowered premiums, granted more personal choice and offered better access to doctors, the Republicans’ chances at retaining the House would have skyrocketed.
Time will tell whether Donald Trump’s POW comments will ultimately prove to be a black swan event — and if John McCain indeed captures the last laugh.
Until then, senator, thank you for your service, and rest in peace.