Cindy McCain endorses Biden for president
PHOENIX >> Democrat Cindy McCain endorsed Democrat Joe Biden for president Tuesday in a rebuke of President Donald Trump by the widow of the GOP’s 2008 nominee.
Trump has had a fraught relationship with members of John McCain’s family since he disparaged the Arizona senator during his 2016 campaign. But the McCains have until now stopped short of endorsing Trump’s rivals.
Cindy McCain cited the decadeslong friendship between her family and Biden’s and their bond as the parents of children serving in the military.
“He supports the troops and knows what it means for someone who has served,” McCain said in a phone interview. “Not only to love someone who has served, but understands what it means to send a child into combat. We’ve been great friends for many years, but we have a common thread in that we are Blue Star families.”
McCain’s backing could help Biden appeal to Republicans disaffected with the GOP president and give the former vice president a boost in Arizona, a crucial swing state that McCain represented in Congress for 35 years. He’s remained
a revered figure since his 2018 death from complications of a brain tumor, particularly with the independent voters whom Biden is courting.
“I decided to take a stand, and hopefully other people will see the same thing.
Other women particularly,” McCain said. “You may have to step out of your comfort zone a little bit, but Biden is by far the best candidate in the race.”
McCain said she hasn’t voted for a Democrat since she was 18 and followed the lead of her parents. She remains a registered Republican and has no plans to change, she said.
Biden told donors on Tuesday evening that McCain’s endorsement was coming “because of what (Trump) talks about how my son and John and others who are heroes, who served their country. You know, he said they’re ‘losers, suckers.’ ”