Back in the day I hosted a fundraiser for Senator John McCain when he was truly a maverick, a Republican who had an independent streak on issues like immigration reform and gays in the military where he supported lifting 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'
On both issues he displayed a refreshing ability to get beyond the catch cries and actually study the issue deeply.
He reminded me somewhat of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who, while they were associated with one party, still managed to win friends across the aisle because they were such original thinkers.
America has far too little of that.
When I interviewed McCain for my magazine, Irish America, I found him a very refreshing change from the politics as usual, from whatever party.
He had retained a very human core, and was able to empathize with those in America who did not have people speaking up for them in powerful places I think in part because of his searing wartime experiences .
He was, in short, a remarkable man, true to his own vision of where true north was on his compass.
He could bring an audience close to tears talking about what he saw in the Arizona deserts where abandoned children were left to die by heartless smugglers and other such travesties.
This was a human being first, a politician second I always thought.
Then something happened.
The John McCain I saw yesterday voting against DADT and the DREAM act to help young kids who were brought here illegally to this country through no fault of their own, was not the John McCain I had known and respected. The humanity is gone.
In his place is this crotchety naysayer who has lost all track of his better self and his better angels.
Dan Milbank in the Washington post has a revealing article about McCain's antics on the floor as DADT passed.
Its at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/18/AR2010121802738.html?hpid=topnews
Milbank surmises and I agree that It must have been the defeat by Barack Obama that has set him off and it must really have devastated him.
Since then he has lurched to the far-right and is completely unrecognizable from the Barry Goldwater-type independent Republican he once was that we all admired.
Somewhere on the campaign trail John McCain lost his mojo and his soul and it doesn't look like it is coming back.
It is sad to see because for America's sake we need that independent voice.
Let's hope it is not too late for him to find it.
44 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.hancock | Dec 23, 2010, 12:17 AM EST
I'm happy as can be, but Obama still sucks, even if he's black.
SCVMal | Dec 22, 2010, 05:15 PM EST
Hey Hancock, You seem to be as despondent as mcCain who has repeatedly lost since 11/08 to a President who happens to be black!
SCVMal | Dec 22, 2010, 05:12 PM EST
And ditto to Trish Tierney... T.S.
SCVMal | Dec 22, 2010, 05:11 PM EST
OMIGOD, Hancock. You sound JUST like McCain who is repeatedly being defeated by a black man! T.S.!!!
hancock | Dec 21, 2010, 10:08 PM EST
Yeah, but Obama sucks.
GuinnessGrrl | Dec 21, 2010, 07:08 PM EST
True, he's turned his back on everything he used to support, even bills with his name in the title. He's even gone so far as to say he's never called himself a maverick! He's turned into the cranky old man who stands in his doorway & yells "You kids get off my lawn!" Oh, and those of you who have posted complaints about the Dream Act, pehaps we should just give blanket amnesty, like RONALD REAGAN did!!
Ray1Gordon | Dec 21, 2010, 09:23 AM EST
Reply to IrishTierney, Care to expand your reply to me or is that the extent of your knowledge on the subject? Your ability to debate the issues is sorely lacking.
DennisQ | Dec 21, 2010, 05:20 AM EST
McCain is coming to the awareness late in life that there's nothing special about him. It's too bad that he's taking it so hard - most of the rest of us knew he was as ordinary as anyone else.
McCain voted against Sonia Sotomayor because, he said, she is a "judicial activist." And he voted for Samuel Alito and John Roberts, two justices who abandoned any pretense of judicial modesty as soon as they were confirmed. Their vote in Citizens United extends the fiction that corporations are persons to the outlandish conclusion that corporations have freedom of speech as well. This unfortunate decision turns the Constitution on its head and will have lasting negative effects on American democracy.
Much as I'd like think McCain is losing his effectiveness as well as his marbles, he has lots of handlers to tell him how to vote. He'll be at it till his 90's if he lives that long.
Gaelicpiper | Dec 20, 2010, 07:26 PM EST
McCain was a sad figure when you supported him--O'Dowd. He was the throw a-way presidential candidate- he undermined his own campaign. I am beginning to believe he intentionally threw the election. That is why we have now have O'bumma.
Scrivner | Dec 20, 2010, 05:55 PM EST
Perhaps McCain realized what a bunch of disloyal, backstabbing lynch mob his "friends across the aisle" were? You lionized him when it suited your purposes, but when a new toy came along, you dumped him in the dust bin. Shame on you and your ilk!
irishfez | Dec 20, 2010, 04:03 PM EST
This is true. As a Republican who is socially liberal, I am sadly truly disappointed in John McCain, who has turned out to be a total liar and cheat. Glad I voted Democrat, despite the pressure!
IrishTierney | Dec 20, 2010, 02:40 PM EST
Ray1Gordon, outside of being a donkey, your a danger to America, and to world peace.
Ray1Gordon | Dec 20, 2010, 12:25 PM EST
McCain is an unstable, warmongering Zionist neoconservative. He represents everything that is wrong with the Republican Party. He said that he would go to war for Israel, even if it wasn't in America's interest. He was led around during the campaign by the despicable senator from Tel Aviv, Joseph Lieberman, who never met an enemy of Israel's that he didn't want the U.S. to attack. McCain and the rest of the neocons are a danger to America and to world peace.
BigGuns | Dec 20, 2010, 10:11 AM EST
His mother was a misguided liberal.
John G. Hogan | Dec 20, 2010, 09:24 AM EST
The Kenyan is only half black..........why do you diss his white mother
John G. Hogan | Dec 20, 2010, 09:16 AM EST
Did you host a fundraiser for John McCain because you liked him, or because you were hoping to switch him to a demonrat???
casualMBA | Dec 20, 2010, 03:42 AM EST
Will I be reminded of this article, Niall, vis a vis Enda Kenny 36 months from now ?
mindwalker | Dec 19, 2010, 08:35 PM EST
I think John McCain has gone from respected exPOW to prisoner of Sarah Palin and her presidential bid. Now that's about as low as any hero can go. Give it up John, your done!
knockatee | Dec 19, 2010, 07:37 PM EST
I thought the old McCain would return as soon as he was re-elected but obviously that didn't happen. Too bad as he was an independent but has lost any semblance of that.
SCVMal | Dec 19, 2010, 07:34 PM EST
McCain is just pissed off because with the defeat of Don't Ask, Don't tell, it's the second time in two years that he was defeated by a man who happens to be black. Good riddance McCain. Now go decide on your true colors, and stop being such a damned hypocrite!
kaydog1 | Dec 19, 2010, 07:10 PM EST
So you're disappointed in McCain since he voted against the Dream Act, are you Niall? Well, don't worry, I'm sure that deep in his heart he's still the same pro-amnesty RINO rat that you've always loved - THAT'S why we didn't vote for him for President. That, and the fact that Bush spent like a drunken Democrat, sending money to all his pals on Wall Street, so we knew just exactly what McCain would do. (Of course, Obama's DEMS never met a spending bill they didn't like, so they're being 'deported' out of Washington.) Americans lean Conservative, and you'll notice we're trying to kick out the Libs, be they DEMS, RINOS, or just plain free-spending corporate sell-outs. Send us a McCain or a Romney, and we look elsewhere. I'd rather have a genuine Socialist like Obama in office than a pretend Conservative like McCain or Romney. We'll replace the three Repub RINOS who voted for the Dream Act, too, just watch. As to YOUR opinion Niall, it's largely irrelevant. Your only avenue of influence in America as an Irish Bolshevik is with whatever DEMS you can still find in Washington, but as you are no doubt aware, many of those are 'hoppin' a freight' out of town. Maybe they could cash in on their 'connections' and get re-employed by "joining the fight against Manmade Climate Change"...no, wait, that won't work either...another dying Progressive boondoggle. Tell you what, though, Niall, as to the Dream Act, Ireland is welcome to whichever Illegal Aliens we can catch and deport, be they Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, or Irish. We're perfectly willing to share. Just send a bus...
joeboy1 | Dec 19, 2010, 05:30 PM EST
if their parent,s had become citizens legally we would,nt be haveing this this so called Dream Act Vote
Laura Wilson | Dec 19, 2010, 04:49 PM EST
IT'S No ones business who our soldiers have sex with male/female ONLY God will have the final judgment. I would rather have Gay friends then (child mollester friends) get a life people.
Ajreaper | Dec 19, 2010, 04:10 PM EST
My guess is McCains read far more of this bill then you have Niall, perhaps he voted against it for good reason? That's a possibility given I am sure you have not read the entire bill. McCain has given far more to this country then most can even imagine and while you may not like his politics of late that does not mean there's anything wrong with the man himself.
feeneycj | Dec 19, 2010, 03:52 PM EST
Niall, your article is sadly about your ideas, not others. McCain has served this country more than you. Thank you McCain for all you do.
patrickesq | Dec 19, 2010, 02:19 PM EST
There seems to be a lot of truth to what you observe. It appears the Senator did not want to offend his base and was pushed more to the right when his most recent office challenger was of the tea party variety. Too many politicians are more interested in being reelected rather than standing up for what is right.
PhlutiePhan | Dec 19, 2010, 01:44 PM EST
You look at the glass as "half empty". I see it as half full. Just where would you have put the gays in the "Hanoi Hilton"? We are a nation which is losing its soul. The "Dream Act" is a political "now you see it, now you don't". The Democrats do not care a "rat's behind" for the immigrant. It is a matter of consolidating votes for a "liberal America" based on gays and abortion. So, maybe J-Mac was liberal in the beginning of the movement. Maybe, the movement "swung left" on the road to radical socialism. Maybe, you have a liberal agenda which includes destroying any "fellow traveller" who sees the "road less travelled" as an opportunity to widen the road to a global radical left wing agenda. It would appear that you have dumped the father just as Meghan did. Obviously, she is not a biological entity with J-Mac's DNA.
Josephboland | Dec 19, 2010, 01:36 PM EST
Balogna.
MAYOLAD | Dec 19, 2010, 01:33 PM EST
A good man, he suffered a lot in the Hanoi Hilton. He will come back storng, you can't keep him down..
Hannrick | Dec 19, 2010, 01:20 PM EST
Very well said Mr. Ocasey
Nicomax | Dec 19, 2010, 12:25 PM EST
We give amnesty to tax dodgers every now and then, and I'm not sure what good they were doing for the country by parking their coins in Swiss banks, etc. Now these young people brought here as illegals by their parents, but then go onto college, military service, etc. are doing us some good.
1dodgerb | Dec 19, 2010, 12:09 PM EST
Please, don't willingly accept the lies about the Dream Act, but read it. It is an amnesty program. An illegal alien can be up to 35 years old and claim they're going to college, have 10 years to complete their college education (all the time claiming all the social services available), and then there is no teeth in it to boot the person & their family out of the country if they haven't received a degree. It is a drain on the legal immigrants/ citizens - the taxpayers, when we're struggling just to keep our jobs and the government keeps asking for more. Senator McCain is doing what's best for America, when he rejects this. This was just a way for the embattled Senator Harry Reid to get re-elected.
Monsoonman | Dec 19, 2010, 12:08 PM EST
"Maverick" McCain got religion this last election cycle when the residents of his state revolted against the federal govt. He can't ignore the illegal problem in his state anymore.
slainte9 | Dec 19, 2010, 11:45 AM EST
Fascinating, but why is McCain the focus of Irish America. He's of Scots ancestry who goes to North Phoenix Baptist Church and won't go near the annual Phoenix St. Patrick's Day parade.
jamthecat | Dec 19, 2010, 11:16 AM EST
McCain's always been a nasty piece of work. Selfish, immature, cruel and now slipping into senility, his destructive actions in the Navy (it's thought by many he was responsible for a horrific accident aboard an aircraft carrier that cost the lives of over a hundred seamen), his treatment of both his wives, his involvement in a massive S&L scandal back in the 80's and his consistent hypocrisy will consign him to the rubbish heap of history...and it cannot be too soon, so far as I'm concerned.
bfaulkner | Dec 19, 2010, 11:14 AM EST
Niall, Obviously you have fallen victim to the "lamestream media"....too far left to be truly American!
BigGuns | Dec 19, 2010, 10:27 AM EST
You are the sad figure for your continued criticism of anything or anybody that makes sense. I am a veteran of the US Army and the father of a gay child. I know my kid could not function well in battlefield conditions and I don't know what your gender prederence is, but I do know that I would not want to share a foxhole with you. Thank God for the right who act on common sense rather than emotion.
seamusmoore | Dec 19, 2010, 10:23 AM EST
Niall, John McCain lost me when he brought your Westport, "nancyboy" brother-in-law to stump for him in Scranton, PA. Clearly, at that point, McCain had lost the plot.
John G. Hogan | Dec 19, 2010, 10:16 AM EST
Please name the person that McCain should have chosen to keep the Kenyan out of 1600.
cpcpcp1 | Dec 19, 2010, 10:01 AM EST
What most people don't realize is that the young kids the Dream Act is supposed to help go up to age 35. They also can bring their families over. They get more money for college here than American Citizens. How would the Irish like a bunch of French, Spanish or other nationalities coming into Ireland and using all their kids resources That would be a different story.
JosephOCasey | Dec 19, 2010, 09:56 AM EST
I don't care much about "Don't ask, Don't tell" I am for supporting whatever the troops decide on the issue. It seems that they are ok with serving with openly gay men, so I support that. The dream act is quite another thing. Niall, your position is obviously colored by your desire for the thousands of Irish who are in the USA illegally, to be given amnesty. I strongly disagree with that position. As a lifelong citizen of the USA, I believe that the immigration laws should be followed, regardless of where the immigrant comes from. This is one of the few things that John McCain has gotten right in the past several years. He is hardly a far right conservative. In this case, he merely exhibited common sense. You abandon him like yesterday's trash because he dare to disagree with you. Looks like you were attempting to buy influence when you hosted a fundraiser for him.
eileenkny | Dec 19, 2010, 09:55 AM EST
Unfortunately, Senator McCain has lost the backbone that kept him alive in VietNam. He panders to the extreme right, forgetting what's he's said in the past.
KateyMc | Dec 19, 2010, 09:36 AM EST
The man is senile now...has no idea what he's saying or doing. It's time he retired, as he's just an empty shell of the man he once was.
quiltygirl | Dec 19, 2010, 09:33 AM EST
History will show that the worst thing McCain has ever done was to bring Sarah Palin into the political limelight. If she is ever elected president the Republican Dystopia will herald the end of the world. My only comfort, when the Republicans succeed in destroying the world..they'll be as dead as the rest of us.