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There’s no denying the above-the-fold headline in Thursday’s Arizona Republic was astonishing. Treating John McCain as omnipotent, the headline, “McCain aims to reassure the world,” creates a deity of the man many Arizonans have come to abhor. He’s been censured by elected Republican officials at state and Maricopa County intra-party statutory meetings.
Does that make Republican party activists heretics instead of political adversaries?
The report’s theme? McCain is attempting to ease the angst of world leaders who have a problem with President Donald Trump‘s “America First” policy, reassuring them we “still have their back.” The coverage is unique in that it was not written by McCain’s assigned sycophantic reporter Dan Nowicki, who has devotedly covered McCain’s every move and utterance. Instead it was filed by Eliza S. Collins of the “Republic Washington Bureau.” Whether the Republic actually has a Washington Bureau is up for debate. She appears to work for USA Today, the Gannett parent company of the Republic.
To get a flavor of her puerile vantage point, consider these words, but precede them with visions of jubilant trumpets blasting and golden edged clouds parting as McCain glides in on a ray of heavenly light:
Enter Sen. John McCain. The Arizona Republican has used his perch as head of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee to shape national security and influence foreign policy. But he’s also acted like a diplomat of sorts, making calls and taking trips to reassure foreign leaders concerned about where they stand with the White House.
McCain’s post as head of the Senate Armed Services Committee requires him to travel extensively and schmooze world leaders. He also is known for speaking his mind — particularly on foreign policy and national security — even if it means breaking with his party.
“Even if it means breaking with his party“?
McCain has carefully cultivated his “Maverick” image to cover these career-long departures. When he first ran for the U. S. House in 1982, recruited as a compelling returning POW, to succeed retiring House Minority Leader and conservative icon John J. Rhodes, McCain had to be dissuaded from running as a Democrat by the powerful Phoenix 40. He and his new wife Cindy Lou Hensley briefly moved to the East Valley to connect with the First Congressional District voters.
The report quotes Wes Gullett, a former McCain operative who, like his onetime boss, prefers Democrats and their policies to Republicans. Gullet was among a host of McCain aides known for signing onto the infamous Republicans for Janet — supporters of liberal Democrat Janet Napolitano — when she ran for governor of Arizona in 2006 and reporter Collins was still in high school.
Still unable to come to terms with the fact he lost the 2008 presidential race, McCain has adorned himself with the mantle of global statesman, calling world leaders and speechifying at a 2017 security conference in Munich, Germany where he blasted President Trump.
Also quoted in the Republic‘s article, Rhode Island Democrat Sen. Jack Reed, who called McCain’s Munich comments, “critical,” saying “I thought it was a very thoughtful speech…” and Joseph Nye a Defense undersecretary from Bill Clinton’s administration, present for McCain’s speech. His response? “Thank God for John McCain.”
Nye obviously didn’t get the McMemo that McCain is God.
The conferences are nothing new to McCain, allowing him to cavort with his America-hating, anti-capitalist longtime benefactor, George Soros, who disdains national borders. This post provides more background on the unsavory relationship. Reporter Eliza S. Collins might learn a few things she wasn’t taught in J school.