John McCain, Accepting Award For Public Service, Slams 'Half-Baked' Nationalism
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) passionately defended American idealism and condemned “half-baked, spurious nationalism” that has divided America in a moving acceptance speech Monday evening.
McCain, presented with the prestigious Liberty Medal by the National Constitution Center, spoke about his 60-year career in public service, saying he was “so very grateful” to be “a bit player in the extraordinary story of America.” However, during his address, he attacked the growing divisions within the country, saying that “we have a moral obligation to continue in our just cause.”
“To fear the world we have organized and led for three-quarters of a century, to abandon the ideals we have advanced around the globe, to refuse the obligations of international leadership and our duty to remain ‘the last best hope of earth’ for the sake of some half-baked, spurious nationalism cooked up by people who would rather find scapegoats than solve problems is as unpatriotic as an attachment to any other tired dogma of the past that Americans consigned to the ash heap of history.”
McCain slams 'spurious nationalism' in passionate speech. "We live in a land made of ideals, not blood and soil." https://t.co/jb7ue0916i pic.twitter.com/d0E85jSVIz
— ABC News (@ABC) October 17, 2017
“We live in a land made of ideals, not ‘blood and soil,’” McCain continued, referencing the Nazi slogan chanted at recent right-wing rallies. “We are the custodians of those ideals at home and their champion abroad. We have done great good in the world. ... We will not thrive in a world where our leadership and ideals are absent. We wouldn’t deserve to.”
McCain’s distinguished political career has included two presidential bids, a stint in the House of Representatives and six terms in the Senate, where he has served since 1987. He was in the Navy for more than two decades and was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for 5½ years.
He was diagnosed with brain cancer earlier this year.
The senator was presented with the medal by former Vice President Joe Biden, whom he called his “old, dear friend.”
“We knew each other back when we were young and handsome and smarter than everyone else but were too modest to say so,” McCain said of his colleague.
Former President Barack Obama tweeted his congratulations late Monday, saying he was “grateful” to McCain for his “lifetime of service to our country.”
I'm grateful to @SenJohnMcCain for his lifetime of service to our country. Congratulations, John, on receiving this year's Liberty Medal.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 16, 2017
The Liberty Medal, established in 1988, is awarded annually to those “who have strived to secure the blessings of liberty to people the world over.” Past recipients have included Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, the late South African President Nelson Mandela and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
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Melania and I send our thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain, Cindy, and their entire family. pic.twitter.com/SO4XYgnyug
— President Trump (@POTUS) July 20, 2017
John McCain is an American hero & one of the bravest fighters I've ever known. Cancer doesn't know what it's up against. Give it hell, John.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 20, 2017
John and I have been friends for 40 years. He's gotten through so much difficulty with so much grace. He is strong - and he will beat this.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 20, 2017
John McCain is as tough as they come. Thinking of John, Cindy, their wonderful children, & their whole family tonight.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 20, 2017
.@SenJohnMcCain is a hero to our Conference and a hero to our country. pic.twitter.com/Ld2lQH1mMn
— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) July 20, 2017
.@SenJohnMcCain has always been a warrior. It's who he is. All of us, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans, are behind him. pic.twitter.com/B6iDpPultM
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) July 20, 2017
.@SenJohnMcCain is a hero, a patriot and a fighter. I am privileged to call him a friend. Paul & I pray for his recovery and his family.
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) July 20, 2017
As he’s shown his entire life, don’t bet against John McCain. Best wishes to him for a swift recovery.
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) July 20, 2017
Following is a statement by @GeorgeHWBush on @SenJohnMcCain. pic.twitter.com/x8kIStWz7p
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) July 20, 2017
Hang in there @SenJohnMcCain. You're tough! You can beat this. Fight, fight, fight! I am proud to call you my friend.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) July 20, 2017
To say @SenJohnMcCain is a fighter is an understatement. Time and time again, he has shown all of us how to be courageous under fire.
— Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (@SenatorHeitkamp) July 20, 2017
Counting on the legendary John McCain strength to give cancer its toughest fight ever. Rooting for you, dear friend.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) July 20, 2017
Hey John! We can't wait to welcome you to the club. You got this! ❤️@SenJohnMcCain #cancersurvivors
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) July 20, 2017
I love @SenJohnMcCain. Unbeatable, unbreakable. He's Teddy Roosevelt's "man in the arena" even when we're on opposite sides. God bless. pic.twitter.com/0sBY4QynWp
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) July 20, 2017
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.