A former war hero, a congressman, a senator and a presidential candidate, McCain’s tenure in Washington spanned more than three decades. Over that time, he earned a reputation as a conservative lion who would put his principles over party, even if it would cost him the more ephemeral victory, as it did in the 2000 Republican primary.
It’s easy to cast McCain, especially posthumously, as a larger-than-life figure. But doing so would betray just how present the man was. Even as he struggled with the illness that would eventually take his life, he would walk the halls of the Capitol — his workplace since he was first elected to serve Arizona in the House of Representatives in 1982 — with an affable ease, never too busy or proud to stop and chat with the reporters who lingered in the corridors, hanging onto his every word.
The photos below paint a portrait of McCain’s political career — one simply too vast for any simple abbreviation.
John McCain, (front, right) with his squadron in 1965.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain prepares to speak at a rally held at the Indianapolis International Airport in Indianapolis, on Nov. 3, 2008.
Sen. John Kerry chats with Sen. John McCain in Washington in 1997.
Sen. John McCain talks on the phone before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Then Navy Lieutenant Commander John McCain lying on a bed in a hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam in 1967.
At a pre-dinner reception, US President Richard Nixon (1913 - 1994) shakes hands greets former North Vietnamese prisoner of war Lieutenant Commander John McCain, in Washington DC, on May 24, 1973.
Sen. John McCain campaigns in Charleston, S.C. on April 26, 2007.
John McCain holds a town hall meeting at a National Guard armory in East Greenwhich, Rhode Island, on Jan. 18, 2000.
President-elect Barack Obama addresses the Bipartisan Dinner honoring Sen. John McCain in Washington on Jan. 19, 2009.
Presidential candidate John McCain with his family and members of his campaign team watching the progress of the state primary in N.H. on Feb. 1, 2000.
Sen. John McCain and wife Cindy greet supporters at a campaign rally at the Fairmont Dallas hotel on March 4, 2008.
Vice President George H.W. Bush re-enacting Senate Swear-In with Sen. John S. McCain and his family.
Sen. John McCain on board his private plane during presidential campaign stops in S.C. on April 26, 2007.
Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley and Sen. John McCain at Fort Myer where McCain was honored with the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal for over 63 years of dedicated service to the nation and the U.S. Navy on Nov. 14, 2017.
Correction Sept. 4
The original version of this story incorrectly referred to Sen. John McCain’s military rank in two photo captions. He was a Lieutenant Commander, not a Major or Captain, at the time both photos were taken.
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