I have always had mixed feelings and thoughts about John McCain. Perhaps this reflects that he is a complex man who has lived through complex times. I fully appreciate that multiple courageous Senators in both the Republican and Democratic party, especially Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, made it possible to defeat a Healthcare bill that was cynical in both content and process (and Google Senator Mazie Hirono for a Democratic profile in courage). But I do think McCain deserves to be recognized. From what I understand procedurally, he voted for the bill to come to the floor so that he could shut it down with last night's vote, meaning that the Republicans can not bring forward another healthcare bill for at least the rest of this fiscal year. In practical terms, it might mean that they probably can not bring forward another healthcare bill until at least after the midterm elections. If the bill had not come to the floor, then this madness could have continued.
No doubt he counted on the strength and courage of others but, given his position, he did choose to send a powerful message. I disagree with John McCain on many topics, but I also remember him during the 2008 Presidential election outshouting a woman who was demonizing Barack Obama by saying "No, ma'am, he's a decent Christian man." (The Christian part was because she was claiming Obama is Muslim). McCain is about to undergo chemotherapy so this may be his last act as a Senator. Combined with his impassioned plea to restore bipartisanship and civility to The House, I think this is a finest -- and perhaps final -- hour moment. In our current political climate, I'll applaud any act of courage and integrity.
