You can feel bad about John McCains cancer and still hate his legacy

[SecularMotion]

The news on Wednesday evening that Sen. John McCain has glioblastoma brain cancer is already providing Washington an opportunity to rewrite the Arizona Republican's legacy. A diagnosis of cancer is never cause for celebration, no matter who receives it. But McCain, whose decades-long career in the Senate is seen by his peers as cause for praise, has a record that should not be glossed over.

It's a natural reaction to refer to someone with such a diagnosis in the most positive light. Yet for politicians, whose careers can span decades in the public eye and whose work affects the lives of millions at home and abroad, a measure of national introspection is needed. McCain's legacy is being painted as one of a hero, fighter, and an independent American institution — the subject of a discussion in the media that ignores the historical reality of his time in Washington. When personality rather than policy is brought to the fore, you can end up with a dangerous sort of revisionism that skips over legislative record.

As to be expected, politicians from both sides of the aisle showed their support for the Senator on social media almost immediately after the announcement was made. McCain is “as tough as they come,” tweeted Hillary Clinton and a “tough fighter” according to Sarah Palin. He was described as “Sharp as hell and tougher than a $2 steak” by former Rep. John Dingell, a Democrat from Michigan. Former President Barack Obama, and McCain's onetime presidential opponent, tweeted his support too.

https://theoutline.com/post/1952/you-can-feel-bad-about-john-mccain-s-cancer-and-still-hate-his-legacy

[SMS Cohen]

1. Of course! The personal is not political.

Of course you can feel sad for John McCaine but still hate his legacy (politics). You can look at a someone's personal life to try to understand why a person holds certain political beliefs. Although it's harder to see how their political beliefs affect their personal life.

In fact it is very easy for anyone to separate the personal from the political.

Consider the incredibly close friendship between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Anton Scalia. The were very good friends with a shared interest in opera. Yet their political (constitutional) ideas were 180 degrees apart.

Ginsburg was sad that her friend died. But that would not change her disagreement with his views.

[clinton_2020]

2. yep

It is true that Mccain is one of the more bearable Republicans.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. There is no bearable republican.

[Hortensis]

4. McCain and a few others are reminding Republicans that

moderate conservatism isn't dead, and their belated, limited stands against the corrupt extremism that has taken over that party are nevertheless a light of hope.

I'm far from a great admirer, but right now we need all the newly rediscovered moderation among conservatives that these people can inspire.

That in addition to the harsh reality that McCain's absence is apparently a problem for advancing the agenda of McConnell and the would-be kleptocracy.

[Skittles]

5. you cannot if you are REALLY STUPID