Aug. 29, 1936: John Sidney McCain III is born in the Panama Canal Zone and into a family whose military lineage includes an ancestor who served as an aide to Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War. wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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In 1954, following his father’s and grandfather’s path and often-stated expectations, McCain enrolls at the U.S. Naval Academy, which he later recalled as “a place I belonged at but dreaded.” wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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At Annapolis, McCain rebels against the regulations and racks up so many demerits that he is at risk of expulsion. As he boasted later in life, he graduated fifth from the bottom of his 899-member class. wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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Oct. 26, 1967: On a mission to attack the enemy capital, Hanoi, McCain's A-4 is shot down. He ejects and lands in a lake, where he is captured by the Vietnamese.
For more than five years, McCain is tortured in a POW prison dubbed the "Hanoi Hilton." wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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March 1973: Nearly two months after the Paris peace accords, McCain is released. He is 36 years old and emaciated. wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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In 1982, McCain is elected to the U.S. House, representing Arizona. He serves two terms and then replaces Barry Goldwater in the Senate, where he serves for five full terms. wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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In 1999, McCain first runs for president, against the GOP establishment, which rallies behind then-Texas governor George W. Bush. He loses in the primary after a rout in South Carolina. wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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April 25, 2007: McCain announces that he will run again for president. He wins the Republican nomination and picks Sarah Palin as his running mate.
In the general election, McCain campaigns against a charismatic Illinois Democrat, then-Sen. Barack Obama. wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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In 2008, Obama wins the nomination and McCain returns to the Senate, where he becomes a frequent critic of the Obama White House on national security and foreign relations. wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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By the end of Obama’s presidency, McCain becomes the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
He runs his Senate reelection campaign as a more conventional Republican, eroding his reputation as a maverick. wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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July 18, 2015: Then-candidate Donald Trump — who had avoided the Vietnam draft with five deferments — speaks scornfully of McCain’s military bona fides: “He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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July 19, 2017: McCain’s office announces that he has a brain tumor. In a tweet, McCain promises to return to Capitol Hill, writing, “Unfortunately for my sparring partners in Congress, I’ll be back soon, so stand-by!” wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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Nine days later: McCain returns to the Senate chamber, an incision from surgery still fresh above his left eye, and gives a thumbs down to indicate his vote against a GOP plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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In his final book, reflecting on his life, he wrote: “It’s been quite a ride. I’ve known great passions, seen amazing wonders, fought in a war, and helped make a peace. I made a small place for myself in the story of America and the history of my times.” wapo.st/2P5wfM2
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What a scummy thing for to bring up the day the hero passed. Honesty. Disgusting fight for ratings. I hope you win. 👎🏽
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A draft dodger he has no respect for anything. He couldn’t walk in John McCain’s shoes. Not even the old ones he didn’t want.
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The type of Class n $tatesmanship #JohnMcCain
That a 5-time Draft Dodger will NEVER EVER possess both in real life and politics.
You don't have to be a #Republican to appreciate this. #Obama twitter.com/AzfarRizvi/sta
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at this moment, I find the re-posting of this comment almost as distasteful as the original comment.
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Let’s not focus on Trump, a man without compassion, morals, ethics, fairness and dignity but rather have tunnel vision on the man, John McCain. John was a man who put country before party. We differed politically but not in our passion for this country. RIP Condolences to family
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