The LuLac Edition #3862, August 26th, 2018

SENATOR JOHN McCAIN DIES

(Photo: Newsweek)

The end came more quickly for John McCain than most could have imagined. His family announced Friday that he was not going to take any more medical measures in his battle against brain cancer. Yesterday, about 26 hours later he was dead.
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Val DiGiorgio, made the following statement on the passing of Sen. John McCain:
“Senator John McCain was the epitome of a self-sacrificing public servant and an American hero. He was a family man of great integrity and his voice will be missed in America and in the Republican Party. We share in the grief of his family and our country.”
McCain faced his final days with courage, contribution to the political and governmental discourse as well as commitment to his office. McCain was known as “The Last Lion” of the Senate.
There are no lions anymore. When I was growing up, you could name those lions on both sides of the aisle. The Senate was a place for debate of philosophies and issues. There were disagreements but compromises. There was congeniality. Things actually got done.
But today the Senate is filled with political toadies on both sides, for many, whose only concern is winning the next election. As an example, In 1993 and 1994, McCain voted to confirm President Clinton's nominees Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg whom he considered to be qualified for the U.S. Supreme Court. He would later explain that "under our Constitution, it is the president's call to make.
After losing to George W. Bush in the primary campaign of 2000, McCain began 2001 by breaking with the new George W. Bush administration on a number of matters, including HMO reform, climate change, and gun legislation; McCain–Feingold was opposed by Bush as well. In May 2001, McCain was one of only two Senate Republicans to vote against the Bush tax cuts. Besides the differences with Bush on ideological grounds, there was considerable antagonism between the two remaining from the previous year's campaign. Later, when a Republican senator, Jim Jeffords, became an Independent, thereby throwing control of the Senate to the Democrats, McCain defended Jeffords against "self-appointed enforcers of party loyalty.
Today no one stands on principle. Republicans today are emasculated by a bully in the White House who might not even last a term. Even those who are retiring have “retired” from taking much of a stand on anything.
John McCain wasn’t perfect. Friends of mine who worked for Senators from the Mountain states would tell me that McCain aides would be terrified if the Arizona Senator was in a furious mood regarding an issue or staff work that wasn’t up to his standards. But they almost always went back to work for him.
As a Presidential candidate, he alternated between gutsy moves like his “Straight Talk Express” which inspired many and then took the expedient way in 2008 by naming an unknown Alaska Governor as his Veep. There were those, me included, who might have voted for him had he picked someone else.
He could be harsh, and unyielding but when proven wrong, or realizing he was off base, like a man, like a true leader he admitted it and moved on.
McCain was an authentic war hero who was nearly beaten to death in a Hanoi prison camp. In that time, McCain might have bent slightly but never broke. Even the criticism of a draft dodging military school bully just seemed to roll off his back. McCain let his record and others defend his actions during the 60s.
He was called a “Maverick” but in reality he was just a common sense guy trying to do the right thing. Like this example we can remember from the 2008 campaign.

It is fitting that McCain’s eulogies will be given by two former Presidents. Two men who defeated him for the highest office in the land he loved so much. George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Interesting choice isn’t?
McCain was asked in an interview how he wanted to be remembered. He simply said he wanted to be known as “One who served and I hope, served honorably”
He will be. And for much, much more.
McCain was 81 just a few days short of his 82nd birthday.

8th DISTRICT RACE HEATS UP IN WILKES BARRE WITH ACTIVITY 

DONUTS AND DOORS

Saturday morning 8th Congressional candidate John Chrin joined Sue Henry, candidate for State Representative in the 121st for “”Donuts and Doors”. Republicans hit the streets of Wilkes Barre going after votes for both candidates.

Here’s the gang before hitting the pavement.

Henry and Chrin in Wilkes Barre’s 12th Ward. 

(Photos: Kathleen Smith-Sue Henry Facebook page) 

CARTWRIGHT TO OPEN OFFICE IN WILKES BARRE

On Tuesday, August 28th, the Matt Cartwright for Congress campaign will open a field office at 55 N Main St. in Wilkes-Barre. The office will be the third full-time, permanent office the campaign has opened for the 2018 election cycle and will serve as a hub of volunteer activities going forward. Congressman Cartwright will be in attendance and will address the supporters and volunteers who join him. The event is from 6.30-8.30 PM.