‘War is wretched beyond description’: Memorable quotes from John McCain
John McCain, with his irascible grin and fighter-pilot moxie, made a name for himself as an outspoken politician. He was at times bitingly funny, ruthlessly self-deprecating and eloquently patriotic.
Here are some quotes from the senator and former U.S. presidential candidate.
May 6, 1999, speech to the American Red Cross:
“War is wretched beyond description, and only a fool or a fraud could sentimentalize its cruel reality.”
From the 1999 book “Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir” by Sen. John McCain:
“‘Steady strain, buddy, steady strain,’ we cautioned each other whenever we began to take a short view of our lives. It was best to take the long view. We would get home when we got home.”
Feb. 19, 2000, after losing the South Carolina Republican primary:
“I will not take the low road to the highest office in this land. I want the presidency in the best way, not the worst way.”
July 2007, in response to a reporter’s question about his struggling bid for the Republican presidential nomination:
“In the words of Chairman Mao, ‘It’s darkest before it’s totally black.’”
Sept 4, 2008, speech to the Republican National Convention accepting the party’s presidential nomination:
“I don’t mind a good fight. For reasons known only to God, I’ve had quite a few tough ones in my life. But I learned an important lesson along the way: In the end, it matters less that you can fight. What you fight for is the real test.”
October 2008 at a town hall to a questioner who asked if his opponent for the White House, then-Sen. Barack Obama, was an “Arab” implying he was not American:
“No, ma’am. No, ma’am. He’s a decent, family man, citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what this campaign is all about.”
Aug. 2, 2017, interview on KFYI radio in Phoenix after his cancer diagnosis:
“Look, I am the luckiest person that you will ever have on your show, ever. And I am very aware of that, and I am very happy. For a guy who stood at the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy, we’ve come a hell of a long way.”
Sept. 12, 2017, interview on how he hopes he’s remembered:
“He served his country, and not always right — made a lot of mistakes, made a lot of errors — but served his country, and I hope we can add, honorably.”
Oct. 17, 2017, speech at National Constitution Center:
“We live in a land made of ideals, not blood and soil. We are the custodians of those ideals at home, and their champion abroad. We have done great good in the world. That leadership has had its costs, but we have become incomparably powerful and wealthy as we did. We have a moral obligation to continue in our just cause, and we would bring more than shame on ourselves if we don’t. We will not thrive in a world where our leadership and ideals are absent. We wouldn’t deserve to.”
View all our coverage of John McCain (1936-2018) »
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