Zaia - MAVERICK: an unauthorized collection of wisdom from john mccain, the sheriff of the senate

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WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that a man who graduated fifth from the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy would go on to become a POW hero and the Republican nominee for president [in 2008]? Anyone who ever met John McCain and his maverick spirit!

A six-term senator from Arizona, McCain was outspoken even from the start of his political career. He continued to raise his voice over decades in office on many issues, including foreign policy, human rights, climate change, campaign finance reform, and pork-barrel spending. Rather than towing the line, he quickly earned a reputation as a straight shooter not afraid to challenge his own party. In 1983, he called for the withdrawal of U.S. Marines from Lebanon. Decades later, he challenged President Trump and Republican attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Hes respected for crossing political divides and lauding the achievements of men and women across the aisle. [Consider his bromance with Joe Biden.]

The secret to his success, according to John: growing up surrounded by people who placed a high value on character and honor. [Both McCains father and paternal grandfather rose to four-star admirals.] McCain has also credited how much he learned from the most challenging experiences of his lifeincluding surviving 5 years [3 of those in solitary confinement] as a POW in Vietnam. McCain earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Distinguished Flying Cross. But he said the greatest prizes of his service were the bonds formed between him and his fellow POWs.

Even after his diagnosis of aggressive brain cancer, McCain continued working between treatments, relying on thankfulness for each day and service to his country to keep him strong. Rarely speechless, McCain responded to his prognosis, I just said, I understand. Now were going to do what we can, get the best doctors we can find, and do the best we can. And at the same time celebrate with gratitude a life well-lived. Let McCains words of wisdom inspire you to call out the truth, invest yourself in the fight to keep American ideals alive, bridge divisions, and live a life of honorable service to country and others.

In prison, I fell in love with my country. I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was little more than a simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges most Americans enjoyed and took for granted. It wasnt until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her.

Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir

What a privilege it is to serve this BIG, BOISTEROUS, BRAWLING, INTEMPERATE, STRIVING, DARING, BEAUTIFUL, BOUNTIFUL, BRAVE, MAGNIFICENT country.

Remarks at the 2017 Liberty Medal Ceremony,

October 16, 2017

Americans are very frustrated, and they have every right to be. Weve wasted a lot of our most precious treasure, which is American lives.

Announcing his entry into the 2008 U.S. presidential race, on Late Show with David Letterman , February 2007

I BELIEVE IN AMERICANS. Were capable of better. Ive seen it. Were hopeful, compassionate people.

Address to Naval Academy graduates,

October 30, 2017

Sacrifices made by veterans deserve to be memorialized in something more lasting than marble or bronze, or in the fleeting effect of a politicians speeches.

Commemorating Veterans Day,

November 10, 2017

TO FEAR THE WORLD we have organized and led for three-quarters of a century for the sake of some half-baked, spurious nationalism cooked up by people who would rather find scapegoats than solve problems is as unpatriotic as an attachment to any other tired dogma of the past that Americans consigned to the ash heap of history.

Remarks at the 2017 Liberty Medal Ceremony,

October 16, 2017

I call on all Americans to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Concession speech, November 8, 2008

I BELIEVE DEEPLY IN THE GREATNESS OF AMERICAS DESTINY AND IN THE GOODNESS OF OUR CAUSE.

Speech declaring candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination,

September 28, 1999

Ive seen Americans make sacrifices for our country and her causes and for people who were strangers to them but for our common humanity, SACRIFICES THAT WERE MUCH HARDER THAN THE SERVICE ASKED OF ME.

Address to Ohio Wesleyan University,

May 11, 1996

Ultimately, Americas greatest strength comes from the values of our society our commitment to truth over falsehood, fairness over injustice, freedom over oppression, and the immortal spirit of humankind.

Remarks at the U.S. Studies Center in Sydney, Australia, May 30, 2017

With all our flaws, all our mistakes, with all the frailties of human nature as much on display as our virtues, with all the rancor and anger of our politics, WE ARE BLESSED.

Remarks at the 2017 Liberty Medal Ceremony,

October 16, 2017

BUT AS BLESSED AS WE ARE, no nation complacent in its greatness can long sustain it.

Address at Jacksonville, Florida,

April 3, 2008

We are living in the land of the free the land where a person can escape the consequences of a self-centered youth and know the satisfaction of sacrificing for an ideal, the land where you can go from aimless rebellion to a noble cause, and from the bottom of your class to your partys nomination for president.

Remarks at the 2017 Liberty Medal Ceremony,

October 16, 2017

WE ARE AMERICANS FIRST, AMERICANS LAST, AND AMERICANS ALWAYS.

Speech at the Republican National Convention,

August 30, 2004

Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone.

Concession speech, November 8, 2008

Among the few compensations of old age is the acuity of hindsight. I see now that I was part of something important along for the ride as America made the future better than the past.

Remarks at the 2017 Liberty Medal Ceremony,

October 16, 2017

I OWE AMERICA MORE THAN SHE HAS EVER OWED ME.

Speech declaring candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination,

September 28, 1999

Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone.

Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir

I dont mind a good fight. For reasons known only to God, Ive 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.

Speech at the Republican National Convention,

September 4, 2008

THE ARC OF HISTORY DOES NOT BEND INEVITABLY TOWARD JUSTICE. AS ALWAYS, THAT IS UP TO US.

Remarks at the U.S. Studies Center in Sydney, Australia, May 30, 2017

I know what courage looks like. I know what it can do. I know its different expressions. I think I know what it costs.

Why Courage Matters