“The Republican Party I know and love is the party of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan.
“I wear a bracelet bearing the name of a fallen hero, Matthew Stanley, which his mother, Lynn, gave me in 2007, at a town hall meeting in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. His memory and the memory of our great leaders deserve better from me.
“In recent days, Donald Trump disparaged a fallen soldier’s parents. He has suggested that the likes of their son should not be allowed in the United States — to say nothing of entering its service. I cannot emphasize enough how deeply I disagree with Mr. Trump’s statement. I hope Americans understand that the remarks do not represent the views of our Republican Party, its officers, or candidates.
“Make no mistake: I do not valorize our military out of some unfamiliar instinct. I grew up in a military family, and have my own record of service, and have stayed closely engaged with our armed forces throughout my public career. In the American system, the military has value only inasmuch as it protects and defends the liberties of the people.
“My father was a career naval officer, as was his father. For hundreds of years, every generation of McCains has served the United States in uniform.
“My sons serve today, and I’m proud of them. My youngest served in the war that claimed Captain Khan’s life as well as in Afghanistan. I want them to be proud of me. I want to do the right thing by them and their comrades.
“Humayun Khan did exactly that — and he did it for all the right reasons. This accomplished young man was not driven to service as a United States Army officer because he was compelled to by any material need. He was inspired as a young man by his reading of Thomas Jefferson — and he wanted to give back to the country that had taken him and his parents in as immigrants when he was only two years old.
“Captain Khan’s death in Iraq, on June 8th, 2004, was a shining example of the valor and bravery inculcated into our military. When a suicide bomber accelerated his vehicle toward a facility with hundreds of American soldiers, Captain Khan ordered his subordinates away from the danger.
“Then he ran toward it.
“The suicide bomber, striking prematurely, claimed the life of Captain Khan — and Captain Khan, through his selfless action and sacrifice, saved the lives of hundreds of his brothers and sisters.
“Scripture tells us that ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’
“Captain Humayun Khan of the United States Army showed in his final moments that he was filled and motivated by this love. His name will live forever in American memory, as an example of true American greatness.
“In the end, I am morally bound to speak only to the things that command my allegiance, and to which I have dedicated my life’s work: the Republican Party, and more importantly, the United States of America. I will not refrain from doing my utmost by those lights simply because it may benefit others with whom I disagree.
“I claim no moral superiority over Donald Trump. I have a long and well-known public and private record for which I will have to answer at the Final Judgment, and I repose my hope in the promise of mercy and the moderation of age. I challenge the nominee to set the example for what our country can and should represent.
“Arizona is watching. It is time for Donald Trump to set the example for our country and the future of the Republican Party. While our Party has bestowed upon him the nomination, it is not accompanied by unfettered license to defame those who are the best among us.
“Lastly, I’d like to say to Mr. and Mrs. Khan: thank you for immigrating to America. We’re a better country because of you. And you are certainly right; your son was the best of America, and the memory of his sacrifice will make us a better nation — and he will never be forgotten.”
Tag Archives: John McCain
John McCain’s Statement regarding Captain Khan
Trump Kids says Donald Trump is a great dad, but he is still a terrible candidate
“Our father, Donald J. Trump is a true visionary and a great mentor,” Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump said in the statement. “He is a brilliant negotiator with a proven track record of getting things done. Most importantly, he is an incredible dad and role model. He raised us to work hard and strive for excellence in all that we do.”
No one is questioning Donald Trump’s parenting style. Insults a war hero, tells a packed house and millions watching the personal phone number of another candidate and calls illegal immigrants “murderers and rapist”. Might be Father of the Year but will never be President of the United States.
Donald Trump learns the hard way that you can not insult a “true” American
In 2012 Donald Trump embraced birtherism. He questioned the President’s citizenship and he was invited on the major networks (NBC and Fox embraced him) to share his claims. The Republican candidates including Mitt Romney came to New York to kiss his rink and hopefully get his endorsement. Very few of them challenged him on the birther issue. When he announced his run for the presidency this past June he insulted the Hispanic community. He labeled some of them as rapist and murders and he said some might be good people. Some candidates rejected his harsh rhetoric, but others stayed silent. Still in awe of the Trump brand and the chance that once he parks his circus car he might toss them a bone. So yesterday when he struck out at John McCain he could not have foreseen the universal disdain that he is receiving. Trump a man who received 4 deferments had the nerve to challenge a former POW who was held captive for over 5 years. Trump has declared that McCain was captured and he likes people who were not captured. So why did this strike such a strident cord? Could it be that this is the first time he has gone after someone who the majority see as a “True American”? Sadly, there are still people in this country who truly believe the President was born in Kenya, and if you follow that line of thinking Trump was regarded as a truth teller. There is also a group of people who believe illegal immigrants are potential criminals, but you would be hard pressed to find too many people that would agree with his characterization of a real American, John McCain.
Donald Trump learned a lesson today…don’t mess with a war hero
Donald Trump is an arrogant tough talking loudmouth. He is thin skinned and will attack anyone that crosses him. His blunt talk has been cheered by many, but today he might have let his mouth talk him into a fight he can not win. It is one thing to beat up and belittle the illegal immigrants, but it is another thing to belittle a POW. You can’t do it and most people with a modicum of good sense know it, but not The Donald. He thought it was going to just be another witty Trumpism, but it is not. A person who has never served a day for their country definitely has no right to question the service of someone who was captured by the enemy and lived to tell it. Trump is a know it all but obviously he did not know this is just wrong.