"More than once during his career, John drew comparisons to Teddy Roosevelt. And I’m sure it’s been noted that Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” oration seems tailored to John. Most of you know it: Roosevelt speaks of those who strive, who dare to do great things, who sometimes win and sometimes come up short, but always relish a good fight – a contrast to those cold, timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. Isn’t that the spirit we celebrate this week? That striving to be better, to do better, to be worthy of the great inheritance that our founders bestowed. So much of our politics, our public life, our public discourse, can seem small and mean and petty, trafficking in bombast and insult, in phony controversies and manufactured outrage. It’s a politics that pretends to be brave and tough, but in fact is born of fear. John called on us to be bigger than that. He called on us to be better than that."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Military leaders from the United StatesMembers of the United States SenateUnited States presidential candidates, 2000United States presidential candidates, 2008Politicians from Arizona
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Barack Obama in his eulogy for McCain (1 September 2018)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_McCain
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
John McCain
politician, naval officer, autobiographer
1936 – 2018 · United States
John Sidney McCain III (29 August 1936 - 25 August 2018) was an American politician, statesman, and United States Navy officer who served as a United States Senator for Arizona from 1987 until his death in 2018. He previously served two terms in the United States House of Representatives and was the Republican nominee for president of the United States in the 2008 election, which he lost to Barack Obama.
463 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by John McCain →
Related Quotes
"I've fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq when it wasn't the popular thing to do."
"We lost -- we lost the trust of the American people when some Republicans gave in to the temptations of corruption. W…"
"I've found just the right partner to help me shake up Washington, Gov. Sarah Palin of the great state of Alaska. ... …"
"I don't work for myself. I work for you. I've fought corruption, and it didn't matter if the culprits were Democrats …"
"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 a…"
"I fight for the family of Matthew Stanley of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Matthew died serving our country in Iraq. I we…"
"I know how to secure the peace."
"All you've ever asked of your government is to stand on your side and not in your way. And that's what I intend to do…"
"Change is coming."
"In this country, we believe everyone has something to contribute and deserves the opportunity to reach their God-give…"