US presidents past and present have joined world leaders in mourning one-time presidential candidate and war hero John McCain, praising him for a lifetime of service and accomplishments.
President Donald Trump, who once criticised his fellow Republican for being taken prisoner during the Vietnam War, said his “deepest sympathies and respect” went out to Mr McCain’s family.
A black hearse, accompanied by a police motorcade, could be seen driving away from the ranch near Sedona where Mr McCain spent his final weeks.
My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2018
For 50 miles along Interstate 17 southbound, on every bridge and at every exit slip road, people watched the procession.
Hundreds, including many waving American flags, parked their cars and got out to watch.
Former presidents, including those who blocked Mr McCain’s own White House ambitions, offered emotional tributes.
Mr Obama said they “saw our political battles, even, as a privilege, something noble, an opportunity to serve as stewards of those high ideals at home, and to advance them around the world”.
Our statement on the passing of Senator John McCain: pic.twitter.com/3GBjNYxoj5
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 26, 2018
Former president George W Bush, who defeated Mr McCain for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination, called Mr McCain a “man of deep conviction and a patriot of the highest order” and a “friend whom I’ll deeply miss”.
Mr Bush was among those expected to speak at Mr McCain’s funeral.
“Some lives are so vivid, it is difficult to imagine them ended. Some voices are so vibrant, it is hard to think of them stilled. John McCain was a man of deep conviction and a patriot of the highest order.” […] Full statement by President George W. Bush https://t.co/FQVYWIUyGL pic.twitter.com/W8LCxJXRLi
— George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) August 26, 2018
Mr McCain is expected to be remembered at ceremonies in Arizona and Washington before being buried, probably this coming week, at the US Naval Academy Cemetery on a peninsula overlooking the Severn River in Annapolis, Maryland.
Tributes poured in from around the globe.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May hailed Mr McCain as “a great statesman, who embodied the idea of service over self”, while her predecessor David Cameron said the world had “lost a great defender of liberty”.
John McCain was a great statesman, who embodied the idea of service over self. It was an honour to call him a friend of the UK. My deepest sympathies go to his family, and the American people.
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) August 26, 2018
The USA has lost a brave, principled and inspiring leader. The world has lost a great defender of liberty. RIP Senator John McCain. Prayers and love to your family. pic.twitter.com/cFyPaRNmgR
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) August 26, 2018
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Mr McCain was “a wise and remarkable statesman, US ally of Ireland and a proud Scots Irishman who was a champion for immigration reform in the US Senate”.
On behalf of the people of Ireland, I extend my deepest sympathies on the death of Senator John McCain, a wise and remarkable statesman, US ally of Ireland and a proud Scots Irishman who was a champion for immigration reform in the US Senate.
— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) August 26, 2018
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted in English that Mr McCain “was a true American hero. He devoted his entire life to his country”.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr McCain was “one of the great political personalities of our time”, adding that he was “a tireless fighter for a strong transatlantic alliance; his significance went well beyond his own country”.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Mr McCain’s support for the Jewish state “never wavered. It sprang from his belief in democracy and freedom”.
John McCain was a true American hero. He devoted his entire life to his country. His voice will be missed. Our respectful thoughts go to his beloved ones.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2018
Mr McCain was the son and grandson of admirals and followed them to the US Naval Academy.
A pilot, he was shot down over Vietnam and held as a prisoner of war for more than five years.
He went on to win a seat in the House of Representatives and in 1986, the Senate, where he served for the rest of his life.
Former vice president Joe Biden, who developed a friendship with Mr McCain while they served together in the Senate, said the Arizona politician will “cast a long shadow”.
John McCain was many things – a proud graduate of the Naval Academy, a Senate colleague, a political opponent.
But, to me, more than anything, John was a friend. He will be missed dearly. pic.twitter.com/AS8YsMLw3d
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 26, 2018
“The spirit that drove him was never extinguished: we are here to commit ourselves to something bigger than ourselves,” Mr Biden said.
The Senate’s top Democrat, New York’s Chuck Schumer, said he wants to rename the Senate building that housed Mr McCain’s suite of offices after him.
“As you go through life, you meet few truly great people. John McCain was one of them,” Mr Schumer said.
“Maybe most of all, he was a truth teller – never afraid to speak truth to power in an era where that has become all too rare.”
