John McCain's Statement On Capt. Kahn Is Touching, Sincere and Meaningless

What will it take for John McCain to withdraw his support for a man he is clearly disgusted by?

This morning, former Presidential candidate and current Arizona senator, John McCain released a statement defending the late Army Captain Humayun Khan and his parents from statements made by Donald Trump. At last week’s DNC convention, Captain Khan’s father, Khizr, accompanied by his wife Ghazala, made a stirring speech denouncing the candidacy of Donald Trump and declaring his unflinching patriotism as a Muslim living in the U.S. In the speech Khan said that Trump has, “sacrificed nothing and no one” and questioned whether or not the GOP nominee has ever read the constitution.

Trump, as he is wont to do, responded with an entirely substance-less attack on Khan’s family. In an interview with the New York Times, Trump said he’d, “like to hear the wife say something.” He then expanded on his point by stating, “maybe she wasn’t allowed to say anything, you tell me.” Ghazala Khan had much to say in response to Trump’s criticism. A criticism that, it must be noted, was aimed at the grieving mother of a heroic soldier who died serving the very country Mr.Trump hopes to run. Later, when pressed by George Stephanopoulos on ABC News, Trump was unable to name a single sacrifice he’s had to bear in his life.

In Senator McCain’s statement, the former POW denounced the comments of his party’s nominee while expounding on the heroic sacrifice of Captain Khan and his family. The words (below) are thoughtful, measured and surely seem to be sincere. But the reality is every word in this statement—and the others he has made in opposition to Donald Trump—mean absolutely nothing. They are as hollow as hollow can be.

Here’s McCain,

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.

These are the words of a hypocrite—there’s no other way to spin it.

Despite his clear opposition to nearly everything Donald Trump says, John McCain still supports this man’s campaign to be the leader of the free world. And this fact alone makes his words entirely meaningless. One of the main rules for writing is to, “Show, don’t tell,” and this rather banal trope holds true in this scenario as well.

Senator McCain, if you oppose the man your party has nominated as their nominee SHOW it. Rescind your support. Stop cowering behind words and be definitive and direct. Choose action. These statements are quite simply not enough. Exercise your free will. Be an intriguing cliche and actually listen to your heart. Sure you’re set for an uncertain primary and a difficult general race, but it’s time to be a human being. What you’re doing now is blindly kowtowing to your party in the service of some greater community that no longer exists.

Right now you’re just another soulless domino stepping in line and waiting to be inevitably toppled over.

Stop hiding.

Be an actual maverick.

Here’s McCain’s full statement:

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.