John McCain PBS FRONTLINE Documentary Analysis

By Jake Rader and Emily Egan

Summary: On August 27th, 2018, two days after the death of Senator John McCain, PBS released a documentary chronicling the storied career of the Congressman.  After serving his country with honor during his harrowing time as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War, McCain transitioned into politics.  McCain entered Congress in 1987, during a period in which Democrats and Republicans often worked together as colleagues. Over time, the parties grew farther and farther apart, McCain having a front row seat. However, McCain did not succumb to the changing ideology of the Republican Party.  He stuck to his principle of being a moderate Republican and earned the reputation for being a “maverick” due to his ability to see past party lines pertaining to many issues. McCain was known for criticizing members of the Republican party who possessed far right ideals. This would hurt McCain as in 2000 he lost the Republican nomination to George W Bush.  Bush had the backing of the Republican establishment, which played a large part in McCain’s downfall. In 2008, McCain rebounded and won the Republican nomination. However, in order to appeal to the right-wing base, McCain nominated Sarah Palin as his running mate. This decision is largely viewed as why McCain lost the election, and this choice haunts McCain, and a large segment of the population to this day.

Talking Points:

1. McCain shows up to congress to vote against President Trump’s Affordable Care Act Reform just one week after being diagnosed with brain cancer. ( 1:03-7:39)
2. McCain was captured during the Vietnam War, and held by the Vietnamize as a prisoner of war.  (12:00-16:04)
3. McCain begins to show an interest in Politics. (16:40-19:39)
4. McCain and four other Democrats are subject to an inquiry that revolves around their dealings with an Arizona savings and loan owner Charles Keating. (20:35-22:52)
5. McCain finds himself in a changing Republican party after the 1994 midterm elections.  (22:43-25:03)
6. McCain ran a failed presidential campaign in 2000.  He lost the Republican nomination to eventual president George W. Bush. (25:35-30:10)
7. After years of being an outsider in the Republican party, McCain makes peace with right-wing leaders in order to gain support for his 2008 presidential campaign.  (30:11-34:35)
8. Due to lacking support from the Republican base, McCain nominates Sarah Palin as his running mate. (34:41-45:36)
9. Sarah Palin endorses Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016. (45:38-52:22)

Significant Sources (In no particular order):

• Peter Baker, The New York Times
• Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), McCain’s close friend.
• Orson Swindle, POW from 1966-1973, McCain advisor and friend.
• Veronica Clarke, McCain Press Secretary from 1983-1989
• Senator Gary Hart (D-CO) 1975-1987, McCain’s close friend.
• Senator William “Billy” Cohen (R-ME), McCain’s close friend.
• Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-GA), House Speaker from 1995-1999.
• Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
• Matt Bai, The New York Times Magazine.
• Tom Daschle, (D-SD), Majority Leader from 2001-2003.

Important Clips:

1. 12:04-13:51
2. 17:28-18:02
3. 21:41-22:54
4. 41:27-42:28
5. 47:04-48:37

Conclusion:  

            When John McCain died in 2018, he left behind a legacy that will be remembered by Republicans and Democrats alike for generations to come. McCain always did what he believed was right, no matter the cost. He acted in a way to represent what he believed was in the best interest of the country, and Republican hearsay did not matter to him.  McCain would rather commit suicide than dishonor his country. He truly put his country first. Nevertheless, the irony in McCain’s story is palpable to say the least. McCain realized that after the Republican establishment sabotaged his campaign in 2000, he would need the far right in order to have a chance at winning the election. McCain bargained with people he spent the majority of his career opposing and nominated Sarah Palin in order to appeal to the base.  Sarah Palin energized this segment of the Republican party like nobody had ever seen. However, that was until Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016. In a way, Palin was a microcosm of what Donald Trump would become, as the Tea Party movement is the basis for the modern-day Trump supporter. It’s quite ironic to think that John McCain, who spent a large part of his career opposing this segment of the party, would inadvertently be responsible for the divided congress/nation we have today.  It is a tragic end for an American hero, and without a doubt one of the most honorable, and decent individuals our country has ever seen: John McCain.