'May God bless John McCain': Read Obama's full eulogy to John McCain

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Barack Obama’s full eulogy at memorial service for Senator John S. McCain
USA TODAY

Former President Barack Obama gave a eulogy at the John McCain memorial in Washington DC on Saturday. The full text of that speech was provided by Sen. John McCain’s office. 

To John’s beloved family, Mrs. McCain, to Cindy and the McCain children, President and Mrs. Bush, President and Secretary Clinton, Vice President and Mrs. Biden, Vice President and Mrs. Cheney, Vice President Gore, and as John would say, my friends. We come to celebrate an extraordinary man. A warrior. A statesman. A patriot who embodied so much that is best in America.

President Bush and I are among the fortunate few who competed against John at the highest levels of politics. He made us better presidents just as he made the Senate better, just as he makes this country better.

So for someone like John to ask you while he is still alive to stand and speak of him when he is gone is a precious and singular honor. Now, when John called me with that request earlier this year, I’ll admit sadness and also a certain surprise. But after our conversation ended, I realized how well it captured some of John’s essential qualities.

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President Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani, center, talks with Ukrainian boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, left, as they arrive to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APPresident Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani, second from right, talks with Ukrainian boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, second from left, as they arrive to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APFrom left, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne and former Vice President Al Gore participate in a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APVisitors crowd the Vietnam Veterans Memorial after Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., placed a wreath, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik, APVisitors crowd the Vietnam Veterans Memorial after Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., placed a wreath, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik, APEliana Duy, 8, of Fla., poses for a photo at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial after Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., placed a wreath, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain arrives at a memorial service for her husband, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. Watching in the front row from left are President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APCindy McCain greets, from left, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former vice president Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFront from left, former Defense Secretary William Cohen, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Joe Biden listen during a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. Back row, second from right is former Texas Senator Phil Gramm and third from left is former Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFrom left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former vice president Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne and former vice president Al Gore attend at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFormer President Barack Obama, center, and former first lady Michelle Obama, right, arrive with other dignitaries and invited guests to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. On the far left is former Vice President Al Gore. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFormer President Bill Clinton, right, greets former Vice President Al Gore, left, as they arrive with other dignitaries and invited guests to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFrom l-r., Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and his wife Cheryl Flake, arrive with other dignitaries and invited guests to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APSen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and his wife Marcelle, greet former Sen. Bob Dole, center, as they arrive for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFormer Vice President Joe Biden, second from right, and actor Warren Beatty, right, wait to escort the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, for a memorial service. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APThe family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., from left, Doug McCain, Andrew McCain (partially hidden), Sidney McCain, Ben Domenech and his wife Meghan McCain, Cindy McCain, Jimmy McCain and his wife Holly and Jack McCain and his wife Renee Swift watch as the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, for a memorial service. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta, APThe family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., including from left, Andrew McCain, Doug McCain, second from left, Meghan McCain, from front row left, Bridget McCain, Cindy McCain, Jimmy McCain and Jack McCain, watch as the casket is carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, for a departure to the Washington National Cathedral for a memorial service. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via AP, Pool) Marvin Joseph, APFrom left, Meghan McCain, Cindy McCain, Jimmy McCain and his wife Holly pause as they watch the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrive at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, for a memorial service. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APRhonda Zuck, left, and her husband, Tim Zuck, center, who both served in the U.S. Army, drove from Racine, Wis., for the wreath laying ceremony for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (Ray Whitehouse/Pool photo via AP) Ray Whitehouse, APHolly Knowlton, left, and her husband retired Gen. David Petraeus, right, arrive to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APA crowd gathers before Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a memorial service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APA crowd gathers before Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a memorial service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APThe family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., front row from left, Meghan McCain, Bridget McCain and Cindy McCain, watches as his casket is carried to a hearse from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, for a departure to the Washington National Cathedral for a memorial service. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool Photo via AP) Jim Lo Scalzo, APNavy Lt. Jack McCain, the son of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is reflected in the wall of the Vietnam Memorial as Jack’s mother, Cindy McCain, accompanied by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, right, and President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, departs after laying a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., center, accompanied by President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, right, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, and family members, arrives at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APBridget McCain and Meghan McCain, daughters of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., watch as Cindy McCain, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., holds a tissue as she arrives to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APFamily members of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., watch as his wife, Cindy McCain, right, accompanied by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, third from right, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from right, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, AP

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Cindy McCain tweet: ‘Together we mourn and together we go on’

It showed his irreverence, his sense of humor, a little bit of a mischievous streak. After all, what better way to get a last laugh than make George and I say nice things about him to a national audience? And most of all it showed a largeness of spirit. An ability to see past differences in search of common ground.

And in fact on the surface, John and I could not have been more different. We’re of different generations. I came from a broken home and never knew my father. John was the stein of one of America’s most distinguished military families. I have a reputation for keeping cool. John not so much. We were standard bearers of different American political traditions and throughout my presidency, John never hesitated to tell me when he thought I was screwing up, which by his calculation was about once a day.

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Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (left), R-Ariz., waves to the crowd behind him as he stands on stage with Republican vice presidential running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (from second left), Cindy McCain, Piper Palin, Willow Palin, and Todd Palin, as Sarah Palin introduces John McCain at a rally at Green Memorial Stadium in Green, Ohio, on Oct. 22, 2008. Associated Press

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‘My father is gone’: Read Meghan McCain’s full eulogy to her father

Others this week and this morning have spoken to the depths of his torment and the depths of his courage there in the cells of Hanoi when day after day, year after year, that youthful iron was tempered into steel. And it brings to mind something that Hemingway wrote, a book that Meghan referred to, his favorite book. “Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other days that ever come can depend on what you do today.”

In captivity, John learned in ways that few of us ever will the meaning of those words. How each moment, each day, each choice is a test. And John McCain passed that test again and again and again. And that’s why when John spoke of virtues like service and duty, it didn’t ring hollow. They weren’t just words to him. It was a truth that he had lived and for which he was prepared to die. And it forced even the most cynical to consider what were we doing for our country? What might we risk everything for?

Much has been said this week about what a maverick John was. In fact, John was a pretty conservative guy. Trust me, I was on the receiving end of some of those votes. But he did understand that some principles transcend politics. Some values transcend party. He considered it part of his duty to uphold those principles and uphold those values.

John cared about the institutions of self-government, our constitution, our bill of rights, rule of law. Separation of powers. Even the arcane rules and procedures of the Senate. He knew that in a nation as big and boisterous and diverse as ours, those institutions, those rules, those norms are what bind us together. They give shape and order to our common life. Even when we disagree. Especially when we disagree.

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John believed in honest argument and hearing other views. He understood that if we get in the habit of bending the truth to suit political expediency or party orthodoxy, our democracy will not work. That’s why he was willing to buck his own party at times. Occasionally work across the aisle on campaign finance reform and immigration reform. That’s why he championed a free and independent press as vital to our democratic debate. And the fact it earned him good coverage didn’t hurt either.

John understood, as JFK understood, as Ronald Reagan understood, that part of what makes our country great is that our membership is based not on our bloodline, not on what we look like, what our last names are. It’s not based on where our parents or grandparents came from or how recently they arrived, but on adherence to a common creed that all of us are created equal. Endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights.

It has been mentioned today and we’ve seen footage this week of John pushing back against supporters who challenged my patriotism during the 2008 campaign. I was grateful but I wasn’t surprised. As Joe Lieberman said, that was John’s instinct. I never saw John treat anyone differently because of their race or religion or gender.

And I’m certain that in those moments that have been referred to during the campaign he saw himself as defending America’s character, not just mine. He considered it the imperative of every citizen who loves this country to treat all people fairly.

And finally, while John and I disagreed on all kinds of foreign policy issues, we stood together on America’s role as the one indispensable nation, believing that with great power and great blessings comes great responsibility. That burden is borne most heavily by our men and women in uniform. Service members like Doug, Jimmy, Jack who followed their father’s footsteps, as well as families that serve alongside our troops.

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Former President Barack Obama praises John McCain, highlighting his mischievous streak, heroism and unwavering loyalty to nation and ideals.
USA TODAY

But John understood that our security and our influence was won not just by our military might, not just by our wealth, not just by our ability to bend others to our will, but from our capacity to inspire others with our adherence to a set of universal values. Like rule of law and human rights and insistence on the God-given dignity of every human being.

Of course, John was the first to tell us he was not perfect. Like all of us that go into public service, he did have an ego. Like all of us there was no doubt some votes he cast, some compromises he struck, some decisions he made that he wished he could have back.

It is no secret, it has been mentioned that he had a temper, and when it flared up, it was a force of nature, a wonder to behold. His jaw grinding, his face reddening, his eyes boring a hole right through you. Not that I ever experienced it firsthand, mind you.

But to know John was to know that as quick as his passions might flare, he was just as quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness. He knew more than most his own flaws, his blind spots, and he knew how to laugh at himself. And that self-awareness made him all the more compelling.

We didn’t advertise it, but every so often over the course of my presidency John would come over to the White House and we’d just sit and talk in the Oval Office, just the two of us. We would talk about policy and we’d talk about family and we’d talk about the state of our politics.

And our disagreements didn’t go away during these private conversations. Those were real and they were often deep. But we enjoyed the time we shared away from the bright lights and we laughed with each other and we learned from each other and we never doubted the other man’s sincerity or the other man’s patriotism or that when all was said and done, we were on the same team. We never doubted we were on the same team.

For all of our differences, we shared a fidelity to the ideals for which generations of Americans have marched and fought and sacrificed and given their lives. We considered our political battles a privilege, an opportunity to serve as stewards of those ideals here at home and do our best to advance them around the world. We saw this country as a place where anything is possible and citizenship as an obligation to ensure it forever remains that way.

More than once during his career John drew comparisons to Teddy Roosevelt. I am sure it has been noted that Roosevelt’s men in the arena of 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 and phony controversies and manufactured outrage. It’s 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.

Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other days that will ever come can depend on what you do today. What better way to honor John McCain’s life of service than as best we can follow his example to prove that the willingness to get in the arena and fight for this country is not reserved for the few. It is open to all of us, and in fact it is demanded of all of us as citizens of this great Republic.

That’s perhaps how we honor him best, by recognizing that there are some things bigger than party or ambition or money or fame or power. That there are some things that are worth risking everything for, principles that are eternal, truths that are abiding. At his best, John showed us what that means. For that, we are all deeply in his debt.

May God bless John McCain. May God bless this country he served so well.

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