Dave Ross: I wish Senator John McCain well
Jul 20, 2017, 7:38 AM
Sen. John McCain. (File, AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
(File, AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
It wasn’t just a blood clot. Senator John McCain has brain cancer.
At the age of 80, he’s been diagnosed with glioblastoma, which is the fastest-growing tumor of this kind.
The prognosis is not good. The Associated Press reports this kind of tumor is “aggressive and sneaky,” putting out microscopic roots that dig deep into brain tissue.
Ted Kennedy died at the age 77 of a slower-growing tumor called glioma, and it also struck at a time when he represented a crucial vote in the Obamacare debate.
But Political Analyst Larry Sabato says don’t count McCain out:
“I think the chances are very very good that Sen. McCain will remain in the Senate. Senator Kennedy set the precedent for that, he was in the Senate during all the time he was being treated for his brain cancer.
“Senator McCain is a real fighter. He survived over five years being tortured in a North Vietnamese prison camp. It tells you that he is tough to the core.”
But Ed O’Keefe of The Washington Post says there’s no denying the political effect of this.
“It has an immediate effect on everything the Senate is considering right now. Remember, this week was supposed to be about health care. His need to go to the doctor and have this procedure totally upended the plans of having a vote on Tuesday that would have potentially progressed the health care bill to the point where it could be debated and passed.
“This is going to be a real blow to both parties, to both chambers, and frankly could have big ramifications.”
It’s not clear when Senator McCain will return to the Senate.
Long time KIRO listeners may remember the RossPAC days when we were sending money to members of Congress who were willing to break ranks on principle. When Senator McCain cooperated with Democrat Russ Feingold on campaign finance reform we did a RossPAC campaign.
McCain ended up inviting me to his office. I have absolutely no recollection of what we talked about, except that he couldn’t have been more gracious. It also put me on the list for all his campaign mailings for years after that.
I wish him well.
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Tune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.
