What You Probably Don’t Know About John McCain

Sometime in the next few days, longtime Arizona Senator John McCain will say the last of his good-byes to his family, friends, and fellow Americans. As that sad moment comes and goes, we’ll be hearing many more praises and critiques of his life and career. I’d just like to mention two significant things about him that might get overlooked in all the news coverage. Ironically, they should be among the parts of his life that get the most mention, because they illuminate qualities that most of us will want in our next president, particularly in contrast with our current one.

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Barbara Bush and the End We All Face

Update: About a day after I posted this piece, Barbara Bush passed away. I pray for comfort for those close to her.

It’s truly sad news: former First Lady and longtime Houstonian Barbara Bush, surely one of the quickest wits to ever grace the White House, has decided to forego further medical efforts to cure the illnesses that will end her life. She is 92 years old.

Many of you don’t remember her, given that she last was First Lady 25 years ago. So I’d like to share my own Barbara Bush story.

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Jimmy and Me

Our conversation lasted all of 10 seconds, but it will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m speaking of the precious moment that I shared with one James Earl Carter, Jr. nearly 20 years ago in Dallas. I was a grad student; he was the former 39th President of the United States.

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