And then there were none.
With the passing of statesman-senator John McCain over the weekend, many are suggesting that there are no “giants” left in the Senate, once populated with overwhelming personalities like Edward M. Kennedy, Robert Byrd, Bob Dole and Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
“While there are some emerging voices developing in the chamber, Senator McCain is considered the last of the giants of this generation,” said Ron Bonjean, former top spokesman to then-Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and chief of staff to the Senate Republican Conference.
“I honestly believe that John is the last giant of the Senate — at least in the foreseeable future,” said pollster John Zogby.
“As politicians go, McCain was one of the best, even more so by today’s substantially lowered standards. He tried to be fair, was a tad temperamental, but a solid citizen,” added Jan Scruggs, a fellow Vietnam War veteran and father of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Washington’s Mall.
Republican public affairs consultant Mark Corallo said, “It seems like we are entering into a new era with the passing of John McCain. McCain was a titan. But I think that McCain himself would be the first one to tell you that someone else will rise up and assume the mantle because this is America and America produces great patriots like himself who step into the arena and make the sacrifices true service requires.”
While there remain substantial senators with great influence, few have the background of McCain, a long-time POW and twice presidential candidate.
Some pointed to Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. Others noted that former Sen. Bob Dole remains a powerful force in retirement.
Newsmax Media chief Chris Ruddy, for example, said, “I think Sen. Susan Collins has demonstrated tremendous independence and integrity, she is the conscience of the Senate. And while I disagree with many of his positions, I think Sen. Blumenthal has demonstrated the ability to take on courageous positions and could become the Senate’s next Ted Kennedy.”
Greg Mueller, president of CRC Public Relations also cited Utah Sen. Mike Lee, considered for the Supreme Court by President Trump. “While he might not roar as often or as loud as other media-designated ‘lions’ of the Senate, Mike Lee certainly fits the definition. A true historian of the nation’s founding and a patriot, Senator Lee understands the proper role of the Senate, and he is a man of great character who puts principle over politics,” said Mueller.
Corallo added, “It takes principle, a thick skin and a willingness to put up with an enormous amount of frustration, but I could see a guy like Sen. Ben Sasse, if he has the patience to stay for 30-year, becoming an historic member of the Senate.”
But the growing partisanship in Washington and politically nationally has created a wall to the type of bipartisan politics that have been practiced by past greats.
Bonjean explained, “The Senate has grown severely partisan over the past decade. This makes it much more difficult for another giant to emerge where an independent leader can bridge the party divide and capture the attention of the nation.”
Like some past greats, McCain has an unusual life story that worked so well into his political life.
“First, is the personal story — the heroic life of the POW who suffered alongside his men rather than seize the opportunity for personal freedom. That alone could have set him apart from his colleagues. Second was his sense of duty. He is the representative of an age cohort that came of age during the Cold War and who embody traditional values of duty, patriotism, responsibility, service. Third, he is the embodiment of the Marlboro Man, John Wayne and Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart — that rugged individual who faces the elements, the enemy, the politicians, the special interests, then bowls them over with his wit, his brains, his ability to form coalitions, and then win,” said Zogby.
The pollster recalled, for example, working up a presidential campaign survey in which McCain was named. Once the Arizona senator’s past, especially as a Navy jet pilot and prisoner of war, were explained, his numbers jumped as voters gave him more respect.
“I recall a poll I did for Reuters in New Hampshire in March 1999 — a year before the presidential primaries. There were 11 possible GOP candidates and horse race went like this: George W. Bush, 34 percent, Elizabeth Dole, 15 percent, former Vice President Dan Quayle, 11 percent, Jack Kemp, 10 percent, John McCain, 7 percent, and so on. Then we read one paragraph positive blind bios of each (no name). The ‘McCain’ bio that included prisoner of war for five and a half years, maverick within his own party especially on issues like campaign finance reform and tobacco vs. the ‘scion of a prominent Republican family, son of a former president, moderate governor of the largest southwestern state, a reformer on education, and speaks fluent Spanish.’ Bush dropped to 24 percent, McCain rose to 23 percent,” said Zogby.
He added, “For McCain it was about the personal story, the unique personality, and his capacity to build his own independent and bipartisan coalition that could create and pass its own legislative agenda.”
