Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., says in a new documentary of his life that he is thankful for the life he’s lived.
“The American people don’t hold Washington and the people who work there in very high esteem. We need to make sure that we give the American people what they deserve, and right now they’re not getting it,” McCain said in an interview for “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” named for the Ernest Hemingway novel which McCain still lists as his favorite.
“I know this is a very vicious disease. I greet every day with gratitude, and I will continue to do everything that I can but I’m also very aware that none of us live forever,” he continued. “And I’m confident, and I’m happy, and I’m very grateful for the life I’ve been able to lead, and I greet the future with joy.”
McCain, 81, revealed he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in July and has been in his home state since Dec. 17 undergoing and recovering from various treatments.
The HBO documentary interweaves interviews and archival footage as it charts McCain’s career highs and lows as a naval aviator during the Vietnam War, a two-time presidential candidate, and a six-term Arizona senator.
In a sit-down interview with former President George W. Bush for the film, Bush recalled being trounced by McCain in the New Hampshire primary as the pair vied for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination.
“It was a turning point for me because he outworked me and he had a better message for New Hampshire. And so I told my team, ‘Look, let’s view this as a blessing not a defeat,'” Bush said.
“And for that I’m thankful because I needed to show people I could get off the mat,” he added.
“For Whom the Bell Tolls” premieres May 28.
