National security adviser John Bolton praised Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on Sunday, but declined to say whether the White House should apologize to him for saying his view doesn’t matter anymore because “he’s dying anyway.”
“John McCain came to my defense in 2005 when my nomination to be U.N. ambassador was under criticism,” Bolton said on CNN Sunday. “He and I didn’t know each other very well at the time. We certainly didn’t agree on each and every position that he or I take. But he spent countless hours trying to help me out.”
“I’ll never forget it, I’ll be grateful forever, and I wish John McCain and his family nothing but the best,” he said.
But when pressed to talk about White House aide Kelly Sadler’s remark, Bolton said he wasn’t in the meeting and doesn’t know what was said.
“I’ve just given you my view,” when asked what Sadler’s remark says about what it’s like to work in the White House.
“I’ve said what I’m going to say on the subject,” when asked again if the White House should apologize.
