When a Leader Doesn't Understand Civility

The country lost a great statesman this weekend. Senator John McCain exemplified what we think of as the American politician - he was principled, patriotic, compassionate, a war hero, well-spoken, a bit of a maverick, and not afraid to speak his mind. His response to 5 1/2 years of captivity and torture was to become a public servant, when he easily could have been defeated by what was a horrific experience that left him unable to lift his arms enough to comb his own hair. He was proud to serve his country both in the Navy and in politics. He was a decent human being, who was friends with his fellow politicians, regardless of party, and was able to move on twice from crushing defeats in presidential elections to be friends with the men who defeated him.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a liberal progressive, and will understand when I say that I didn't like John McCain's politics, and he disappointed me plenty of times. But I can also say that I felt like I could trust him.

Anyone who knows me also knows that I think that I am appalled by President Trump. Apart from his administration's policies, I am simply appalled by his lack of leadership. It is never more evident than in his treatment of John McCain. 

One of the hallmarks of American politics has always been the notion of civility. That idea that the men and women elected to federal office maintain the civility of the nation by modeling civility, and that role is especially critical to the President. It is an example first set by President Washington, and is as much a part of the fabric of the country as the notion of individualism and freedom. President Trump either does not understand it, or rejects it. Either way, it is appalling.

President Trump is the man who mocked Senator McCain, saying he is no war hero because he shouldn't have been captured in the first place (and later said he did not regret saying it). Then, shades of Lady Catherine deBourgh, claimed that, if he had gone to Vietnam, he would have avoided capture. He is the man unbothered when a White House aide remarked that what John McCain had to say didn't matter because he'd be dead soon, anyway. And in his latest knuckle headed move, rejected plans for the White House to issue a statement praising John McCain at his death. The sitting president refuses to issue a statement praising one of the longest-serving, most faithful members of the party he is supposed to head. 

A hallmark of American life is that when someone is dying, or passes away, the notion of civility leads us to end the criticism, and reach for dignity. We shift our thoughts to their humanity, to the people who love them, and we allow our compassion to guide us. Our past presidents and other prominent politicians have issued eloquent statements focused on his many accomplishments. Sadly, our current president doesn't understand civility.