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Will Political Decency Die With John McCain?

Derek Bridges
/
Creative Commons
U.S. Senator John McCain

I didn't vote for U.S. Senator John McCain when he ran for president in 2000 and again in 2008. I was deeply angry with him in 2008 when I felt he capitulated to political pressure when choosing his running mate. I realize now that I felt angry because I expected more from him. In my mind, he was a man with integrity.

Senator McCain was able to respect people with whom he fundamentally disagreed. He worked across the aisle. He also defended then-Senator Obama's character against an angry voter during the 2008 campaign in which they were bitter adversaries. Former President Obama will speak at his funeral. 

Today, can we still put decency over ideology, not just our political leaders, but us? Can we talk to neighbors, friends, family with whom we disagree politically?

We save lots of time for your calls. 

GUEST:

  • Yascha Mounk- Lecturer at Harvard University and a Senior Fellow in the Political Reform Program at New America. He writes a weekly column for Slate, where he also hosts The Good Fight podcast. He’s the author of The People Vs. Democracy: Why Our Freedom Is In Danger & How To Save It, which was released this week. (@yascha_mounk)

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.

Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. She served as the Senior Producer for 'The Colin McEnroe Show' for several years before stepping down in 2021 and returning to her previous career as a registered nurse. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows.

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