Admiral John McCain (d. 1981) was close to Reagan. Reagan’s relationship to politician McCain was more difficult because of McCain dumping his semi-disabled first wife for rich mistress who became his financier/second wife. Ronald and Nancy Reagan supported McCain after he won the GOP House primary in 1982 but they also remained close to his first wife who they made director of the White House visitor center.
Interesting information. It’s amazing to see the connections between the various figures and leaders. Reagan made his name and reputation and burst on the scene by speaking for Goldwater in 1964. Goldwater’s defeat and the reaction against LBJ and The Great Society and his escalation in Vietnam among other things, led to the backlash in 1966 that brought Reagan to the Governorship in California. In 1973 Reagan made his first speech to CPAC and accompanying him was a newly freed POW back from Vietnam named John McCain. 5 years later his father would be Reagan’s 2nd in this debate. In 1986 McCain would fill Goldwater’s seat in the Senate. Later on he’d be the 2nd Arizonan nominated for President.
Say what you will about McCain, but he and his ancestors served this country honorably. It’s a shame most people have no clue about that history, or if they do, don’t care. I can guarntee you he’d never have bugged out of laying a wreath at Arlington on Memorial Day.
And seeing Will, Buckley and Buchanan, arguably the 3 most imfluential conservative media figures of the past generation.
Just interesting to see them all together.
It’s like seeing the clip of the 1980 NH GOP debate with Reagan, Bush and Dole together at the front of the hall. That picture right there pretty much gives you the next 28 yrs of the party and the country, if you include Bush and his son.