McCain's Tribute to Feingold (Video)

John McCain hates to see his good buddy Russ Feingold leave the U.S. Senate.

On Tuesday, McCain took to the floor of the Senate and delivered what sounded like a eulogy, in praise of Feingold.

It was a relatively lengthy speech.

McCain actually choked up at the end of his remarks.

Video.



Transcript

JOHN McCAIN: I can't do justice in these remarks to all of Russ' many qualities or express completely how much I think this institution benefited from his service here, and how much I benefited from knowing him. I lack the eloquence. I don't think he is replaceable.

We would all do well to keep his example in our minds as we serve our constituents and country and convictions. We couldn't have a better role model.

I have every expectation we will remain good friends long after we have both ended our Senate careers. But I will miss him here, every day. And I will try harder to become half the public servant that he is; because his friendship is an honor, and honors come with responsibilities. God bless him.

I don't think that I've ever heard McCain's voice crack with such emotion.

It was very nice, and not unexpected, for McCain to pay tribute to Feingold, but it was a bit much.

"I don't think he is replaceable"?

Good grief, we don't want a liberal extremist like him in the Senate.

Thankfully, Feingold is being replaced - by Republican Ron Johnson, someone with conservative convictions.

"We couldn't have a better role model"?

WHAT?

Feingold ignored his constituents. He lost touch with the people he was supposed to be serving. Feingold didn't listen.

That's not being a good role model. That's not even being a mediocre role model.

Feingold has convictions. Good for him. Unfortunately, sticking to those convictions wasn't always good for his constituents or the country, or the world for that matter.

McCain was speaking with his heart, not his mind. That's fine at a retirement dinner or a funeral, not when doing the business of the Senate. That calls for reason and sound judgment, something McCain's love letter lacked.

I understand McCain aches because his friend was fired by Wisconsin voters.

I wonder if McCain knows that his "Ode to Feingold" did not reflect reality.