Last updated on September 13th, 2018 at 04:06 am
Barack Obama lifted the nation up on Saturday with a message of unity that the country has desperately needed – not just after the death of American hero John McCain, but after a year and a half of Donald Trump‘s toxic politics.
The 44th president looked back fondly on the times he and McCain sparred politically, and he made the crowd at the National Cathedral laugh.
Barack Obama delivers a touching tribute to McCain at the National Cathedral. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/Nu7xBmDMVW
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— PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) September 1, 2018
He also spoke about how John McCain was a firm believer in democracy, the truth and the freedom of the press – all of which are under attack in the Trump era.
Obama stands up for democracy, the truth a free press at John McCain’s memorial service. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/oVhReFcyRM
— PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) September 1, 2018
Obama concluded his speech by talking about how “small” and “petty” politics has become in recent years. Obama said the best way to honor McCain is for us to change that and “be better.”
Obama says the best way to honor John McCain is to change the “mean” and “small” politics that now consumes America. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/q4Q9SXsZC0
— PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) September 1, 2018
Meanwhile, Trump is throwing a tantrum on Twitter
Once again, Barack Obama rose to the occasion to deliver a message of hope that America has desperately needed in the Trump era.
And to deepen the contrast between the former president and the one we’re saddled with now, Donald Trump was back home tweeting conspiracy theories and whining about NAFTA during McCain’s funeral.
When America loses a hero like John McCain, it falls on the President of the United States to offer a message of unity to honor that loss. In the absence of that type of leader, Barack Obama gladly took that role. He lifted up the nation in the process.
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Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
