Barack Obama contrasts John McCain with Trump at Arizona rally

Former President Barack Obama spoke at a rally in Tucson, Arizona, praising the late Senator John McCain for his values and character. Obama highlighted McCain’s willingness to respectfully engage with political opponents and defend him during the 2008 election. He criticized former President Donald Trump for disregarding these values and making disrespectful comments about McCain’s military service. Trump’s negative remarks about McCain led to the emergence of a new voting bloc in Arizona known as “McCain Republicans.” Vice President Kamala Harris has also courted this group by praising McCain’s actions in saving the Affordable Care Act. Obama and Harris both emphasized McCain’s important role in keeping the ACA intact despite efforts to repeal it during Trump’s presidency.