Commentary: McCain’s passing is an echo of the Reagan era

Intriguing that the passing of Sen. John McCain, a Reagan Republican, feels a bit like the passing of Ronald Reagan in tone and message.

Reagan’s passing was scripted perfectly and delivered a classic final bow for the former president. It seems McCain understood the moment and has taken a page from that playbook, without cynicism, but with purpose.

McCain’s language, image, story and writings, spread over this week on television and social media, convey an optimism about the country, and for a number of days the nation will be exposed to valuable words about the importance of civic life and civil society.

As with Reagan, it seems this part of McCain’s journey has been well thought out and, while one can look at aspects of his political career and take issue with positions or temperament, the core messages in his writings, speeches about NATO and national security, America’s role in the world and the impact its leaders’ comportment and judgment have on matters at home and far beyond our borders are sound.

His story will be the story of the week, bookended by his passing last Saturday evening and his statement to the country, against what will be most likely an extraordinary display of political and social theater with eulogies by the Republican and Democratic victors over his presidential ambitions at the National Cathedral this Saturday.

One of his staff I saw quoted said he hoped the country would take something from what they would hear and see about McCain this week, that it would provide an example of how political leadership, even a cranky one now and then, can represent what is good about the country to ourselves and the world; that McCain would set an example for future leaders on how to approach political life, and the necessary engagement and personal honor required of true statesmen.

I did not always agree with McCain. I certainly didn’t approve of his selection of Sarah Palin for a running mate. (Nor did I particularly like the idea of Joseph Lieberman, either.) I’m glad McCain voted to protect the Affordable Care Act; I’m disappointed he approved the corporate tax cut with no fiscal guardrails in place. But he was representing the people of Arizona, not America.

Politicians make mistakes; staff make mistakes. Life happens in the political fishbowl in ways few fully appreciate unless they dive into the water. It’s one of the aspects of politics that I find so compelling. At this point the warts fade away; they are to be examined later by historians who can put McCain’s history into context with the march of time. For now, his core message of coming together, his remarks affirming President Barack Obama after his defeat, his affirmation of the world America built after World War II and the important alliances that were forged, and his call for civil and vigorous engagement over ideas and viewpoints, not to score points, but to make our ideas stronger, are lessons we need to study and think about carefully.

I have several friends who worked for McCain, wonderful people who are very sad and proud of the opportunity they had to be part of his journey. We are lucky when we get to work for the good ones, and he was lucky to have some very fine people working for him and the people of Arizona, and his campaigns.

So this week I will sit back and read, and listen to the speeches and comments, and remembrances of McCain, some we already know well. I want to hear what the political rivals who faced him on a ballot say about this man and his importance to our democratic system. In his passing, McCain has been speaking to the future, as he did so often. I hope we continue to hear a similar focus from others in the days ahead, because I think that is what the senator would truly want.

Raised in Utah, Scott Williams is founder of ForeFront Strategies, a Washington, D.C., consulting firm. From 1989 to 1994 he served as press secretary to Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., and the Senate Armed Services Committee.