I was saddened by the news of Arizona Sen. John McCain’s death this weekend. Over the years, our paths crossed many times. We were in the same battles, sometimes on the same side, but to my great consternation, more often on opposite sides.

There is no need today, nor would it be appropriate, to revisit that history. The senator has finished this race and departed this “veil of tears.” I pray for him and his family as they grieve.

Over the years, I have often been asked about John McCain’s faith. In his years at the “Hanoi Hilton” POW camp, McCain and other prisoners often prayed together. In his book Faith of My Fathers, McCain recounts how one night when his body was contorted and bound by his captors, hanging from a ceiling board, a Vietnamese guard came to him.

Without speaking a word, he loosened the ropes providing McCain some relief. He did not see the guard again until Christmas Day when McCain saw him during the five minutes the prisoners were allowed to be outside. The senator recounted the story in his book, writing:

“I was standing in the dirt courtyard when I saw him approach me. He walked up and stood silently next to me. Again he didn’t smile or look at me. He just stared at the ground in front of us. After a few moments had passed he rather nonchalantly used his sandaled foot to draw a cross in the dirt. We both stood wordlessly looking at the cross until, after a minute or two, he rubbed it out and walked away.

"I saw my good Samaritan often after the Christmas when we venerated the cross together. But he never said a word to me nor gave the slightest signal that he acknowledged my humanity.”

I hope Sen. McCain is with the God of Abraham, his pain and suffering gone. May he rest in peace.

When news broke of McCain’s passing, President Trump ordered the White House flags lowered to half-staff, and tweeted, “My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants to rename the Russell Senate Office Building after John McCain. The building is currently named after Georgia Democrat Richard Russell, a segregationist who opposed the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In a statement, Sen. Schumer said:

“[McCain’s] dedication to his country and the military were unsurpassed… Nothing will overcome the loss of Senator McCain, but so that generations remember him I will be introducing a resolution to rename the Russell building after him.”

On Wednesday, McCain will lie in state at the Arizona state Capitol. He will then lie in state in the U.S. Capitol on Friday. A memorial service will be held at the National Cathedral on Saturday. The senator will be buried Sunday at the U.S. Naval Academy.

An announcement from Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) on Sen. McCain’s successor is not expected until next week at the earliest. Whomever Ducey selects will serve until a special election in 2020.

More Threats

New Mexico prosecutors released additional information about the extremist Muslims who were arrested at a remote compound earlier this month. In addition to reportedly training children to carry out school shootings, Jany Leveille and Siraj Ibn Wahhaj plotted to attack Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

Among the documents seized from the compound was a handwritten outline entitled, “Phases of a terrorist attack.”

In addition, the children told police that Leveille “intended to confront ‘corrupt’ institutions or individuals … and reveal the ‘truth.’” If they were not persuaded by her “truth,” she would then “signal Siraj Wahhaj to ‘shoot or otherwise attack the non-believer.’”

Prosecutors released these new details because they are trying to persuade Judge Sarah Backus to reconsider her decision to release several members of the compound on bail.

In her order, Judge Backus seemed most concerned with being politically correct. She wrote:

“The defendants are apparently of the Muslim faith… The State apparently expected the court to take the individuals’ faith into account… The state alleges there was a big plan afoot but the state has not shown to my satisfaction by clear and convincing evidence what in fact that plan was. The state wants me to make a leap and it’s a large leap.”

Her remarks once again demonstrate the corrosive effects of political correctness and the Left’s ability to control a narrative. Reasonable people are simply expected to ignore the reality of the post-9/11 world we live in — as if Presbyterians are just as likely to fly planes into buildings or plot attacks on hospitals.

It also explains in some small way why Donald Trump won the election. He spoke very directly about limiting immigration from nations that are hotbeds of Islamic extremism until we can figure out a better vetting system. He has been clear about the dangers facing the country, while so many in leadership are afraid to say anything.

Stable Ratings

The latest Wall Street Journal/NBC poll shows President Trump’s approval rating is stable after a rocky week. He polled at 46% prior to the Manafort/Cohen news and at 44% afterwards. Given the poll’s margin of error, it seems last week’s bombshells had virtually no impact at all on public opinion.

Among self-described Republicans, Trump has 90% support. Among other things, that suggests the #NeverTrump movement would have very little financial costs if it wanted to hold a convention. It could do it in a broom closet because there are apparently so few Never-Trumpers left.

Meanwhile, stocks are soaring today on news from multiple sources that a renegotiated NAFTA trade deal will be announced later this afternoon. This morning, Trump tweeted, “A big deal looking good with Mexico!”