*By Conor White and Kate Gill* After Senator John McCain died from cancer this past weekend, many in Washington are at a loss, said Washington Examiner columnist Phil Wegmann. "Senators are looking around and thinking, 'This is a huge void we have to fill,'" Wegmann said Monday in an interview on Cheddar. Since the Republican Senator's death, support for his principled, bipartisan approach has been near-universal. And Wegmann doesn't think McCain's passing will stop him from shaping policy, if only symbolically. "One thing that I think he will be remembered for is the way he pushed back on the current route of the Republican party," Wegmann said. "That continues today even in his death, as you see Donald Trump in the White House refusing to lower the flags at the presidential residence to half-mast, and I think that is very emblematic of the back and forth between these two men." Trump also incited backlash for reportedly refusing to call McCain a hero in his official statement about the Senator's death ー though a release drafted by his team included that sentiment. McCain was held captive during the Vietnam War while serving in the U.S. Navy, and during the presidential campaign in 2015, Trump infamously dismissed the incident, saying, "He’s not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured." Trump finally reversed his stance in a new statement Monday evening, writing, “Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country.” Now the question of the Arizona Senator's seat remains. It's unclear, Wegmann said, if the state's Governor Anthony Ducey will stay the McCain course of bipartisanship or appoint a staunch conservative. "Should Ducey appoint someone who is more in the pro-President Trump mold, someone who is going to be a loyal foot soldier?" Wegmann asked. "Or is he going to try and find someone with the same sort of 'Maverick' sensibilities that McCain was famous for?" McCain was among few Republicans willing to criticize Trump. His absence may mean less opposition for Trump in the Senate, Wegmann said. "Think about all the conservative all-stars of the past ー guys like Ted Cruz, Mike Lee ー even they're hesitant to call out the president, so I think there's going to be a lot less criticism of the president from his right flank coming out of the Senate." For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/examining-john-mccains-legacy).

Share:
More In Culture
Heightening Awareness Around Diabetes Among Minorities
Dr. Felippe Marcondes, physician and research fellow at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, discusses why diabetes is more prevalent in minority communities and the technology being used to manage the disease. 
Father and Son Dynamic Duo 'Crunch' It Up On TikTok
If you haven't heard of the popular father and son dynamic duo now is your time to get into some cuteness overload. Jeff and Jordan of the "CrunchBros" can be found on TikTok and Youtube filling up their bellies with some tasty foods. To spice things up a bit the duo uses an ASMR with a mukbang approach which keeps you glued to the screen. TikTok content creators Jeff and Jordan of the "CrunchBros", joined Cheddar to discuss more.
'Eternals' Premieres as Marvel's Most Diverse Cast Ever
Many are celebrating Marvel's 'Eternals,' the most diverse film the company has ever made. CAPE has teamed up with other nonprofits to launch the #oneopen campaign, tied to the Eternals, which aims to support and amplify films led by diverse talent. Michelle Sugihara, the Executive Director of CAPE, joined Cheddar to discuss.
'The Good Liars' Release New Mockumentary 'The Supporters'
'The Good Liars' are Jason Selvig and Davram Stiefler, a comedy duo that's been shaking up the political world for years. They're out with a new mockumentary, 'The Supporters,' following the 2020 election. Jason Selvig & Davram Stiefler, Stunt Comedians and creators of 'The Good Liars' joined Cheddar News to discuss.
Challenging Business and Legal Environment Prompts Yahoo To Pull Out Of China
Yahoo has officially pulled out of China after its two-decade relationship with the mainland. This comes as a result of China's tech crackdown which has been impacting several sectors. As of November 1st, the country has also implemented one of the strictest data privacy laws. Tech Reporter at MarketWatch Jon Swartz joined Cheddar to discuss more.
'SQUID GAME' Crypto Developers Walk Off With $3.3 Million
A recent token called 'SQUID' which was developed after the Netflix series Squid Games has now cost several investors to lose their investments. According to Gizmodo, the developers have now walked off with $3.3 Million thanks to them not allowing buyers to sell any of their coins. The question now is: How can one protect themselves from being caught up in any crypto scams? The Host of the O Show Wendy O, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Everything You Need to Know About Child Covid-19 Vaccines
A CDC advisory committee as unanimously voted to recommend the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11. Dr. Amesh Adalja, Infectious Disease Specialist and Senior Scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, joined Cheddar News to discuss.
Keys to Making a Successful Career Jump; Elevating Disability Pride
On this episode of ChedHER: Author of 'JUMP: Dare to Do What Scares You in Business and Life,' breaks down the different types of career 'jumps' out there, and keys to making a career change a success; Head of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs at JPMorgan Chase discusses how she's forging a path forward for the API community; CEO and Founder of Diversability explains how she's building up a global movement to rebrand disability through the power of community.
Load More