*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).
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Rachel Thomas, the co-founder and CEO of the non-profit Lean In, joined Cheddar amid Women's History Month, to discuss how the organization is taking on issues that continue to impact the workplace through its Circles program. "These are a program that brings women together in small groups, usually 8 to 12, for support, camaraderie, and to learn together," she said. "We also we have a lot of curriculum so women can learn how to navigate workplace biases, how to negotiate with women." Thomas also applauded President Biden's recent call to action on equal pay for women, noting that businesses must do more to be cognizant of inherent gender and racial biases.
Beer brand Heineken recently revealed its foray into the metaverse was something of a joke, but how serious are brands taking the latest craze in general? Cheddar's Alex Vuocolo takes a closer look.
With the highest inflation in 40 years, some retailers say shoppers are reaching their limits. Efforts to charge more for items are being met with new resistance from customers, especially on lower-priced apparel and furniture. Marshal Cohen, the chief retail industry analyst at market researcher NPD Group, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss the latest trends in consumer spending and how the hike in interest rates might impact wallets moving forward. "What's really impacting the consumer: higher prices, less promotions." He also noted other headwinds for the economy on the horizon including skimpier tax refunds for those who took advantage of child credits and student loan repayments possibly restarting.
Caroline Aaron, who plays matriarch Shirley Maisel on Amazon Prime's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," joined Cheddar News to talk about her "thrilling" turn as the character as well as what to expect in Season Five. “It's very exciting actually to be a part of something so iconic. It's New York, it's the 1950s, and it's about women, so it's like all this and heaven, too," she said. "What it's been like to play Shirley is to walk around with your heart on the outside of your body." The award-winning show will be ending with its fifth season.
Catching you up on what you Need to Know on Mar 18, 2022, with updates on the war in Ukraine, President Biden’s meeting with Xi Jinping, Meta removing a deepfake video of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Britney Griner, vaccine updates, and tech news.
