Election Night HQ

by Election Night HQ’s Publisher

This is the first of a series of observations on passages on Worth the Fighting For, the 2002 book written by Senator McCain, with long-time aide Mark Salter:

“…But I have been granted a place, albeit a very small one, in American history, and I have been permitted, warts and all, to spend my entire adult life in the service of my country.  Lucky me.”  - from the Prologue

Senator McCain writes, with typical modesty, about his “very small place in American history”.   Of course, his place in American history is considerably greater, than he describes it in the book.  He has, after all, been (among other things) a war hero, career Navy officer, long-time elected officeholder on Capitol Hill, the co-author of very popular books, and a two-time major presidential candidate. 

But in spite of these considerable imprints which McCain has left on the terrain of American history, over the last few decades, they could become part of a much larger narrative.  They could become the opening and middle chapters of one of the most incredible odysseys ever embarked upon, by a future President of the United States.

If McCain is elected President, his allegedly “very small place” in American history, would be exponentially augmented.  And not just augmented - his life story would immediately enter the American pantheon of legends.  I do not use the word “legend” lightly - but that’s the right word to use.  McCain’s life would not merely seem to be fiction.  It would seem to be legend.  It would sound as if he were a fictional character – a character crafted by a particularly imaginative American storyteller, who wanted to display every aspect of the American character in the boldest, richest, and most vivid colors in the literary palette.

McCain’s biography would be so extraordinary, that it would seem too incredible to actually be true.  But it is true.  And that’s the most magnificent part of the legend - it would be the genuine story of a genuine American.  And that’s the reason why even centuries from now, Americans – and probably not just Americans – would continue to be fascinated by the spellbinding saga of his life.

None of this is to suggest that McCain would be forgotten (or even relegated to his alleged “very small place” in American history), if he is unsuccessful in his bid for the White House.  Far from it - his story is quite well-documented.  There is his own version, also with Salter, in Faith of My Fathers.  There is an almost equally compelling version, offered by Robert Timberg, in John McCain: An American Odyssey, a much shorter adaption of Timberg’s earlier book, The Nightingale’s Song.  (Timberg’s original book had covered the stories of several Annapolis graduates, including McCain; Timberg adapted the sections on McCain and republished them under the American Odyssey title, when McCain embarked upon his 2000 run for President.)  

But Presidents enjoy a level of immortality, which is not granted to other Americans.   And if McCain makes it, the story would soar to new heights.  Don’t deprive posterity from being able to read the story.  Let countless generations of Americans have the same chance that we do, to experience the tale, in all of its grandeur.

You can contact Election Night HQ at publisher@electionnighthq.com.