McCain Should Resign to Ensure Kavanaugh Confirmation [OPINION]

Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) is a celebrated war hero. McCain is a patriot. He should do what is right for his country and resign his seat.

John Sidney McCain III was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986. He has often been described as a maverick. Conservatives in his party have referred to him as a RINO (Republican In Name Only), and have been frustrated by his willingness to compromise with his colleagues on the other side of the aisle. McCain ran for president in 2008, losing to the nation's first black president, Barack Obama.

McCain, who spent several years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, was the target of some stinging remarks by then-candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign, and has been a sharp critic of the Trump Administration. McCain cast the vote that kept Trump from repealing Obamacare.

To say that there is bad blood between Trump and McCain would be an understatement.

McCain, who is 81 years old, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer a year ago. His condition has pretty much confined him to his home in Arizona.

McCain is not expected to be able to travel to Washington in the fall to cast a vote for the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh. With most, if not all, Democrats expected to oppose Kavanaugh and Republicans with only a razor-thin majority in the Senate, McCain must consider what is best for the country and resign.

By resigning, McCain would allow Arizona's Republican Governor Doug Ducey to appoint a replacement, who would deliver a vote for Kavanaugh.

Putting aside his differences with Trump might be asking a lot of McCain, but it is the right thing to do for the country. Judge Kavanaugh is an excellent choice for the Supreme Court and should be confirmed.

Resigning his seat to ensure that Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed would be a selfless final act for Senator McCain. It's something he should seriously consider.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.