--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I defended him [John McCain] in those…" description: "\"I defended him [John McCain] in those hearings when some stupid-ass right-wing idiot accused him of being the Manchurian Candidate, that somehow the Vi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f34/senator-john-kerry-13403_john-mccain_i-defended-him-john-mccain-in-those-hear_2797236.jpg" --- # I defended him \[John McCain\] in those hearings when some… ![“I defended him [John McCain] in those hearings when some stupid-ass right-wing idiot accused him of being the Manchurian Candidate, that somehow the Vietnamese had brainwashed him. This is the most unbelievably callous, degrading, nonsensical piece of crap I've ever heard in my life, coming from…” quote by Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f34/senator-john-kerry-13403_john-mccain_i-defended-him-john-mccain-in-those-hear_2797236.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f34/senator-john-kerry-13403_john-mccain_i-defended-him-john-mccain-in-those-hear_2797236.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f34/senator-john-kerry-13403_john-mccain_i-defended-him-john-mccain-in-those-hear_2797236.jpg) > “I defended him \[John McCain\] in those hearings when some stupid-ass right-wing idiot accused him of being the Manchurian Candidate, that somehow the Vietnamese had brainwashed him. This is the most unbelievably callous, degrading, nonsensical piece of crap I've ever heard in my life, coming from some chicken hawk out there, to hurl at somebody who spent as long as he did being tortured and standing up for his country, and caring about it as much as he did. It's incredible that people would behave like that, absolutely stunning.” [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker condemns a baseless, insulting attack on a veteran, highlighting the cruelty of political smear tactics. **In simple terms:** Someone attacked a veteran with false accusations. Key Takeaway Reject false attacks on veterans. Themes politics integrity respect military media Mood critical concerned defensive Type political ethical When to use this quote - public debate - media coverage - veteran advocacy Key Concepts character assassination political rhetoric ethical leadership Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities do public figures have in defending truth? - How can we hold speakers accountable for harmful rhetoric? A Different Perspective Accusations may be based on misinformation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brainwashed Unbelievably](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brainwashed-unbelievably-3422952/) [Hearings Stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hearings-stupid-3422953/) [Idiot Accused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idiot-accused-3422954/) [John mccain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john-mccain/) [Mccain Hearings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mccain-hearings-3422950/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Vietnam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vietnam/) [Vietnamese Brainwashed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vietnamese-brainwashed-3422951/) ## Related quotes > [I really like John McCain. He's an awesome dude and was a lot of fun when he hosted "SNL." I'd love to see a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/i-really-like-john-mccain-he-s-an-awesome-dude-and-was-a-lot-of-fun/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [I’ve been calling for more troops for over two years, along with John McCain and others subsequent to my saying that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-ve-been-calling-for-more-troops-for-over-two-years-along-with-john/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [It is about something personal and specific, because when the John McCain campaign in 2008 decided to elevate Sarah Palin from total obscurity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/it-is-about-something-personal-and-specific-because-when-the-john/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [John McCain has become the de facto running mate of George W. Bush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/john-mccain-has-become-the-de-facto-running-mate-of-george-w-bush/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [I think the problem with John Bolton is he disagrees with President Trump's foreign policy. He would be closer to John McCain's foreign policy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-the-problem-with-john-bolton-is-he-disagrees-with-president/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I honor, we honor the service of John McCain, and I respect his many accomplishments, even if he chooses to deny mine. My differences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-honor-we-honor-the-service-of-john-mccain-and-i-respect-his-many/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [John McCain is falling down on the job. He has gotten weak. He has gotten old. I do want to wish him a happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-ward/john-mccain-is-falling-down-on-the-job-he-has-gotten-weak-he-has/) [Kelli Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-ward/) > [I feel like John McCain is a really cool guy who is surrounded by idiotic friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-feel-like-john-mccain-is-a-really-cool-guy-who-is-surrounded-by/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [Senator John McCain, who spent over five years in a Vietnamese POW camp, publicly releases 1,000 pages of medical records. Now people are left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/senator-john-mccain-who-spent-over-five-years-in-a-vietnamese-pow/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [John McCain has refused to ever criticize Sarah Palin, to ever admit there was anything wrong about her choice. He has been capital "L"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/john-mccain-has-refused-to-ever-criticize-sarah-palin-to-ever-admit/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [If John McCain were really a war hero he would've won Vietnam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/if-john-mccain-were-really-a-war-hero-he-would-ve-won-vietnam/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/i-would-not-vote-for-john-mccain-under-any-circumstances/) [James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/) > [John McCain is a liar and flip-flopper and panderer and bully and whiner. And it seems to be working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tomasky/john-mccain-is-a-liar-and-flip-flopper-and-panderer-and-bully-and/) [Michael Tomasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tomasky/) > [When the 2008 victory of Barack Obama and the defeat of grumpy old John McCain began looking, um, inevitable, I started fielding inquiries about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perlstein/when-the-2008-victory-of-barack-obama-and-the-defeat-of-grumpy-old/) [Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perlstein/) > [When I interviewed John McCain in 2000 about whether he had taken medication for his anger, I remember thinking, 'Let's see how this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/when-i-interviewed-john-mccain-in-2000-about-whether-he-had-taken/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) ## More by Senator John Kerry > [There can never be any excuse for sacrificing our childrens futures to keep corporate tax loopholes and tax giveaways to millionaires. If we cant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/there-can-never-be-any-excuse-for-sacrificing-our-childrens-futures/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [The American people deserve to know that they're not just watching the administration's spin on their local newscasts -- they're paying for it, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/the-american-people-deserve-to-know-that-they-re-not-just-watching/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [Social Security is truly a test of our values as Americans. Social Security is a fundamental promise that lifts half of our seniors out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/social-security-is-truly-a-test-of-our-values-as-americans-social/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [Were busy exporting Democracy abroad to Afghanistan and Iraq, which is fine, but what we really need to do is a better job at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/were-busy-exporting-democracy-abroad-to-afghanistan-and-iraq-which-is/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [The Senate and the country need Senators of courage who are prepared to make their mark on history by standing with past profiles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/the-senate-and-the-country-need-senators-of-courage-who-are-prepared/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [They are playing politics with this issue, and sending mixed signals to our troops and the enemy. That is irresponsible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/they-are-playing-politics-with-this-issue-and-sending-mixed-signals/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [Just to make certain that I wasn't missing anything, as we see a lot of people running around talking about the basis for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/just-to-make-certain-that-i-wasn-t-missing-anything-as-we-see-a-lot/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [Its a sad day when you have members of Congress who are literally criminals go undisciplined by their colleagues. No wonder people look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/its-a-sad-day-when-you-have-members-of-congress-who-are-literally/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [Its hard to believe that in the greatest democracy in the world, we need legislation to prevent the government from writing and paying for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/its-hard-to-believe-that-in-the-greatest-democracy-in-the-world-we/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [It is impossible to put into words the quiet strength and incredible courage Dana Reeve demonstrated in the way she lived her life. With…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/it-is-impossible-to-put-into-words-the-quiet-strength-and-incredible/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [In this time of war, and in memory of our fallen heroes, we must be mindful to do everything in our power to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/in-this-time-of-war-and-in-memory-of-our-fallen-heroes-we-must-be/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [Its time we framed every question - every issue -- not in terms of whats in it for me, but whats in it for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/its-time-we-framed-every-question-every-issue-not-in-terms-of-whats/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [While we must remain determined to defeat terrorism, it isn't only terrorism we are fighting. It's the beliefs that motivate terrorists. A new ideology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/while-we-must-remain-determined-to-defeat-terrorism-it-isn-t-only/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [When you see Washington consistently turning a blind eye to suffering, dont sit back and apathetically blame indifference. The loudest voices may be delivering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/when-you-see-washington-consistently-turning-a-blind-eye-to-suffering/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [The country and the Congress were misled into war. I regret that we were not given the truth; as I said more than a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/the-country-and-the-congress-were-misled-into-war-i-regret-that-we/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) [Explore all 50 Senator John Kerry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) ## More John mccain quotes > [I really like John McCain. He's an awesome dude and was a lot of fun when he hosted "SNL." I'd love to see a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/i-really-like-john-mccain-he-s-an-awesome-dude-and-was-a-lot-of-fun/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [When the 2008 victory of Barack Obama and the defeat of grumpy old John McCain began looking, um, inevitable, I started fielding inquiries about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perlstein/when-the-2008-victory-of-barack-obama-and-the-defeat-of-grumpy-old/) [Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perlstein/) > [John McCain is a liar and flip-flopper and panderer and bully and whiner. And it seems to be working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tomasky/john-mccain-is-a-liar-and-flip-flopper-and-panderer-and-bully-and/) [Michael Tomasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tomasky/) > [I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/i-would-not-vote-for-john-mccain-under-any-circumstances/) [James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/) > [If John McCain were really a war hero he would've won Vietnam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/if-john-mccain-were-really-a-war-hero-he-would-ve-won-vietnam/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [John McCain has refused to ever criticize Sarah Palin, to ever admit there was anything wrong about her choice. He has been capital "L"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/john-mccain-has-refused-to-ever-criticize-sarah-palin-to-ever-admit/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [Senator John McCain, who spent over five years in a Vietnamese POW camp, publicly releases 1,000 pages of medical records. Now people are left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/senator-john-mccain-who-spent-over-five-years-in-a-vietnamese-pow/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [I feel like John McCain is a really cool guy who is surrounded by idiotic friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-feel-like-john-mccain-is-a-really-cool-guy-who-is-surrounded-by/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [John McCain is falling down on the job. He has gotten weak. He has gotten old. I do want to wish him a happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-ward/john-mccain-is-falling-down-on-the-job-he-has-gotten-weak-he-has/) [Kelli Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-ward/) > [I honor, we honor the service of John McCain, and I respect his many accomplishments, even if he chooses to deny mine. My differences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-honor-we-honor-the-service-of-john-mccain-and-i-respect-his-many/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I think the problem with John Bolton is he disagrees with President Trump's foreign policy. He would be closer to John McCain's foreign policy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-the-problem-with-john-bolton-is-he-disagrees-with-president/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [John McCain has become the de facto running mate of George W. Bush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/john-mccain-has-become-the-de-facto-running-mate-of-george-w-bush/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [It is about something personal and specific, because when the John McCain campaign in 2008 decided to elevate Sarah Palin from total obscurity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/it-is-about-something-personal-and-specific-because-when-the-john/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I’ve been calling for more troops for over two years, along with John McCain and others subsequent to my saying that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-ve-been-calling-for-more-troops-for-over-two-years-along-with-john/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [When I interviewed John McCain in 2000 about whether he had taken medication for his anger, I remember thinking, 'Let's see how this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/when-i-interviewed-john-mccain-in-2000-about-whether-he-had-taken/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) [Browse all 176 John mccain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john-mccain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I defended him [John McCain] in those hearings when some stupid-ass right-wing idiot accused him of being the Manchurian Candidate, that somehow the Vietnamese had brainwashed him. This is the most unbelievably callous, degrading, nonsensical piece of crap I've ever heard in my life, coming from some chicken hawk out there, to hurl at somebody who spent as long as he did being tortured and standing up for his country, and caring about it as much as he did. 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