1. A John McCain memory: I had the honor and pleasure of hosting @SenJohnMcCain on numerous visits to Israel. He was always courteous, well-informed, funny, and squarely focused on promoting America's interests, including in its close bilateral relationship with Israel. 
2. Although I worked for an Administration he often didn't care for, he always treated me with the utmost respect. But I also observed McCain up close as a Senate staffer for 10 years, and my favorite recollection of him comes from those years.
3. In December 1995, as the Bosnia civil war was grinding on, Pres Clinton deployed US troops to stabilize the situation &help end the war. McCain, along with Sen. Maj. Ldr Bob Dole, was among a small group of Senators who had been calling for US support for the Bosnian Muslims.
4. But Clinton was highly unpopular with the Senate GOP. Most of them opposed his decision to deploy US troops to the Balkans. During the Senate debate on supporting the deployment, they voiced harsh criticism of the decision and a majority of Repub Senators would not support it.
5. But McCain would have none of it. Though uncomfortable with sending ground troops (he favored other measures), he argued that since the decision had been made by the President (who had the authority), now it was important to get the troops the support they needed to succeed.
6. Even more admirably, he actively asserted his shared responsibility for the decision. "The President will be accountable to the families of any American soldier who dies in service to his country in Bosnia. He will have to answer for their loss. But so will I. So will I."
7. "So will I." I was on the Senate floor when I heard him say and repeat those words. It brought a lump to my throat and sent shivers up my spine. You can read his entire speech here. mccain.senate.gov/public/index.c…
8. That taking his share of responsibility for a critical national security decision, even one he had issues with, was one of his finest moments in the Senate. It showed his patriotism, maturity, responsibility, & decency, all far more important to him than any partisan edge.
9. He made his share of mistakes, as he freely admitted. But our country will miss his leadership, elevation of principle over party, and willingness to bear responsibility for his decisions. We can only hope that many other leaders will learn from and emulate his example. End.
