words that ring true certainly as we now hear rick davis, mccain's former campaign manager, read the arizona senator's final words to the nation. >> we argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. but we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. if only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country, we will get through these challenging times. we will come through them stronger than before. we always do. >> stronger than before. abby philip is outfront live tonight at the white house. abby, what more are you learning about the president's statement tonight on mccain and how it came about after two days? >> reporter: well, after a day of silence, the president as you just played was asked five times today to weigh in on john mccain and refused to do so, but finally after enormous pressure issued that statement, a very brief statement recognizing john mccain's service. ironically something the president himself has called into question. but now just moments ago

up next i will talk to rick davis. man who ran mccain's two presidential campaign. >> i loved my life, all of it. i have had experiences, adventures, friendships, enough for 10 lifetimes and i'm so thankful. (man) managing my type 2 diabetes wasn't my top priority. until i held her. i found my tresiba® reason. now i'm doing more to lower my a1c. i take tresiba® once a day. tresiba® controls blood sugar for 24 hours for powerful a1c reduction. (woman) we'd been counting down to his retirement. it was our tresiba® reason. he needs insulin to control his high blood sugar and, at his age, he's at greater risk for low blood sugar. tresiba® releases slow and steady and works all day and night like the body's insulin. (vo) tresiba® is a long-acting insulin used to control high blood sugar in adults with diabetes. don't use tresiba® to treat diabetic ketoacidosis, during episodes of low blood sugar, or if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. don't share needles or insulin pens. don't reuse needles. the most common side

those comments, words from rick davis reading senator mccain's own words were heartfelt. it was clearly difficult for him to get them out, but talk to me about the lasting message that mccain wanted to -- lasting mark mccain wanted to leave on the country and his final message. >> in some case, katy, the grave diagnosis gave him a chance to sort of plan his own farewell, which is something that given the fact we have just heard his own words, is a gift in the sense that he is able to try to extend beyond his life of service with a message that others may look to, others may take up. we'll see how it is received over time. one of the things that was also a part of john mccain's final words was this sentence. we weaken our grateness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries. and so what was really striking here today, rick davis who has -- he made the hotel california reference. you have to be of a certain age and have liked the eagles to know how powerful that is, in the building here behind me, which is the state capitol, there were veterans of campaigns past,

rick davis sharing that letter with us and who better to dissect what we just heard than andy carr. he of course is the chief of staff under george w. bush and former chief of staff in the clinton's white house. i heard a lot of things there as senator mccain echoing sentiments from his memoirs and interviews we have heard and talking about how luck ky he wa and describing himself as the luckiest man on earth and admitting he got some regrets but would not trade his life. towards the end, it would seen as if mccain was talking about the current state of affairs in our country to a certain extent. is that what you heard? >> senator mccain is raising our conscious. it is a call to recognize that we have responsibilities as americans, we proudly are apart of a democracy where everyone is equal, everyone has an opinion. we like to make sure that everyone's opinion is welcomed and respected and debated but recognized ultimately we are one standing together. we are also a great example of the rest of the world. john mccain helped to make sure that the world saw how important democracy is.

back in phoenix, mccain's final message for the american people read aloud by his long-time aide rick davis. >> we weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with triable rivalries that have sewn hatred, violence in all corners of the globe. we weaken it when we hide behind walls rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been. do not dispair of our present difficulties. we believe always in the promise and greatness of america because nothing is inevitable here. americans never quit. we never surrender. we never hide from history. we make history. farewell fellow americans. god bless you and god bless america. >> now president trump announced monday that vice president pence will make remarks at mccain's memorial at the capitol on friday. this after a source mccain did not want the president to attend. a chief of staff john kelly, defense secretary jim mattis and national security adviser john bolton will represent the administration at mccain's funeral on sunday. >> thank you very much

trade a day of my life in good or bad times for the best day of anybody else's. >> i spoke with rick davisime ago. rick, we know senator mccain was a close friend, and we are sorry for your loss, and we could hear and feel the emotion during the remarks you gave yesterday. what was it like reading those moving words? >> well, a combination of challenge of trying to do justice to john's final remarks and try to actually get a breath. it was very nerve-racking. but i was really inspired by john and the family and their willingness to want me to have that moment to communicate to the public john's remarks. so i knew i couldn't let him down, and i'm quite certain he would have given me a very hard time and talked about what a choker i was. so i'll beat myself up for a little while. but i'm glad -- i'm glad the public has his last thoughts, and i hope people spend a little time on them. i hope it wasn't just a one and done. and i think that's what he really wanted. yep. >> we've all spent time thinking about those words and listening to them. both things can be true. he would have made fun of y

. >> the dying wish of senator john mccain, read aloud today by his long-time aide rick davis. it stands in stark contrast to president trump's handling of the long-serving republican's death this weekend. the white house flag lowered to half staff in mccain's honor late on saturday but raised again just over 24 hours later after public outrage the president did order that flag lowered once again. and then today -- >> mr. president, any thoughts on john mccain? mr. president, any thoughts on john mccain? >> reporter: abc news's jon karl tried to get the president to say something, anything about mccain. >> do you believe john mccain was a hero, sir? why won't you say anything about john mccain? >> reporter: finally this tonight. >> we very much appreciate everything that senator mccain has done for our country. so thank you very much. >> reporter: the senator was a frequent target for trump, even suggesting mccain wasn't a war hero because he was captured by the north vietnamese. >> i like people that weren't captured. okay? i have to tell you. >> reporter: for now mccain's sea

. >> an emotional moment as mccain's family spokesman rick davis reads a letter the senator wanted read after his death. >> i lived and died a proud american. do not despair of our present difficulties. test approximate trump speaking publicly about senator john mccain's death. >> we very much appreciate everything that senator mccain has done for our country. thank you very much. >> new information about the jacksonville gunman who opened fire in a gaming tournament. >> the shooter was hospitalized twice for mental illness. >> the motive in this case still remains under investigation. >> crisis in the catholic church. >> pope francis is remaining silent as a former archbishop calls on him to resign. >> he claims the pontiff knew about allegations of sex abuse by a prominent u.s. cardinal for years but didn't do anything about it. >> is everybody out? >> a texas officer runs into a burning building to save a family of seven. >> they were all able to escape unharmed. >> on liberty island a hazardous materials situation. >> a officials say a construction mishap sparked a fire and that for

we'll speak with rick davis about the senator's legacy. >>> pope francis says he won't say a word about claims he knew years ago against the former arch bishop of washington. it comes as the retired ambassador of the u.s. was calling on francis to step down. they come as the pope wrapped up a closely watched visit to ireland. >> reporter: it marked the end of a trip overshadowed by church scandal. pope francis asked the crowd of faithful for forgiveness saying the church failed to find justice and truth for abuse victims. >> truth, justice, love. >> reporter: elsewhere in the city, hundreds protests what they called the church's lack of action, but the most explosive criticism launched at the pope came from inside his own ranks. sunday morning, the vatican's former ambassador to the u.s. claimed the pope knew disgraced washington cardinal was guilty of sexual abuse but still used him as an adviser. in a bombshell 11-page letter, he calls on pope francis to set an example for cardinals and bishops that covered up mccarrick's abuses and re-sign with all of them. he says he warned them in

statement that was rick davis, former campaign manager for senator mccain.t a remarkable statement to hear of a few final words from the senator here just after his passing. in those words were remarkable. he called himself the luckiest person. let's bring in our power panel. guy benson, and jessica tarlov, fox news contributor. thanks for being here today. i want to start with you, guys. i had a chance to speak with jessica sauer. by listening to that remarkable letter to americans, which was something he was so proud of themselves, just being an american. >> very powerful. you can sort of picture a movie of his whole life to his country with about a year's worth worth of notice, with the awareness that his time was coming soon, sitting down drafting a letter to that country and that's what that was. rick davis could barely get through reading it and it was a very powerful. it was very emotional. i was struck by the gratitude big and small, personal and national. i was struck by mccain's appeal to our highest ideals, a really robust case for american except

god bless you, and god bless america. >> that was rick davis earlier today.e this evening, the president did speak briefly about senator mccain. joining us now from the white house, cnn's jim acosta. and jim, the president just made his first public out loud comments about the passing of senator mccain. what did he say? >> that's right, john. it turns out the sixth time was the charm, and this was unprompted. reporters tried all day long. i was one of those reporters. i tried to ask a question at that fifth photo opportunity when the president did not respond. but later this evening, as you pointed out just a few moments ago, he was having dinner with evangelical leaders at the white house, and the white house pool as we call it, they were in the room and the president going through his remarks for evening did make a passing reference of respect to john mccain. here's what he had to say. >> also, our hearts and players are going to the family of senator john mccain. kit be a lot of activity over the next number of days. and we have very much appreciated every

senator mccain had one final message for americans in a letter read by his long time aide rick davis. to connect our country rather than focus on divisions. >> we weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries which sown resentment and hate and violence in all of the corners of the globe. we weaken it when we hide behind walls rather than tear it down. when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been. do know despair in the difficulties. -- do not despair in the difficulties. we believe always in the promise and greatness of america. because nothing is inevitable here. americans never quit. we never surrender. we never hide from history. we make history. >> mccain said he lived a rewarding life and would not trade a single day, not often the ones of extraordinary hardship. >> no doubt the hardest of the hardships is the five and a half years held captive at the hanoi hilton in vietnam. his time as prisoner of war shaped his life and legacy. we have ivan watson live at hanoi hilton. iv ivan,

and then in his concession speech -- in the remarks that rick davis read today that he wrote to have talks about what an honor it was to be able to concede, to acknowledge that there are things that are not worth doing even if that might give you a leg up whether it is in a day, in a week, in a campaign, in a lifetime of politics. he spoke eloquently about his unwillingness to speak out in taking the confederate flag down in south carolina. he spoke about the fact that he wrote a letter when he was in the north vietnam prison, a confession that he wished he had done -- he spoke eloquently about the times in which he didn't do the right thing. again, i do still think there is a difference between winning and losing and right and wrong. those are not synonymous. our current president views them as such. we should not fall to that trap. >> i think part of the reason why donald trump hated john mccain so much is because at some level john mccain made him feel inadequate. at some level i think donald trump realizes that john mccain was simply a superior human being. he exemplified virtues

leader composed a final message to his fellow americans delivered today by his long time aide, rick davis. >> 10 years ago i had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. i want to end my farewell to you with heart felt faith in americans that i felt so powerfully that evening. i feel it powerfully still. do not despair of our present difficulties. we believe always in the promise and greatness of america. because nothing is inevitable here. americans never quit. we never surrender. we never hide from history. we make history. farewell, fellow americans. god bless you and god mess america. . >> john mccain, a statesman and an american hero. president trump finally speaking out saying our hearts and prayers are with john mccain's family and that we appreciate everything senator mccain has done for the country. i will bring in abby phillips, cnn politics reporter and global affairs analyst, max boot. good evening. what's wrong with this man? >> that's a great question, don. to paraphrase winston churchill, donald trump occasionally sometimes does the right thing, but on

his message read aloud by his longtime friend and aid rick davis. >> we weaken when we hide behind wallsther than tear them down. when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been. >> joining me to discuss this is john shadding. first your reaction to that extraordinary moment to hear senator mccain's final message to the nation. what stood out to you the most? >> i think this is a time to recognize an american hero. if we want this country to be better, if we want it to achieve a kind of higher calling, as senator mccain said in those final words, then we need to recognize american heroes. john mccain was certainly an american hero. he was an american icon. he is a gentleman who by whatever measure, whether during his military service or during his congressional career, he served his country honorably. he called on others to a higher purpose just as he did there in the final words. i think we ought to be focusing on that kind of person to inspire americans and particularly young people to come and serve themselves. he ex

esto fue leÍdo entre lÁgrimas por su amigo, rick davis.za cuando nos escondemos detrÁs de los muros en lugar de derribarlos". a raÍz de la muerte de senador mccain se vino una ola de crÍticas al presidente durante al que no se habÍa pronunciado despuÉs de la muerte del senador, un hÉroe de guerra y que ordenÓ en ese momento que las banderas no estuvieron ondeando a mitad de asta. borja: sigue este recordatorio al senador john mccain y el lugar donde estuvo por muchos aÑos el senado, recordÓ la notable ausencia de mccain, cuyo escritorio lucÍa un manto negro como seÑal de luto y un florero con decenas morosaria Á capitolio este prÓximo viernes. carolina: el presidente donald trump no ha sido invitado por mismo mccain al funeral. se espera que el vicepresidente mike pence sea parte de los homenajes del senador mccain durante la semana. ahora con el presidente trump aparece bastante ocupado esta maÑana. ataco a la prensa diciendo que las bÚsquedas en google sÓlo dejan ver medios que publicar noticias falsas sobre Él. el mandatario dice que el

davis will be a paul bearer at mccain's funeral in washington saturday. he joins us now. rickignant. what was it like to deliver those final words from senator john mccain? >> well, it was a real honor that the family had asked me to do this. it was a beautiful message by the senator. it was a great opportunity to maybe try to use his words to frame what he hope is an on going look at his life and his message to the american people to try and create some confidence that the future is still a very positive place for us. >> can you tell us why that was so important to him? why did he want you to deliver the words only after his death? >> i think he thought that there may be a period of time where he isn't active in public life. as did turn out to be true and he wanted to ensure that around the time of his passing that there was a discussion about his views and not just his life but why he led his life the way he did and the essence of that message embodied his life and when you're john mccain, why not put in the your own words? it's actually a classic kind of thing that is uniqu

. >>> rick davis, who served as john mccain's campaign manager and long-time aide is speaking out about arrangements for the senator right now. i briefly wanting to listen in. >> cindy mccain is under consideration to fill the senate seat. can you talk about that at all? >> no, i'm not going to address that at all. yes, ma'am. >> i'm with the local abc station. along with vein, let me ask you this. has the senator talked about what kind of person he hopes comes after him in serving arizona in the u.s. senate? >> you know, i think throughout the years he would -- he would contemplate what a succession would look like. i think he had a different plan in mind in those days. i think he was looking forward to retiring after this last term of office and enjoying that back porch in sedona. but it's hard to say. you know, he's always been someone who has encouraged participation in politics, especially in the republican party with minorities, women. i think a hispanic woman probably would have been his pick for a successor if he had lived long enough to do the opportunity. but it's just too sad

rick davis on cnn sharing the war hero's final display of bravery. >> i saw the progression of the disease and what it did to his body. his spirit and his mind stayed strong to the end. he was really an inspiration to us. >> reporter: ahead of this, the first of several days of services honoring mccain. close friend and colleague senator lindsey graham urging a continuation of mccain's legacy. >> if you want to help the country be more like john mccain. i believe there is a little john mccain in all of us. and the little of john mccain practiced by a lot of people can make this a really great nation. >> reporter: there will be a memorial service here in phoenix tomorrow before his body is brought to washington, d.c. for two more days of ceremonies celebrating the late senator's life. marcy gonzalez abc news, phoenix. >>> a bay area catholic leader and mccain family friend delivered the invocation. >> let these tears bring blooms in the desert he loved in the country he served and in all our hearts, amen. our husband. >> thfather reese met senator mccain when he worked in phoenix as the hea

we were just inside and the family's spokesman rick davis read out loud a letter that the senator had left behind, some final reflections to be read after his passing. here's part of what he left behind. >> thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. i've tried to serve our country honorably. i have made mistakes, but i hope my love for america will be weighed favorably against them. i've often observed that i am the luckiest person on earth. i feel that way even now, as i prepare for the end of my life. i have loved my life, all of it. reporter: we are getting more details about how the senator will be celebrated for his lifetime of service and sacrifice to our nation. he will lie in state here at the arizona state capitol on wednesday where arizonans get their chance to pay respects. it will stay open all day and all night as long as people are waiting in line to say thank you and good-bye to a man who has carried the heartbeat of this state with him. his friend and colleague senator jeff

this morning, in a letter read by long-time aide rick davis, mccain encouraged americans to unite around the ideals that connect them, rather than focus on divisions. and in a pretty clear rebuke on the president, mccain asked americans to tear down walls rather than build them. >> let's bring in michael bender, the white house reporter for the "wall street journal" who broke the story about the president's apparent disgust with the tv coverage of senator mccain's death and his change over to praising him. mike, thanks so much for being here. so, let's talk about the chronology of how this all happened. the president started the day yesterday. it sounds like pretty dug in that he didn't want to say anything particularly nice about john mccain. then what happened? >> yeah, that's right. it was the second day that white house officials were trying to urge him to say some kind words about former senator mccain and to sign this proclamation that would keep the flags lowered for more than just the two days that are required under the flag code. and then the -- as you mentioned earlier, the pr

laura: rick davis there. for more on senator mccndn's lifeegacy, i'm joined by a u.s. diplomat who served as the second of director of the mccain institute. how will you personally remember john mccain? >> john mccain was someone who always stood up for the right thing to matter how hard it w, no matter what he faced in doing so, he wasck q to judgment and he knew the right judgment and he just went after it. roura: what did the tributes coming in from aund the world tell us about how he was feared? k-- viewed? kurt: i think that is ltraordinary. i travel around the world, and people feel as if john mccain meant something to them personally. they had some kind of personal story about how what he did affected them in their country. he was very fond ofsu georgia, orted their independence and freedom. they had a candlelight v sil in the maare overnight when he passed on to liveesotten so manyges from people in the baltic states, ukraine, nato headquarters, really all over, people weighing in with how much he meant to them. laura: he was such an eloquent spokesman for amer

the job fell to former campaign manager rick davis. >> do not despair of our present difficulties, weieve always in the promise and greatness of america. because nothing is inevitable here. americans never quit, we never surrender, we never hide from history, we make history. >> mccain will bring washington together even in his death. he personally requested former presidents george w. bush and barack obama speak at his funeral. president trump was asked by mccain's family not to attend. allen martin, kpix5. >>> tonight a video game company is cancelling some upcoming events after a mass shooting at a tournament in jacksonville, florida. electronic arts based in redwood city says in a statement we have made a decision to cancel our three remaining madden classic qualifier events while we run a comprehensive review of safety protocols for competitors and spectators. the company's ceo adds this is the first time we have had to confront something like this as an organization and i believe the first time our gaming community has dealt with a tragedy of this nature. ab gun24 beenf psychiat

. >> an emotional moment as mccain's family spokesman rick davis reads a letter the senator wanted read after his death. >> i lived and died a proud american. do not despair of our present difficulties. test approximate trump speaking publicly about senator john mccain's death. >> we very much appreciate

we'll look back at his extraordinary life of service with his longtime aide and campaign manager rick davisiller and his wife morgan will be in studio 57. how they're taking action to help other parents after losing their daughter to drowning. >>> plus, new research is calling into question the benefits of daily aspirin. why it may not

one by one, procure a cheque from donors, and they sent a messenger out to pick up the cheque and rick daviswould walk across the street to the bank and deposit the cheque. slowly, the money came in. i relocated to washington as well and bob and i shared an office, we outshouted each other on the phones raising money tojohn mccain. we spent a lot of time in our home in houston withjohn as well helping to raise money and to strategise, and i talked to his wife and daughter, and both women of independent spirits. cindy did so many things worldwide the charity including operation smile, and followed other interests. she was very quiet about what she did. megan was a fiercely independent bright young woman, and i know that her father as well as cindy's husband was the light of their lives. my husband lost his life in 2010 and john mccain was speaker at his funeral in washington. this is a very emotional moment for me. ican imagine. we have seen various pictures, for example, the last statement he made on the senate floor before leaving to go and receive treatment, and also pictures of both of yo

it was read today by rick davis. >> i've often observed that i'm the luckiest person on earth.d my life, all of it. i've had experiences, adventures, friendsships, enough for ten satisfying lives. and i'm so thankful. like most people, i have regrets, but i would not trade a day of my life, for the best day of anybody else's. fellow americans, that association has meant more to me than any other. i lived and died a proud american. we are citizens of the world's greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. we're blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold those ideals in the world and at home. we weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe, and when we hide behind walls rather than tear them down. when we doubt the power of our ideals rather than trust them to be the great force for change they've always been. we are 325 million opinionated individuals, we argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our public debates. but we have

close friend and former presidential campaign manager rick davis on cnn sharing the war hero's final> i saw the progression of the disease and what it did to his body. but his spirit and his mind stayed strong to the end. he was really an inspiration to us. >> an inspiration to the 10,000 people who were expected here today. and after a memorial service here in phoenix tomorrow, mccain's body will be brought

americans, whom i have gratefully served for 60 years -- >> reporter: his former campaign manager rick davisl love letter to the nation. >> i've tried to serve our country honorably. i have made mistakes. but i hope my love for america will be weighed favorably against them. i've had experiences, adventures,ve and i am so thankful. >> reporter: late this afternoon, the white house flag suddenly returned to half staff and the president issued a proclamation requiring that all public buildings and grounds do the same, as it fell to ivanka trump to hail mccain in public. >> an american patriot who served our country with distinction for more than six decades. >> reporter: on the floor of the u.s. senate, georgia republican johnny isaac son urged the president to drop his grudge. >> anybody who anyway tarnishes the reputation of john mccain deserves a whipping. because most of the ones who would do the wrong thing by john mccain didn't have the guts to do the right thing when it was their turn. >> reporter: in his letter, mccain left the nation with this straight talk about our polarized times.

we'll look back at his extraordinary life of service with his longtime aide and campaign manager rick davis. >>> olympic skier bode miller and his wife morgan will be in studio 57. how they're taking action to help other parents after losing their daughter to drowning. >>> plus, new research is calling into question the benefits of daily aspirin. why it may not lower the risk of first heart attacks or strokes. >>> but we begin this morning with a look at today's eye opener. your world in 90 seconds. >>> people just started running and the gun shots were everywhere. >> people were hiding, everybody was screaming in fear. >> a florida video game tournament ends in bloodshed. >> the competition was being live streamed when shots rang out. >> two people were killed before the gunman took his own life. >> as you go through life, you need very few truly great men. >> tri >> tributes continue to pour in for the late senator john mccain. >> i'm going to miss him. >> the "washington post" reports the white house drafted a statement but president trump instead posting a brief tweet. >> the former vat

he had a statement for everyone which was read by rick davis. >> i observed i am the luckiest person on earth. i feel that way now and i prepare for the end of my life. i love my life. all of it. i've loved my life, all of it. i've had experiences, adventures, friendships, enough for ten satisfying lives. and i'm so thankful. like most people, i have regrets, but i would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anybody else's. fellow americans, that association has meant more to me than any other. i lived and died a proud american. we are citizens of the world's greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. we're blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold those ideals at home and in the world. we have helped more people from tierny and poverty. we weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe and we weaken it when tear the powers gown around the world. -- powers down around 9 world. dash around the world. when we doubt the

. >> i get a call from rick davis who is campaign manager for john mccain's presidential campaign inn the list of people to be vetted to be his vice presidential running mate. i said are you kidding me. he said no, i'm not. it was a bold idea. barack obama was beginning to walk on the mountain tops and we were not going to defeat him with a conventional campaign. >> in his book, mccain regret not picking him. he was sound advice that i could reason for myself but my gut told me to ignore it and i wish i had. >> then john mccain said where else can i go. somebody said have you thought of this republican governor from alaska named sarah palin. >> coming up. >> we surprised everybody. maybe too much. there were a lot of things we didn't know about her. it's time for the 'biggest sale of the year' on the new sleep number 360 smart bed. it senses your movement and automatically adjusts to keep you both comfortable. and now, all beds are on sale. save 50% on the new sleep number 360 limited edition smart bed. only for a limited time. money managers are pretty much the same. all but while s

. >> reporter: mccain confidant rick davis struggled to keep his komg po composure at times as he shared mccain's last letter to the nation. >> i've loved my life, all of it. i've had experiences, adventures, friendships, enough for ten satisfying lives. >> reporter: arizona as says good by, mccain's colleagues are contemplating a senate without him. >> he was bigger than any one state. he always belonged to america and to the world. and now he belongs to the ages. >> reporter: mccain had a habit of finding friends and aides who stayed loyal for good. what was it about him that drew people into this lifelong affiliation? >> he stove every day t tell th. when he didn't, he reminded you that he hadn't told the truth. >> reporter: in his farewell letter, mccain made a plea for civility. recalling his concession speech to president obama in 2008. >> we weaken our greatness. when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries. we weaken it when we hide behind walls rather than tear them down. we believe always in the promise and greatness of america. because nothing is inevitable here. ameri

today, a farewell letter written by mccain himself was read by his campaign manager and friend, rick davisten observed that i am the luckiest person on earth. i feel that way even now as i prepare for the end of my life. i've loved my life, all o h exp adventures, friendships, enough for ten satisfying lives and i am so thankful. >> emotional for his friend to read that there. this friday, the senator m trip where he'll lie in state in the capitol rotunda. mccain requested that his funeral former presidents george w. bush and barack obama deliver the eulogies. by agreement by the trump and mccain families, president trump will not be invited. under more pressure today, despite our differences, i respect senator john mccain's service to our country. i have signed a proclamation to fly the flag at half-staff until the day of his interment. >> he promised a new agreement with mexico and new name for the deal cut in the name of the clinton -- >> we'll get rid of the name nafta. has a bod connotation because the united states was hurt by nafta. >> mexico's president on speaker phone today. nota

rick davis, his long-time friend and campaign manager, read it at a press conference today. here's some of that. >> we weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sewn resentment, hatred and violence on all the corners of the globe. we weaken it when we hide behind walls rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been. >> back with us to talk about all of this is robert costa. and joining the conversation, ashley parker, pulitzer prize-winning reporter for the "washington post" and jill colburn, reporter for the washington press. you saw the president arms crossed, mumbling thank you, thank you, barely making eye contact with jonathan carl or anybody else in the pool asking about john mccain. what was it that pushed him over the top? was it, as the "washington post" reports, the crush of news coverage, or was it the revolt on his own white house staff that finally got him to make this turn? >> it seemed to be a combination of those factors.

. >> i get a call from rick davis who was campaign manager for john mccain's presidential campaign in said john would like to put you on the list of people that could be vetted to be his vice presidential running mate. i said, are you kidding me? he said no, i'm not. it was a bold idea. >> barack obama was beginning to walk on the mountain tops and you were not going to defeat him with a conventional campaign. >> in his book "the restless wave" mccain expressed regret for not having been talked out of it by campaign staff. >> john mccain said where else can i go? and i said have you heard of the alaska governor sarah palin? >> there was a lot we didn't know about herr. . . and if that's not enough, we'll look after your every dollar. put down the phone. and if that's not enough, we'll look after your every cent. grab your wallet. (beeping sound) (computer voice) access denied. and if that's still not enough to help you save... oh the new one! we'll bring out the dogs. mush! (dogs barking) the old one's just fine! we'll do anything, seriously anything, to help our customers. thanks. al

. >> i get a call from rick davis who is campaign manager for john mccain's presidential campaign ind like to put you on the list of people to be vetted to be his vice preside presidential running mate. i said are you kidding me. he said no, i'm not. it was a bold idea. barack obama was beginning to walk on the mountain tops and we were not going to defeat him with a conventional campaign. >> in his book, pmccain regret not picking him. he was sound advice that i could reason for myself but my gut told me to ignore it and i wish i had. >> then john mccain said where else can i go. somebody said have you thought of this republican governor from alaska named sarah palin. >> coming up. >> we surprised everybody. maybe too much. there were a lot of things we didn't know about her. gs we didn't know about her. ♪ ♪ i don't care where we go ♪ and i don't care what we do ♪ just take me with you there are roadside attractions. and then there's our world-famous on-road attraction. the 2018 glc. lease the glc300 for just $459 a month at your local mercedes-benz dealer. mercedes-benz. the best o

. >> i get a call from rick davis, who is the campaign manager for john mccain's presidential campaignhe said john would like to put you on the list of people to be vetted to be his vice presidential running mate. i said, are you kidding me? he said, no, i'm not. it was a bold idea. barack obama was beginning to walk on the mountaintops and we were not going to defeat him with a conventional campaign. >> in his book, "the restless wave," mccain expressed regret over not picking lieberman, being talked out of it by his staff. he was sound advice that i could reason for myself but my gut told me to ignore it and i wish i had. >> then john mccain said where else can i go? somebody said have you thought of this republican governor from alaska named sarah palin? >>> coming up -- >> we surprised everybody. maybe too much. there were a lot of things we didn't know about her. cause let's be honest, nobody likes dealing with insurance, right? which is why esurance hired me, dennis quaid, as their spokesperson because apparently, i'm highly likable. i like dennis quaid. awww. and they want me to

rick davis/former mccain campaign manager"fellow americans, that association has meant more to me than any other. i lived and died a proud american. we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement." (grant)after being diagnosed with brain cancer last summer, mccain started planning his own funeral.on wednesday, on what would have been his 82nd birthday, mccain will lie in state at the arizona state capitol.thursday, a memorial service will take place in phoenix where former vice president biden will speak. then mccain's body will be flown one last time to washington d-c, where he will lie in state in the rotunda of the u-s capitol on friday. saturday, former president's george w. bush and barack obama will speak at a service at the washington national cathedral sunday- a private service at the u-s naval academy in annapolis, maryland where mccain will be buried.(grant)arizona's governor says he will not name a successor to fill his senate seat until after mccain is buried. (grant)and ken, pam... coming up at 10:30 we take a look at how president trump is

my goodness, rick davis struggling to get through that, paul. jotted down the note from the late senator. we have so much more in common with one another -- it is a resonant sentiment that really rings true today. >> yeah. that was the thing about mccain. he would always say that a fight not joined was a fight not enjoyed. he loved the spirit of the battle. but he really, really tried to focus on finding common ground. and at least having real friendships and bonds. you know, some of his best friends were republicans. and a lot of his best friends were democrats, from people like john kerry, who he originally had a bitter bitter fight with over the vietnam war, to former vice president joe biden who he served in the senate with, and the late ted kennedy, who my gosh they died on the same day nine years apart. mccain always wanted to find that common thread to keep the place running to keep the senate functions. >> he was of course you know, a father and a husband, and a prisoner of war. but as a senator, you are right, paul, that mccain first fe

. >> i get a call from rick davis who is campaign manager for john mccain's presidential campaign inf people to be vetted to be his vice presidential running mate. i said are you kidding me. he said no, i'm not. it was a bold idea. barack obama was beginning to walk on the mountain tops and we were not going to defeat him with a conventional campaign. >> in his book, mccain regret not picking him. he was sound advice that i could reason for myself but my gut told me to ignore it and i wish i had. >> then john mccain said where else can i go. somebody said have you thought of this republican governor from alaska named sarah palin. >> coming up. >> we surprised everybody. maybe too much. there were a lot of things we didn't know about her. it's absolute confidence in 30,000 precision parts, or it isn't. it's inspected by mercedes-benz factory-trained technicians, or it isn't. it's backed by an unlimited mileage warranty, or it isn't. for those who never settle, it's either mercedes-benz certified pre-owned, or it isn't. the mercedes-benz certified pre-owned sales event, now through aug

even in the last remarks that rick davis read for him and he talked about his imperfect service, how many times do you hear that? my service was imperfect. you don't. you just don't hear that today. >> s.e., you think we're going to step back at this moment now over these next few days as we honor appropriately senator mccain and see any change emerging here in washington as a result of what he tried to bring forward? >> i would certainly hope so. wouldn't that be an incredible honor to him? i was really touched, grateful that in those final remarks he chose, as he so often did, not to prey on our fears and our bassist instincts. he was hopeful in that message n told us that we'll get through all of this. and we'll be stronger for it. i needed to hear that. and i think a lot of people did because these are trying times. the country feels at times, it feels uncertain and we're treating each other badly a lot of the time. so to hear him and his parting words, give us that gift of optimism and hope instead of the fear that dominates so many of our political conversations right now was a

friend and campaign manager rick davis on cnn sharing the war hero's final display of bravery. >> i saw of the disease and what it did to his body, but his spirit and his mind stayed strong to the end. he was really an inspiration to us. >> an inspiration to the 10,000 people who are expected here today. and after a memorial service here in phoenix tomorrow, mccain's body will be brought to washington, d.c. for two more days of ceremonies before he is laid to rest in annapolis sunday. marci gonzalez, abc news, phoenix. >> and abc news will have live coverage of senator john mccain's memorial in washington, d.c. this saturday beginning at 6:00 a.m. here on abc 7. we'll also stream the service live at abc7news.com and on the abc 7 news app. >>> 30 years ago, john mccain was snagged in the nation's savings & loan crisis. it threatened to derail his political crear in fact, while it disgraced several other dubbed the keating five. however, mccain showed his true character by stepping up and testifying on behalf of victims whose life savings had been wiped out. here is david louie. >> john m

we were just inside the state capitol where the family spokesman, rick davis, read parts of that letter aloud. here's some of mccain's final thoughts. >> i have loved my life, all of it. i have had experiences, adventures, friendships, enough for ten satisfying lives, and i am so thankful. like most people, i have regrets, but i would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anybody else's. i owe the satisfaction to the love of my family. one man has never had a more loving wife or children he was prouder of than i am of mine. and i owe it to america. reporter: a very touching letter as he read that aloud. we are also getting more details about who will be speaking at the several days of celebration as we honor mccain's life and legacy this week. he will lie in state here at the arizona state capitol. officials confirming today that the capitol will remain open all day and all night, as long as there are people in line waiting to pay their respects to mccain. he then will be -- there will be a memorial ceremony the following day at north phoenix baptist chur