OVER THE LINE

Dem Candidate: ‘Shouldn’t Take Brain Cancer’ for McCain to Buck Trump

Dean Phillips later apologized.

A Democratic House candidate accused Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) of using his brain-cancer diagnosis as a cover for criticizing President Donald Trump. “I’ve been tweeting on occasion about saluting Bob Corker and John McCain and Jeff Flake—men who have shown a little bit of courage speaking truth to their own party,” said Dean Phillips, who is challenging Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN). “But it shouldn’t take brain cancer and the retirement from the Senate to do so.” Phillips later apologized for “referencing his health,” adding: “I greatly admire Sen. McCain’s service to our country as well as his courage, and have for a long time.” The Arizona senator has been critical of the Trump administration and of the president stemming from the 2016 campaign. He was diagnosed with brain cancer this year, and is undergoing treatment.