7 heartwarming moments in 2018 politics

Warm and fuzzy feelings in politics may seem few and far between.

In a year when seven in 10 Americans said they have “news fatigue,” though, there were a few moments that warmed bipartisan hearts across the nation, ranging from Sully the service dog to the rescue of all 12 members of a Thai soccer team that was trapped in a cave in Thailand for nearly two weeks.

Here are some of those moments.

 

George Bush shares candy with Michelle Obama

Twice on difficult occasions, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Michelle Obama passed candy back and forth.

During the funeral service for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in September, Bush passed what was later revealed to be a cough drop or mint to Obama in the front row at the cathedral.

This is such a great little moment. pic.twitter.com/7LZgNcHhyt

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 1, 2018

Then a few months after the moment went viral online, in December, Bush made a point of providing another candy to Obama as he greeted the couple at the funeral service for his father, former President George H.W. Bush. 

Former President George W. Bush greets all the former presidents at his father’s funeral service. https://t.co/YsVdNOQqBj #Bush41 pic.twitter.com/VzkhdElZlg

— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) December 5, 2018

 

Meghan McCain’s emotional speech at her father’s funeral

Meghan McCain said during her eulogy for her father that the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) directed her to use the speech to “show them how tough you are.” And she did, struggling through tears at times to deliver it.

She spoke about her father’s reputation for “his patriotism, his faith, his endurance in the worst of possible circumstances” that most people associated with his time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam at a camp known as the “Hanoi Hilton.”

“Today I want to share with you where I found out who John McCain truly was, and it wasn’t in the Hilton,” she said. “It wasn’t in the cockpit of a fast and lethal fighter jet or on the campaign trail. John McCain was in all those places, but the best of him was somewhere else, the best of John McCain, the greatest of his titles and the most important of his roles was as a father.”

“John McCain was in all of those places, but the best of him was somewhere else. The best of John McCain, the greatest of his titles, and the most important of his roles was as a father.” – Meghan McCain pic.twitter.com/iGEzXvhgcN

— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 1, 2018

 

First baby appears on Senate floor

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) became the first senator to bring a baby onto the Senate floor in April, after senators voted unanimously to allow children under one year of age into the chamber.

Duckworth, who lost both her legs during the Iraqi War, entered the chamber in a wheelchair for a vote carrying her newborn daughter in a sling.

I may have to vote today, so Maile’s outfit is prepped. I made sure she has a jacket so she doesn’t violate the Senate floor dress code (which requires blazers). I’m not sure what the policy is on duckling onesies, but I think we’re ready pic.twitter.com/SsNHEuSVnY

— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) April 19, 2018

 

George H.W. Bush’s final sock choice

Former President George H.W. Bush was known for his love of colorful socks. The New York Times called him “the Original Sock Diplomat.”

“He wore red, white and blue striped numbers to the White House for the unveiling of his son’s official portrait in 2012; Bill Clinton socks to a meeting with Mr. Clinton; and socks from a company started by a man with Down syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day,” the Times noted.

He also wore “book socks” to his wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush’s, funeral in April this year to honor her passion for literacy. And he picked out a pair of socks representing his military service to wear to his own funeral, which came in December.

The 41st President will be carried to his final rest wearing socks that pay tribute to his lifetime of service, starting as an 18 year-old naval aviator in war. That legacy is now being carried, in part, by the brave, selfless men and women aboard @CVN77_GHWB. #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/OabtK756fO

— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 3, 2018

Bush’s socks prompted people to honor his memory on social media using the hashtag #SocksforBush.

 

New gains for diversity in midterm elections

In 2018, a record number of women were elected to the House and the number of LGBT lawmakers in Congress hit double digits for the first time.

Within those election milestones were other records. A record number of female veterans are heading to Congress next year. The first Muslim woman and the first Native American woman were elected to Congress. The first openly gay governor was elected in Colorado. South Dakota elected its first female governor and Tennessee and Arizona their first female senators. 

Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), now the state’s the governor-elect, introduced his partner as “the first first man” of Colorado during his acceptance speech, earning a massive wave of applause.

In one of #ElectionNight2018 ‘s many firsts, Colorado elected Jared Polis – the country’s first openly gay governor. The crowd went nuts when Polis introduced his long-term partner as the state’s “first, first man.” https://t.co/S9yp4KW4zz #ElectionResults2018 pic.twitter.com/UDCGKZiGoH

— Saeed Ahmed (@saeed_ahmed) November 7, 2018

 

A “Saturday Night Live” apology

After comic Pete Davidson joked about now-Rep.-elect Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) who “lost his eye in war — or whatever” on “Saturday Night Live” in November, a wave of criticism forced the show to apologize.

But Davidson’s on-air apology the following week came with an appearance by Crenshaw himself, who gently mocked Davidson’s recent breakup and then delivered a heartfelt call for unity.

“Americans can forgive one another,” Crenshaw said. “We can remember what brings us together as a country and still see the good in each other.”

 

Honest reactions from winners and losers

In multiple races around the country, the reactions of the winners or losers were more memorable than the results. For example, Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) told supporters “I’m so f—ing proud of you guys” during his concession speech, a moment that ended up live on MSNBC. 

“Sorry for the F-bomb,” anchor Brian Williams said at the time. “We have no control of what’s in the concession speeches.”

Cameras caught Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) shocked response to winning a primary against longtime incumbent Joe Crowley.

This is the moment Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old Latina running her first campaign, discovered she had ousted 10-term incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley in New York’s 14th congressional district https://t.co/Q7namRbcEk pic.twitter.com/D4lzJZo1z3

— CNN (@CNN) June 27, 2018

Across town that same night, Rep. Crowley (D-N.Y.) picked up a guitar and dedicated his rendition of “Born to Run” to Ocasio-Cortez.

From Jackson Heights, here’s @JoeCrowleyNY playing “Born to Run” dedicated to @Ocasio2018. pic.twitter.com/qZElM9xiy6

— katie honan (@katie_honan) June 27, 2018

Later, Crowley’s guitar-playing at his farewell party in D.C. even prompted Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to dance.