Krystal Ball: McCain reminds us of what politics can be at its best

Hill.TV host Krystal Ball said on Thursday that the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) reminds Americans what politics can be at its best as the country prepares to honor the six-term senator and former Republican presidential nominee.

“He reminds us of some of what politics can be at its best, which is spirited and feisty and passionate, but ultimately basically decent and respectful,” Ball told co-host Buck Sexton on “Rising.”

McCain died on Saturday at his home in Arizona just over a year after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

A private ceremony for the former Vietnam POW was held on Wednesday in the Arizona Capitol.

He will be eulogized by former Vice President Joe Biden at a funeral service in Arizona on Thursday before his body is taken to the U.S. Capitol, where it will lie in state.

Former Presidents Obama and George W. Bush will deliver eulogies at a separate service for McCain at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Saturday.

NBC News reported on Wednesday that McCain’s former running mate in the 2008 presidential election, Sarah Palin, was not invited to the funeral services.

“His choice of her as vice president, very controversial,” Ball said. “Sort of launched her into — our first political reality TV show star and a lot of people say kind of paved the way to [President] Trump.”

“I actually don’t agree with that. I think the culture was set up to embrace Palin- and Trump-like figures but, you know, seems like he had some regrets there,” she added.

— Julia Manchester