Cindy McCain, wife of the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), poked at a pending censure from the Arizona Republican Party, joking she would “make T-shirts” for everyone the party has censured.
The party is planning to hold a vote to censure Cindy McCain and former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) after they supported President-elect Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Another censure resolution targets Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Arizona Republic.
McCain discussed the possible censures with her daughter Meghan McCain during an appearance on ABC’s “The View” on Thursday.
“It’s about doing what’s right for the country,” Cindy McCain said. “Certainly, Sen. Flake and our governor have made some very tough decisions lately and in the past, but it was for the good of our state and our country.”
McCain said that she was “in good company,” referring to the party’s previous censure of her late husband in 2014 over his voting record.
“You know, I’m in good company, your dad was censured by them,” McCain told her daughter, who is a co-host on “The View.” “I think I’m going to make T-shirts for everyone and wear them.”
Meghan McCain said that it seems “very [angry] and bitter for a state that’s now blue,” referring to Biden’s win in the state.
“I don’t understand the anger and hostility, I found it deeply hurtful, and I know you did, too,” McCain said.
Cindy McCain, a lifelong Republican, said Republicans have “lost our way,” adding that it’s time for the party “to get back on track.”
“I truly hope that as things progress on and we get away from this mess that occurred, that we can do just that, we can get back on track and remind everyone that we’re here for the country and not for the party,” she said.
The McCains have for years locked horns with Kelli Ward, the chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party and a staunch ally of President Trump. Ward, a longtime critic of John McCain who launched a primary challenge against him in 2016, is expected to be reelected as state party chair on Jan. 23, the Arizona Republic reported.
The censures come after Republicans in the state suffered major losses in the last two election cycles. In November, Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state since 1996. Both of the state’s Senate seats are also held by Democrats for the first time since the 1950s.