Obama On McCain: We Never Doubted 'We Were On The Same Team'

President Barack Obama, speaking thoughtfully and with grace, honored his former presidential opponent, Sen. John McCain today, reminding a worldwide audience of McCain's sense of duty, honor, and yes, humor.

Just a few highlights as the we were all reminded of two of America's higher angels: dignity and respect.

Former President Obama discusses his conversation with John McCain about speaking at his funeral, joking that “it showed… his sense of humor… After all, what better way to get a last laugh than to make George and I say nice things about him to a national audience.” pic.twitter.com/rq29mnxBYf

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) September 1, 2018

Obama offered a long view on how class versus crass handles differences in politics. After referencing the "petty" and the "mean," he closed the thought with a quote from For Whom The Bell Tolls:

“So much of our politics can seem small and mean and petty. Trafficking in bombast and insult, phony controversies and manufactured outrage. It’s a politics that pretends to be brave and tough, but is instead born of fear.

"John called on us to be bigger than that, to be better than that.

"Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be, but what will happen in all the other days will depend on what you do today. What better way to honor John McCain than follow his example.”

Barack Obama on McCain: "Our politics, public life, public discourse can seem small and mean and petty. Trafficking in insult and phony controversies...It's the politics that pretends to be brave and tough but in fact is born of fear. John called on us to be bigger than that" pic.twitter.com/fn3NH7ASPN

— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 1, 2018

President Obama out here delivering a pitch-perfect eulogy for John McCain at the National Cathedral.

"We never doubted each other's sincerity, or patriotism. Or that, when all was said and done, that we were on the same team."

How I miss this President, this human being. pic.twitter.com/wuGT5R2qaM

— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) September 1, 2018

Even President George W. Bush couldn't resist the temptation to draw comparisons between the current occupant of the White House and McCain: "John detested the abuse of power. He could not abide bigots and swaggering despots."

George W. Bush: "Above all, John detested the abuse of power. He could not abide bigots and swaggering despots." (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/xAxcG6KGyd

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 1, 2018