Politics Talk. Why does McCain still hold office while in the fight for his life?

via Free Beacon.

The McCain family announced on Friday that Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) has decided to "discontinue medical treatment" after surpassing expectations for his survival following a diagnosis of glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor.

"John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment," the statement read.

McCain announced last July that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer following a surgery to address a blood clot. The clinic said, "subsequent tissue pathology revealed that a primary brain tumor known as a glioblastoma was associated with the blood clot."

Since the diagnosis, McCain has spent a majority of his time back home in Arizona going through multiple treatments, including chemotherapy.

"Our family is immensely grateful for the support and kindness of all his caregivers over the last year, and for the continuing outpouring of concern and affection from John’s many friends and associates, and the many thousands of people who are keeping him in their prayers. God bless and thank you all," the family said.

"I love my husband with all of my heart. God bless everyone who has cared for my husband along this journey," McCain's wife, Cindy,  tweeted.

Story here. 

Time for some hard, perhaps even painful truth.

My heart does go out for the McCain family.  I know personally the trauma that a family goes thru when a family member is diagnosed with cancer. The hurt is real, but it is a hurt that thousands go thru everyday.

Having said that this goes to governance.

McCain is a former military man and a member of the US Senate.

He is incapacitated.

Why hasn't he done the honorable thing and stepped down?  Why hasn't a replacement been named till the next election?  Why hasn't he gone quietly into the night to be with his loved ones instead of remaining on the stage?

I have my theories but its not to be spoken aloud while a man is dying. However the point remains.  This is bad juju for a functioning govt. The people should demand more.

A Marine goes down then its next man up.  A Marine is incapable of doing his job then its next man up.  That same standard should apply in this case.

My heart goes out but this smacks of hubris on a grand scale.