ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Far from the madding crowds of last year’s campaign trail, Barack Obama quietly greeted the newly graduated midshipman and son of the man he defeated for the presidency.
The moment had to be a bit cathartic for both John Sidney “Jack” McCain IV and Obama, whose fitness to be commander in chief was questioned just months ago by young Jack’s father, Sen. John McCain.
The handshake and exchange of words before thousands arrayed under a brilliant sun at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium resounded with political symbolism and symmetry: A new president, now in charge of America’s national security establishment, congratulating a fourth-generation McCain, just starting his way up the ranks of the military.
Jack McCain, indeed, is following in the footsteps of his father, and those of his grandfather and great-grandfather — all named John Sidney McCain — in earning his diploma and receiving a commission as a naval officer.
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While Sen. McCain famously racked up demerits and earned poor grades to graduate fifth from bottom of his 1958 class, Jack McCain had a less-colorful academy career.
“I’m happy to say my son’s grades are better, and he didn’t have the demerits business that my husband did,” Cindy McCain told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “He had demerits, but he didn’t come through with quite so many as my husband did.”
The McCain family declined to be interviewed Friday, but Jack’s parents, Sen. McCain’s mother, and all of Jack’s siblings attended, except for his younger brother, James, who is on active duty in the Marine Corps. “They’re both anxious to see each other so that Jack’s brother has to salute him,” Cindy McCain said.
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd of more then 30,000 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium when McCain’s name was called late Friday morning.
Obama did not mention the McCains in his commencement address. However, he and young Jack McCain spoke briefly and embraced, the president patting him on the back, as McCain went on stage to get his diploma.
Jack McCain’s sister, Meghan, posted a Twitter message saying, “My brother just got his diploma!! Woohoo!!”
Cindy McCain said in the telephone interview Thursday that her son was honored to have the commander in chief speak at his graduation.
Jack McCain will report to naval flight school in Pensacola, Fla., to train to become a pilot like his father.
“Like all Navy pilots, or prospective Navy pilots, he wants to fly jets,” Cindy McCain said. “Whatever happens, we support him.”
Cindy McCain said she and her husband were careful not to push their son to enroll in the academy or to join the military.
“The fourth generation, I should say, that’s a lot of pressure. My husband and I made a point while he was growing up to make sure that he didn’t feel pressured into this, and if he did choose to do this, it would be his choice.”
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