He didn't speak the name of the late Sen. John McCain. But, then again, he didn't need to do so. Those in in the audience clearly knew that President Donald Trump was speaking about the late senator.

Trashing him. Again.

Just as you'll know that Trump talking about McCain when you read what he said.

Once again, the president brought up the Senate vote to kill the Affordable Care Act. Vox journalist Aaron Rupar tweeted Trump's quote as, "We needed 60 votes & we had 51, & sometimes we had a hard time with a couple. Fortunately they're gone now. They've gone on to greener pastures. Or perhaps far less green, but they're gone. Very happy they're gone.”

Trump can't let McCain go

The president doesn't use McCain's name, but the inference is clear. Trump simply cannot get over the late senator. It's pathetic, but he cannot stop trashing him.

He's happy McCain is dead and he presumes him to be in hell.

About which Trump also is happy.

The sad irony of such comments, of course, is that if there actually IS a hell, the president apparently is too vain or too ignorant -- or both -- to understand that such statements would eventually doom him to that dark and fiery place.

It's a sickness, his obsession with McCain.

And again, for emphasis ...

It. Is. Pathetic.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.