Gingrich 'strongly' endorses McCain as 'national treasure'

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich forcefully endorsed John McCain on Thursday in the Arizona Republican’s Senate primary, two days after GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump declined to do so. But Gingrich told POLITICO that he has always supported his former congressional colleague.

“I strongly endorse Sen. John McCain,” Gingrich said in a video released by the senator's campaign, going on to call him “a genuine American hero, a man who has endured a great deal for his country, and a man who I worked with and watched him provide leadership as chairman of the Armed Services Committee.”


Speaking to The Washington Post on Tuesday, Trump said that he has not endorsed McCain in his primary contest “because I’ve always felt that he should’ve done a much better job for the vets.”

“He has not done a good job for the vets, and I’ve always felt that he should’ve done a much better job for the vets," said Trump, who last July remarked that McCain was considered a war hero only because he was captured. “So I’ve always had, I’ve always had a difficult time with John for that reason. Because our vets are not being treated properly, they’re not being treated fairly.”

Gingrich registered his appreciation for McCain’s work on behalf of veterans in the endorsement video.

“I know how hard John works for veterans, for the military and for our national security, and I know that John McCain is a national treasure, somebody who’s making a real difference,” Gingrich said. “A man of great courage who as a patriot serves his country without fear. I hope you’ll do everything you can to make sure that Sen. John McCain continues to work in Washington on your behalf and on the behalf of all Americans.”

In a separate email to POLITICO, Gingrich said his endorsement of McCain had nothing to do with Trump’s comments.

“I have always supported John McCain. We served in the House together,” Gingrich said, adding that he “supported his presidential bid in 2008” and “worked with him on Senate Armed Services issues.”

Trump’s campaign on Thursday sought to play down any rift between the candidate and the Republican establishment after the GOP nominee refused to endorse not only McCain, but also House Speaker Paul Ryan and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte. Campaign co-chair Sam Clovis told CNN earlier Thursday that it would not be an “appropriate move” for Trump to endorse McCain over state Sen. Kelli Ward or any other candidate.