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TAPPER: That was Senator John McCain in a fiery speech on the Senate floor last year, a dramatic return to his colleagues after that iconic thumbs-down vote to stop the repeal of Obamacare.
McCain spent time criticizing the process Republicans used and called on his colleagues to change the tone and behavior of the Senate.
There were only two other Republicans who broke with their party and join McCain's no-vote.
One of those senators, Susan Collins from Maine, joins us right now.
Senator, thanks so much for joining us on this horrible, horrible morning. You spent more than two decades in the Senate with Senator McCain.
You have -- you have been willing to buck your party and work across the aisle, as he tried to do. What will the Senate be like without him?
SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R), MAINE: We will really be missing such an important voice for national unity.
John McCain felt very strongly about virtually every issue that he tackled, but it was never based in partisanship. He didn't try to score partisan points as he worked on issues. He would work with anyone who wanted to accomplish the goal that he shared.
TAPPER: You, Senator Murkowski and Senator McCain, you three voted no last summer on that plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.
Before he did that famous thumbs-down, I think that he talked to you and Murkowski. What did you talk about?
COLLINS: He did.
Lisa and I crossed the Senate floor to where John was sitting. And we knew that he was struggling with the issue. And we sat down and started talking with him. And, all of a sudden, he pointed to the two of us and said, you two are right.
And that's when I knew that he was going to vote no. At that point, I felt a tap on my shoulder. And it was Vice President Pence, who had been sent to lobby John and make a last-ditch appeal. So, I stepped aside, so that they could have their conversation.
But once John McCain made up his mind about something, there was no shaking him. And I knew that he would be there on the final vote. And, again, it was an example of his determination to do what he thought was right.
And that is a quality that marked his entire life.
TAPPER: If Senator McCain were here right now -- I can almost hear his voice -- he would be the first to point out that he's a very flawed man, that he made a lot of mistakes, that he had a lot of characteristics he wanted to work on.
One of them was, he could lose his temper. Were you ever on the receiving end of that temper?
(LAUGHTER)
COLLINS: I think virtually anyone who worked closely with John occasionally saw him lose his temper.
He did with me on one particular issue that was before the Armed Services Committee, when we were both sharing on it.
But the wonderful thing about John is, it would pass, and eventually he would apologize, he'd come up and gruffly on the Senate floor say, I realized I kind of overdid it there.
But you always knew, when he did get angry about something, that it was because he sincerely believed that you were wrong on an issue, and he was trying to straighten you out.
[09:20:02]
So he did try to straighten me out, not successfully on that particular issue. But, over the years, we had a wonderful relationship. And he was a real mentor to me.
I think this is a part of John McCain that a lot of people don't know about, is that he took younger senators under his wing. And, in my case, I -- he taught me so much about national security and foreign policy, even when we didn't always agree. He took me four times with him to Iraq and Afghanistan.
I'll never forget the first trip to Iraq. It was the very early stages of the war. And we did a spiral landing at Bagram Air Base. I was absolutely terrified.
And he was just chatting with Joe Lieberman, and he reached over and he said to me, "Don't worry, Susan."
I remember so clearly now.
"I have been through so much. I'm going to die at home in my own bed."
And I couldn't help but think of that yesterday, that at least he was at his beloved Sedona.
TAPPER: Yes, he would always say that he couldn't...
COLLINS: And with his family.
TAPPER: He couldn't be killed in a plane. He'd been through five plane crashes or something like that, including when he was shot down by the North Vietnamese.
Obviously, the senator is going to be missed here in the United States, but he was also -- he was an international figure. He had taken the role recently of reassuring American allies amid the turbulence of the Trump administration.
Allied countries such as Canada and Germany have expressed condolences, including this line from the German Embassy -- quote -- "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Senator John McCain, to the people of Arizona and America, whom he served so admirably. We remember him as a champion of the transatlantic alliance and a friend of Germany."
And that's a -- that's a really strong statement for an ally to make, a champion of the transatlantic alliance. Obviously, this comes when President Trump is not seen as such a champion.
Do you think the global order is less secure without John McCain in the world?
COLLINS: He certainly led the way in his no-barred comments, where he made very clear that he disagreed with the direction of this administration, that he was such a strong supporter of NATO, of our allies.
Every single year, he went to conferences in Munich and in Nova Scotia to reaffirm America's commitments to our allies. And I think that was extremely important. He continued to do that, even from Arizona, when he was ill.
And he inspired others of us also to speak out. And that was important. His voice will be missed, but his legacy in that area certainly lives on.
TAPPER: What do you think is his legacy? What is the most important part of his legacy? What should the American people take away from the life he led?
COLLINS: What the American people should know was that John McCain was a true patriot, a man who loved his country, who would do anything to advance his country, a man who believed in national unity, who put his country about (sic) himself, who lived a life of self-sacrifice, and who is an inspiration, not only to those of us who serve now, but to future generations as well.
TAPPER: And as somebody who was a friend of his, what are you going to miss most on a personal level, beyond what he represented, beyond bipartisanship, beyond national service? What will you miss about your friend?
COLLINS: I'm going to miss the fact that he was so much fun.
He has -- had a great sense of humor. And I traveled extensively with him and saw that firsthand. I went to his ranch in Sedona several years ago. I went to Antarctica with him.
His capacity to learn and his insatiable curiosity were extraordinary. So, I'll miss that as well.
But, frankly, I will miss how much fun he was and how much I learned from him. And he leaves a big hole in my heart.
And my -- my condolences go out to Cindy. I talked to her just about 10 days ago. And I knew the end was coming.
But he is irreplaceable.
TAPPER: Indeed.
Senator Susan Collins of Maine, thanks for much for coming with us and sharing your members of your friend.
[09:25:04]
COLLINS: Thank you, Jake.
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