US election 2020: John McCain's widow endorses Joe Biden for president
Cindy McCain says the Democratic candidate is a "good and honest man" who would "lead us with dignity" if he wins the election.
Wednesday 23 September 2020 16:01, UK
The widow of late Republican senator John McCain has endorsed Joe Biden for president in a move which could help swing crucial votes towards the Democrat in his challenge against Donald Trump.
Cindy McCain said Mr Biden is the only candidate "who stands up for our values" and "will lead us with dignity".
On Twitter, Mrs McCain wrote: "My husband John lived by a code: country first. We are Republicans, yes, but Americans foremost. There's only one candidate in this race who stands up for our values as a nation, and that is @JoeBiden."
Her backing could help Mr Biden appeal to Republicans disaffected with and give the former vice president a boost in Arizona, a crucial swing state that Mr McCain represented in Congress for 35 years.
Mrs McCain added: "Joe and I don't always agree on the issues, and I know he and John certainly had some passionate arguments, but he is a good and honest man. He will lead us with dignity."
Mr Trump has had a fraught relationship with members of Mr McCain's family since he disparaged the former senator during his 2016 presidential campaign.
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John McCain, who ran against Barack Obama in 2008, was badly injured while serving in Vietnam and spent more than five years as a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down in 1967.
While campaigning for the 2016 election, Mr Trump said of Mr McCain: "He's not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured."
Mr McCain, who died at the age of 81 in 2018 from complications of a brain tumour, has remained a revered figure since his death, particularly with the independent voters whom Mr Biden is courting.
In a meeting with donors, Mr Biden said Mrs McCain's endorsement was coming "because of what (Trump) talks about how my son and John and others who are heroes, who served their country. You know, he said they're 'losers, suckers'".
Mr Biden was referring to comments Mr Trump reportedly made mocking the .
The president has denied making the remarks, first reported through anonymous sources by The Atlantic, but many of the comments were later confirmed by The Associated Press.