Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Sen. John McCain during 2012 Republican National Convention. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
HBO's new documentary on John McCain ("For Whom the Bell Tolls," premiering 8 tonight) "is a thorough and intriguing celebration of the Arizona senator’s life, with many of his political peers and opponents describing McCain’s career of service," The Arizona Republic's Bill Goodykoontz writes.
The big picture: "The filmmakers spent hours with McCain both in his Sedona home and in Washington, D.C. There are testimonials from his family, as well as personal and political friends and enemies..."
- "In fact, the latter part of the film is given over mostly to just that, laudatory musings about McCain, of which he is certainly deserving."
- But the rest of the film sorts through McCain’s life — and his mistakes, of which he acknowledges many."
- "That’s far more interesting, and makes McCain far more human."
An astonishing 49 senators turned out for a Capitol Hill screening hosted by Richard Plepler, HBO chairman and CEO (and former Senate aide to Chris Dodd).
- McCain’s entire office staff attended and the entire Armed Services Committee was there, along with many former staff members.
- House members and many McCain family members joined, along with Frank Gamboa, McCain’s roommate at the Naval Academy.
- When the filmmakers showed it to McCain, he said: “You nailed it.”