When the 2000 Republican National Convention began in Philadelphia at the end of July , McCain took his Straight Talk Express to meet with his delegates and supporters before formally releasing them to Bush . There were tears from McCain , his wife Cindy , and some of the campaign staff and delegates . Many of McCain 's supporters were vocally unhappy with his words of support for Bush , and the '' Times '' wrote that , " Politics as usual with its compromises , cruelties and emotional costs — caught up with Senator John McCain this weekend . " McCain made a point of having Cindy McCain head the Arizona delegation at the convention , not his antagonist Governor Hull . On August 1 , the second night of the convention , McCain delivered a speech in praise of Bush , in particular trying to solidify Bush 's national security and foreign policy credentials . In it , McCain connected his family to Bush 's , making reference to former President George H. W. Bush 's combat service as a naval aviator in the Pacific Theater of World War II under Admiral John S. McCain , Sr. , McCain 's grandfather . He said directly of the nominee , " I support him . I am grateful to him . And I am proud of him . " '' The Almanac of American Politics '' called it " a moving , elegiac speech that ended as if in a minor key . " McCain 's plans to campaign for Bush in fall 2000 were delayed later in August by a recurrence of melanoma . This Stage IIa instance on his temple required extensive surgery that removed the lesion , surrounding lymph nodes , and part of the parotid gland . The final pathology tests showed that the melanoma had not spread , and his prognosis was good , but McCain was left with cosmetic aftereffects including a puffy cheek and a scar down his neck
2000 Republican National Convention
2000 Republican National Convention
John McCain 2000 presidential campaign