Sen. John McCain praises war film ‘American Sniper’
LOS ANGELES — Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., added his name to the many voices weighing in on “American Sniper,” praising Clint Eastwood’s story of Chris Kyle and his experience in Iraq while taking aim at the movie’s critics.
“This film depicts with subtlety and compassion those brave few who serve our nation in uniform, their experiences in the horror of war, the burdens they often bear upon returning home and the untold sacrifices of their families,” McCain said in a statement issued on Monday by his office. “It is deeply regrettable that obsessive critics of U.S. foreign policy have sought to disparage this film and denigrate the memory of a noble American warrior.”
He added, “Fortunately, their pettiness has not stopped millions of Americans from seeing ‘American Sniper’ and, hopefully, in the process gaining a greater appreciation for the service and sacrifice of America’s military service members and their families.”
The movie, which once again topped the box office over the weekend, has been the source of much debate, even though fans and critics have not necessarily fallen along partisan lines. Jane Fonda praised the movie, writing on Twitter that the movie was “Powerful. Another view of ‘Coming Home.’ Bradley Cooper sensational. Bravo Clint Eastwood.”
McCain is also the latest politico to weigh in on an Oscar contender. Former President George H.W. Bush issued a statement praising the movie “Selma,” while President Obama hosted a screening at the White House of the movie.
McCain’s running mate in the 2008 presidential election, Sarah Palin, is a fan of the movie as well, but she has blasted criticism of the film as coming from what she called the “Hollywood left.”
