July 11, 2008
Posted: 08:30 AM ET

Outside her Bel-Air home, Nancy Reagan stood arm in arm with John McCain and offered a significant — but less than exuberant — endorsement.

"Ronnie and I always waited until everything was decided, and then we endorsed," the Republican matriarch said in March. "Well, obviously this is the nominee of the party." They were the only words she would speak during the five-minute photo op.

In a written statement, she described McCain as "a good friend for over 30 years." But that friendship was strained in the late 1970s by McCain's decision to divorce his first wife, Carol, who was particularly close to the Reagans, and within weeks marry Cindy Hensley, the young heiress to a lucrative Arizona beer distributorship.

Full story from LA Times

Filed under: John McCain • LA Times


K Lynn   July 11th, 2008 1:46 pm ET

As a young person and a follower of Christ I choose to vote for someone who actually has strong family values. And I believe that person is Barack Obama. Cheating and divorce are no longer uncommon, but that doesn't justify it. And, if McCain is willing to lie and cheat on the person who stood by him, waited for him while he was a POW, and cared for their children all while suffering trauma of her own then I don't trust him. And that is enough for me to say that this Christian will be voting Democrat in '08.

Stephen H   July 11th, 2008 1:45 pm ET

CNN, is this all there is to this story? I'm disappointed because I've always wanted to learn more about McCain's personal life. Based on the little information provided here, no wonder the press and McCain's campaign are keeping this stuff under wraps. Might this information provide clues as to McCain's character? At this point, I feel like McCain is getting a free ride from the press for whatever reason. He seems to be innoculated from Gramm's idiotic comments via that weak attempt to distance himself and the media's acceptance therein. We'll see if ol Teflon John will take the heat that he deserves for having such a moronic economic advisor.

Belle2   July 11th, 2008 1:39 pm ET

Obama fans read the LA Times article before you start your condemnation campaign. Just think what had happened; he was a POW and this, undoubtedly, changed him. Carol's accident changed her ; and I am sure being on her own when he was a POW also changed her. When he returned, they were two different people. For those who are married, do you believe your marriage could withstand these problems. If you are not married, you don't have a clue. I was a military wife for over 20 years and I know each time I was alone I became more independent and when he returned there was a lot of adjustment required. That is nothing compared to years as a POW and a devastating accident. Walk a mile in his shoes before you decide he should be condemned.

deeinjersey   July 11th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

I am disgusted with the double standards in this election. If Obama had this kind of past, he wouldn't have made it past Iowa, let alone through the primaries. And if he had, the Repugs and the MSM would have ripped him to shreds over this.

Why is Obama's character always questioned, but Super Patriot John McCain's is not?

Leaving your devoted, disfigured wife for some rich blond 20 years younger just doesn't sit well with me. Do people really want a person like this to be president??? The more I hear about his past, the more disturbed I am.

Chris   July 11th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

LOL…JM is saw an opportunity to get into money and he took it!!!
It so interesting the GOP and the Conservative Right will not point this out about him now but, did back in the Priamaries of the 2k campaigns!!!
I will ask this again, you didn't put him in office in 01 so, why now?

ErikS.   July 11th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

Well, some people do it the right way and aquire a divorce when out of love, no matter the cirumstances, while others would rather cheat and dishoner their vows all for their personal joy. McCain did the right thing by him and his ex.

Rave   July 11th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

Old Fart with cock and bull stories about Vietnam… who wants to listen to his crap with the soaring economy and rising fuel costs..
Get out McCain… you are tooooo dumb to understand American people. You will be a perfect fit to rule Iraq.
OBAMA (2008 -16)

Joe Reg   July 11th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Mcain can not keep up with what is hapenning.

It is tough for him to be president.

In any event the repubs are going down hill this year.

Go Obama go!

Obama 08 & 12.

eric wayne   July 11th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

so he left his wife and kids because his wife was in a car accident only to chase after a woman half his age.

Real Americans Vote Issues   July 11th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

You know I have to give the GOP one thing; no matter how bad, or screwed up people are, at least they stick together. Unlike the whiny, divisive, hateful avid "Clinton supporters" (I'm not talking about those who are still voting Dem, I'm talking about those 'Still for Hill' and PUMA nuts, we have to start distinguishing the two, they aren't the same. People who were supporting Clinton, and are now voting for Obama (regardless of their personal feelings) are common sense Democrats. Now there is another group, people who are still thinking they are going to force this country to suffer for 4 years under McFlap, who are ignorant as ignorant can be, they aren't Democrats, they are those "we vote values, not issues" people, the ones who think he's a Muslim or a Socialist, we're not worried about all of you. We're moving on. The GOP will not succeed, no matter how try to force us to believe all these Reps really are going all out for McCain. There house is not in order, they should try again in 2016.

Jean Alex   July 11th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

McCain only cares for money.

Bob   July 11th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

Finally some truth about McCain!

Venus   July 11th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

Ha,ha,ha,haaaaaaaaaaaa! I love it! It's about time we got to this!!!

McSame cheated on his first wife and left her after she waited all those years while he was POW! Or… resting on his behind while real men fought the war for his freedom!

What makes people think that he will be a better C-I-C than Obama?
McSame didn't fight in the Nam war… he was a POW! He was shot down!

LeMonton   July 11th, 2008 1:26 pm ET

McCane divorces his first wife and marries rich Cindy (million$$$) within weeks. (adultery???). Then the years of abuse (physicological at the very least). Maybe as a senator of Arizona all that did not deserve scrutiny from the national press, but as a candidadte for U.S. president, McCane's record toward women has to be looked closer. I wonder if the press could take time off from barbeque at McCane's "humble" houses and do a little research here.

JO   July 11th, 2008 1:26 pm ET

Hmmmm …. and what about Nancy and Jane Wyman, Ronnie's 1st wife?

Farrell, Houston, Tx   July 11th, 2008 1:24 pm ET

McCain's character is one of the reasons why the people of Arizona don't support him and Cindy ain't no lady. Being a POW doesn't excuse foul character.

Anita from Arizona   July 11th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Nancy Reagan knows a snake when she sees one.

Wouldn't you like to know?   July 11th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

This has nothing to do with McCain being elected. Since when is divorce a reason not to elect someone President?

Von Bismark Vienna   July 11th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

mcBUSH has all along been a gold digger and now wants arab black gold wholesomely treading on iraqi skulls and swimming in american blood.

Ken   July 11th, 2008 1:21 pm ET

Geezus. She had to manage one blithering idiot in the '80s, and now she's expected to endorse another one?!!? No wonder she is less than enthusiastic.

I think her lack of enthusiasm parallels that of the [R] party in general, except for the mindless 29% true-believers who "enthusiastically" think we are on the right track. Everyone with working neurons can see what a pathetic failure the [R] regime has been: they were in charge of ALL branches of government — executive, congress, courts — and failed abysmally, with no way to blame it on the [D]s.

fairandstraight   July 11th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

Oh, I am sure McCain supporters will think it was great for him to leave his wife for the opportunity to marry a younger rich woman. His service in the military will cover for all of his terrible judgement.

Maybe he will do likewise and take the opportunity to leave this country and become the prime minister of a foreign country like Iraq since he wouldn't mind our troops being there for a hundred years.

FLIP-FLOP EXPRESS   July 11th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

TOUGH TIMES for Johnny Boy, Tough Times

McGaffe   July 11th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

HA HA HA!!! Another tongue biting endorsement. Repubs truly hate McCain.

Another old white woman for Obama   July 11th, 2008 1:19 pm ET

LMAO
Even Mrs Reagan can't stand this guy. Nice to get the real story. And in his own lying words. McDoom. Read the whole story.

DEMOCRAT   July 11th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

Honestly - why should this man get my vote after treating an innocent woman so badly? That is just so insensitive. Poor thing had no clue that she did not have a great marriage.

McSleezy & Bimbo   July 11th, 2008 1:16 pm ET

So much for the first wife. Nancy was right to strain the friendship because he walked away from his wife and kids to marry Cindy Lou, the Beer Bimbo Queen.

I don't want John McSame and First Lady Bimbo in the White House.

RickytheGriff   July 11th, 2008 1:16 pm ET

"McCain's decision to divorce his first wife, Carol, who was particularly close to the Reagans, and within weeks marry Cindy Hensley, the young heiress to a lucrative Arizona beer distributorship."

Great pick PUMA members! He sounds like a great guy! He dumped the wife that nursed him back to health after being a POW for a millionare trophy wife!

Independent Colorado   July 11th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

This is exactly what I have been saying to everyone. This is McCain's character. He is a true opportunist. He cares about nothing but money, just like most republicans. He does care about Hipanics, Blacks, or any minority for that matter. He voted against MLK day and will probably never allow a Cinco de Mayo day for Latin America. If this is America then I think we should be able to recognize that one special day for all cultures. Just a thought.

FLORIDA Voter for Barack Obama   July 11th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

BUSTED!!!

Connie   July 11th, 2008 1:13 pm ET

To all of you people out there that thinks that this man has character ,integrity and judgment look the words up in the dictionary. It say McBush is a flat out lair just like Bush/Cheney. How he treated his ex-wife and now his present wife shows what he thinks of women.If you watch when ever he and Cindy are together she walks behind him, he boards the plane ahead of her. Then watch the Obama's,Barack shows Michelle and every women he appears with respect. That is a picture of a great man.

Connie'Hussein"Sturgeon from Indiana

j williamson   July 11th, 2008 1:13 pm ET

You have to love those Republican "family values" folks! Way to go Mc Cain! P.S. What was that VILE word McCain sputtered at his wife (that several reporters over-heard) not too long ago, in a moment of anger? I couldn't write it here as CNN doesn't print such nasty stuff - true story folks!

proud army and navy mom   July 11th, 2008 1:12 pm ET

pitiful! mccain is still a middle-age crazy trying to prove he still can.

I read the entire article and i counted numerous lies by mcsame. Has anybody noticed that this man is a habitual liar? Or he makes up stuff and then conveniently forgets what he said… which is worst?

K.   July 11th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

If a younger, richer country comes along will he ditch US too?

If the media gave his gold digging ways half as much attention as the Rev. Wright fiasco, Ron Paul would be the GOP nominee.

CNN = Jerry Springer of news   July 11th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

McCain is a mysogonist dog! It is fine for insurance companies to pay for viagra, but not birth control, he wants to repeal Roe v. Wade, he votes against equality for women, and comments that his injured wife 'was not the same woman' he married! Was he the same man after being a POW for 5 years, probably not quite.

Then there is the theory of killing Iranians with cigarettes, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran - threats of which can cause oil speculated prices to rise, forgetfulness about how he votes on important issues, using an economic advisor who thinks we are a bunch of winers and the bad economy is in our head - all in less than a week!!

Why isn't the media all over these stories?? One blurb here and there, then on to a half hour discussion about Jesse Jackson's comments about Obama. Just pathetic…

I am against all this flagrant use of sound-bites to stir controversy among voters just to increase ratings. This presidential race is the most important one since I've been able to vote and I am worried people will not hear the correct facts and make decisions based on these sound bites.

I realize the dumb so-called reality shows (most of which are also rigged to produce controversy) are very popular, but please, do not dumb down the news! Voters need correct information, and more of it regarding the issues, to make informed choices. I have had to teach myself to do a lot of journalistic research to get correct information, which is the job of the media, but many others are not willing to take the time to do that. Please CNN, don't let us down just because you are owned by a big company that is part of the economic problems of this nation!

Tim   July 11th, 2008 1:10 pm ET

Not a McCain supporter, but why is this news???

Truth B Told   July 11th, 2008 1:09 pm ET

Yep now you got it CNN! You did not post my last comment but you nailed it with this picture!

What does John McCain and & Ronald Reagan have in common?

Alzheimer's Disease!

We will always LOVE you Ronnie! No disrespect to you!

But who can go thru a presidency with McCain's consistant memory errors! He has the begining stages of Alzheimer's and he doesn't want to admit it! Come on DIG 4 the Truth and you shall find!!!

It's a shame that he is a candidate!

OBAMA 08

H-ROD   July 11th, 2008 1:09 pm ET

EVEN NANCY KNOWS A SLIME BALL WHEN SHE SMELLS ONE SHE HAD TO HOLD HER NOSE A ND ENDORSE THIS LYING FILP FLOPPER( EEUUH ) !!!! (SI OBAMA PUEDO)!!!!!!

Substance not Rhetoric   July 11th, 2008 1:05 pm ET

McCain leaves injured wife for younger rich wife. Marries her five weeks after the divorce. Flip-flops on every issue. Forgets almost everything. needs liberman whispering in his hear to get facts straight. Openly says he knows nothing about the economey. Tell america the recession is psychological and then his top economic advisor say it is only a mental recession and that america is a bunch of whiners. However nothing hardly is mentioned about it in the Media and Obama can't sneeze without being criticized.

How can you believe McCain feels your pain when he has no clue what you are going through. At least Obama worked alongside and in communities where job loss and poverty had affected the community. Yet Obama is the Elitist

McShame = Nearing the end of an erosion cycle   July 11th, 2008 1:05 pm ET

Nothing new that is the way McWar runs everything he lies ,lies lies he can't remember what he said or did 5 minutes ago .

So read on he has already been there done that McWar is nearing the end.

Senile = Nearing the end of an erosion cycle .

ANGIE   July 11th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

WHEN ARE WOMAN AND AMERICAN PEOPLE GOING TO WAKE UP TO THIS MAN WOMAN OUT THERE PAY ATTENTION LISTEN UP

MCCAIN=OPPOSE EQUAL PAY FOR WOMAN
MCCAIN=OPPOSES BIRTH CONTROL ON INSURANCE
MCCAIN=WANTS TO OVER TURN ROE V WADE
MCCAIN= CALLED HIS WIFE C– IN PUBLIC
MCCAIN= LAUGHED WHEN SOMEONE CALLED HILLARY B—
MCCAIN= JOKES ABOUT BEATING HIS WIFE

WAKE UP WOMAN JOIN THE MOVEMENT NO MCCAIN FOR WOMAN
VOTE OBAMA/HILLARY 08

T GUY   July 11th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

THIS GUY IS ON THIN ICE. TO OLD AND NOT SMART ENOUGH TO BE PRESIDENT. IT IS PAINFULL TO WATCH HIM COMMUNICATE . HE HAS VERY LIMITED ABILITIES TO MANAGE OR GOVERN ANY THING. WESLEY CLARK WAS 1000 % CORRECT……….

David Goldman   July 11th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

SO THE REGAN KNEW MCMORON IS A SLEAZE.

Ian   July 11th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

Calling McCain out on his affair with Cindy, and showing him next to a picture of a man who had alzheimer's during his presidency. You're tricky CNN.

Martin M. Ervin   July 11th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

Senator McCain, the straight talk express more like if opportunity knocks, answer…

makeshift   July 11th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

That's because hes a lecherous cradle robber.

Barry Goldwater   July 11th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

Carol was kicked to the curb.

Phil Gramm was kicked to the curb

Fallwell was kicked to the curb

Haggie was kicked to the curb

Time to kick "Pending Terrorist AttacK' Charlie Black to the curb

Time to kick Joe Lieberman to the curb.

There will be others….

king   July 11th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

bout time cnn.while she was criple!!

Phil in KC   July 11th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

I think the fact that her endorsement was luke warm is of little consequence. Primarily because her endorsement, itself, is of little consequence. Of course, I'm a Democrat, but do Republicans really care that much who Nancy Reagan endorses?

adm   July 11th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

Well! Well! Well!

Jan From Boca Raton, Fl   July 11th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

Look who's calling the kettle black. Nancy Reagan broke up Ronald
Reagan marriage. Shame on Nancy Reagan.

J. Dean Juno Beach, FL   July 11th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

DON'T EXPECT MORE FROM THIS "MATERIALIST" OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN. WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN IS WHAT YOU WILL GET FROM ANOTHER MISGUIDED, SELF PROCLAIMED POLITICIAN. WE CAN CALL OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN, A PERFECT DUPLICATE OF DISASTER GEORGE BUSH.
DOES ANYBODY CARES ABOUT 4200 YOUNG AMERICAN GI'S KILLED IN IRAQ ?

Herman in LA   July 11th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

I would take Reagan over John McSain any day…

Go Obama…

whiner   July 11th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

so,the promoter of 'WAR ON AMERICANS',and 'just say no',endorses the man who divorced his wife because she was in an accident,and he wanted a barbie doll of his own.

mk   July 11th, 2008 12:57 pm ET

Sounds like Nancy Reagan is painting a prettier picture than it maybe actually was.

Fred Rogers   July 11th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

Well this is not exactly the kind of family values and devotion to

"til love do us part"

that was part of the conservative republican "moral majority" hype of the 1980s.

Glad to see the GOP has compromised it's principles since then to give us a man like John McCain.

not important   July 11th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

Did Reagan ever say that American people are a nation of whiners?

Gorbashov   July 11th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

What????

Typical 'Republican Family Values'!

What a bunch of hypocrites!

saga4obama   July 11th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

"My marriage's collapse was attributable to my own selfishness and immaturity. The blame was entirely mine."- John McCain…."change you can believe in"?

Andy (McCains son from first marriage), a vice president at Cindy McCain's beer distributorship-LA times
special treatment…boy do those Lobbyist running the McCain camp have the right guy. i bet they are working real hard to get their man McCain in office so they can get their monies worth.
McCain…corruption and incompetence ?

Mike   July 11th, 2008 12:51 pm ET

Wow, McCain divorced his 1st wife after she was disfigured and lost her killer bod, only to remarry a much younger, prettier and wealthier woman he was having an affair with? No wonder Nancy no likee.

Bill Johnson   July 11th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

Wow, He dumped his old wife and got a hot new one. I might have to vote for this guy.

Eric   July 11th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

Sounds like she doesnt want him to be president either. She just put the final stamp on his chances with women.

KMAN   July 11th, 2008 12:48 pm ET

Yes Nancy … John McCain is a lowlife … it's simply not news to the rest of the Country!

Doris,Memphis,TN   July 11th, 2008 12:46 pm ET

Money, Money, Money!
MONEY

Minnesota against Johnny McSame   July 11th, 2008 12:45 pm ET

" But that friendship was strained in the late 1970s by McCain's decision to divorce his first wife, Carol, who was particularly close to the Reagans, and within weeks marry Cindy Hensley, the young heiress to a lucrative Arizona beer distributorship."

Well worded article. In reality, it should have said when he cheated on and mistreated his wife and married the millionaire beer lady.

Tom   July 11th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

Gee, I thought that McCain was the candidate of the Family Values party?

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