Sen. Thune: McCain ‘a hero’ to ‘millions’

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) on Thursday praised Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), calling him a “hero” to millions.

The comments came after the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix said Wednesday that McCain had been diagnosed with brain cancer.

“The diagnosis was — made this an incredibly sad day, as you would expect, on Capitol Hill,” he said during an interview on CBS “This Morning.”

{mosads}”John McCain is beloved up here on both sides of the aisle. He is a hero to me and to all of our colleagues and millions of Americans and people literally all over the world.”

Thune said everyone is praying for McCain “as he battles this.”

Thune called McCain “relentless” and said he is a “warrior.”

“He is a remarkable individual,” he said.

The tumor was discovered after the Arizona senator underwent a minor procedure last week to remove a blood clot from above his left eye.

Political leaders from both sides of the aisle on Wednesday praised McCain, calling him a fighter.