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White House aide dismisses McCain view, says 'he's dying' By The Associated Press Posted May 10, 2018 at 7:30 PM In this Oct. 31, 2017, photo, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to reporters following the weekly Republican policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington. ▲ In this Oct. 31, 2017, photo, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to reporters following the weekly Republican policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington. ▲ --> WASHINGTON — A White House official dismissed a view expressed by Sen. John McCain about President Donald Trump's CIA nominee, saying Thursday at a staff meeting that "it doesn't matter" because "he's dying anyway," two people in the room told The Associated Press. Kelly Sadler was discussing McCain's opposition to Trump's pick for CIA director, Gina Haspel, when she made the comment, according to the two people, who described feeling shocked and stunned by the remark. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door communications staff meeting. The White House did not dispute the remark. In a statement, they said, "We respect Senator McCain's service to our nation and he and his family are in our prayers during this difficult time." The Hill newspaper first reported the comment. The 81-year-old Arizona Republican was diagnosed in July with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. He left Washington in December and underwent surgery last month for an infection. Sadler is a special assistant to the president. She did not respond to a request for comment Thursday evening. McCain's wife, Cindy McCain, responded with a tweet tagged to Sadler: "May I remind you my husband has a family, 7 children and 5 grandchildren." Most Popular East Medford residents awaken to find KKK recruiting flier May 8 at 6:58 AM Legendary Phoenix wrestling coach Mondale dies May 4 at 1:28 PM Jackson County targets chronic court skippers May 7 at 12:36 PM S. Medford baseball coach on leave after drinking before game May 10 at 7:06 AM Pro-gun measure clears first hurdle in Jackson County May 9 at 12:09 PM Guest Opinion: Conservation Fund must be renewed May 6 at 2:01 AM Community mourns loss of legendary Phoenix coach Mondale May 4 at 9:13 PM Erickson flying high: More than 100 employees hired May 7 at 5:05 PM Medford woman accused of pot scissors attack May 9 at 11:55 AM Flamingos demand a charitable ransom May 4 at 4:39 PM It's titled 'Phoenix, Oregon,' but movie shot in K Falls May 8 at 2:05 PM Couple's rare Kaiser hatchback gets TV treatment May 7 at 2:01 AM © Copyright 2006-2018 Rosebud Media LLC. All rights reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com ~ P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501