By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood, who said he strongly supported John McCain’s bids for the presidency, is not offended by the way President Donald Trump reacted this week to McCain’s death.

Even the American Legion criticized Trump for initially deciding not to keep the American flag about the White House at half-staff until McCain’s burial.

Meeting with reporters in Normal, LaHood declined to criticize the president.

“I think it was a lot of nothing,” said LaHood.

“The president came out with a strong statement on supporting Sen. McCain. (Trump) complimented his service. (Trump) talked about what a great American he was, and I think that statement stands on its own,” LaHood said.

The congressman said he supported Senator McCain over then-Texas Governor George W. Bush for the Republican nomination in the 2000 presidential campaign.

LaHood called the late Arizona senator and Vietnam POW an American hero.

“John McCain is somebody that served us well in Vietnam, and in the Navy, and in the U.S. Congress,” said LaHood.

“He is a man of principle. He is a man of integrity. He is a man that stood up for what he believed in, and his voice and his example will be missed in the U.S. Congress.”

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]