I would be held to a higher standard…. I was especially obligated not to disguise my own selfishness as counterfeit patriotism….

For the politician who promises to put patriotism before selfishness, who promises not to lie, and then reneges, does more harm to the public trust than does the politician who makes no issue of his virtue.

– John McCain, Worth the Fighting For, Chapter 12, “Straight Talk,” page 379, emphasis mine