O’Reilly: McCain’s vote against Obamacare repeal was personal

PHOENIX — Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly said he had no doubt U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) voted against the so-called “skinny repeal” of Obamacare in July because he wanted to settle a personal score with President Donald Trump.

O’Reilly said McCain was likely still angered over Trump saying the senator wasn’t a war hero because he was captured while serving in Vietnam.

“I think it’s personal,” O’Reilly told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos on Tuesday.

“I think McCain was very insulted – as he should have been – and I told Trump that face-to-face. I said, ‘You can’t be disparaging John McCain’s POW status. The guy’s as brave as they come.'”

Though Trump later made a half-hearted effort to apologize, O’Reilly said McCain was not one to let a comment like that go.

“I don’t think McCain has ever forgiven him.”

Trump called the vote “a tremendous slap to the face of the Republican Party” during an appearance on an Alabama radio show this week, though McCain denied his vote had personal motivations during a “60 Minutes” interview.

Despite understanding the personal angle, O’Reilly said he was still taken aback to see McCain’s “no” vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

“I was surprised that he wouldn’t vote for the reform of Obamacare when most Arizonans are getting hammered on their health insurance premiums and deductibles,” he said. “I was very surprised.”

The senator was one of three Republicans to vote against the bill in July. He said after the fact that he voted in the negative because the bill did not do what politicians promised and called for a bipartisan solution.

O’Reilly scoffed at the idea of a bill written by both sides of the aisle.

“McCain came out and said, “I want a bipartisan solution’ and I’m going, are you living in the land of Oz or what? There’s not one Democrat who would vote to repeal Obamacare.”

Follow @KTAR923