Transcript for McCain says in biopic: ‘I’m a human being and I’m not a maverick’
We’ll take a look at a candid new documentary on the life of senator John McCain. The 81-year-old is home battling terminal brain cancer and helped make the film and Paula Faris is here with an early look. Good morning. Good morning. We do have an advance look at this new documentary which airs memorial day. In it John McCain gets extremely personal as he comes to terms with the end of his life revealing his many triumphs and many failures. I’ve had 60 years in service to this wondrous land and I am so grateful. Reporter: It’s an intimate new look at senator John McCain as he reflects on his political and personal life while battling terminal brain cancer. You know, these doctors keep talking to me about people who if you tell them the truth then they just give up and die. That you really want — I keep saying to them, just tell me. Just tell me. That’s all I want to know. Reporter: The candid new documentary “John McCain: For whom the bell tolls” airs this memorial day on HBO. There’s two things I want to accomplish, the first I want the American people to know I’m a human being and I’m not a maverick and I have made mistakes. The second thing that he wants to get out of this film is to bring back bipartisanship in the senate. Let’s crust — trust each other. Reporter: He’s been recovering in his Arizona home since his treatment and surgery for an intestinal infection last .but through the film he shares both his disdain for the divisive political climate and his own regrets like not choosing then Democrat Joe Lieberman as his running mate in 2000. I should have said, look, we’ve got a hell of a campaign anyway. Joe Lieberman is my best friend we should take him but I was persuaded by my political advisers it would be harmful and that was another mistake that I made. Reporter: Now the maverick of capitol hill has made peace with the time he has left. I’ve been tested a number of occasions. I haven’t always done the right thing. But you will never talk to anyone that is as fortunate as John McCain. He is filled with so much gratitude. They started filming this just three weeks after his brain cancer diagnosis last summer. You’re going to hear from several former presidents, Clinton, Obama, George W. Bush with you he’s very candid including the failure of his first marriage and talks about his time in captivity but filled with so much gratitude for life. Straight talk has been his hallmark. Thank you, Paula.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
