Well, she couldn’t beat him in a primary vote, so maybe a terminal disease is the way to go.

And if that sounds utterly ghoulish, thank Kelli Ward.

Ward didn’t even wait to allow for the news of Senator John McCain’s brain cancer diagnosis to settle in before offering to knock him out of his seat.

Said Ward:

“Senator McCain has an aggressive brain cancer that is both devastating and debilitating. When the time comes that Senator McCain can no longer perform his duties in the Senate at full capacity, he owes it to the people of Arizona to step aside,” Ward said in an interview with an Indiana radio station this week.

Ward continued, saying that if McCain does leave office, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey would be required to appoint a replacement senator to serve until the 2018 midterm election. When asked if her name was being considered as a replacement, Ward responded: “I certainly hope so.”

“Because, you know, I have a proven track record from years in the state Senate of being extremely effective and of listening to the voice of the people that I represent,” she said.

You know, I get that the show must go on. I totally understand that we have to keep moving and that there is protocol in place to handle situations like this. What I don’t understand is how someone can have such an utter lack of empathy and compassion, and still think they have what it takes to lead.

At minimum, her lack of tact shows a horrendous character flaw that will likely show up in other ways.

And while I’m no fan of John McCain, he needs prayer and patience right now. He doesn’t need vultures like Kelli Ward picking at his flesh, as if he’s already dead.

Speaking of which, this isn’t the first time Ward has walked this particular path.

Last year, as she tried to topple McCain, she commented that he would probably die in office, due to his age.

Term limits. She could have just said, “We need term limits.”

That inability to grasp the most appropriate and professional terms could very well have lent to her defeat.

Her tasteless comments drew well-deserved backlash, including this response from Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va):

In all the ways I measure good Senate colleagues (honor, class, integrity) Kelli Ward falls short. Ppl like her aren't welcome in the US Sen

— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) July 22, 2017

People like Kelli Ward are what's wrong with politics today. The people of AZ deserve representatives with dignity & decency.

— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) July 22, 2017

And he’s right.

Senator McCain has vowed to fight and to continue on, thanking his well-wishers.

If we’re being very honest, he may not be back. We should hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

All that being said, Kelli Ward doesn’t get a pass. Her naked, ruthless ambition, even at the cost of decency is appalling.