WATCH: Biden’s McCain Eulogy Turns Fiery as He Addresses Politics, Values and Abuse of Power

On Thursday, former Vice President Joe Biden offered a stirring eulogy for his longtime friend Sen. John McCain during the Arizona memorial service.

Speaking of their time together in the U.S. Senate, Biden’s words turned fiery when he spoke about the legacy that McCain has left for politicians and “his intolerance for the abuse of power.”

He started off by talking about how McCain was driven by values, not politics.

“It wasn’t about politics with John. He could disagree on substance, but the underlying values that animated everything John did, everything he was. He could come to a different conclusion, but he would part company with you if you lacked the basic values of decency, respect,” Biden said.

He continued on: “John’s story is the American story. That’s not hyperbole… It’s the American story — grounded in respect and decency, basic fairness. The intolerance for the abuse of power…He could not stand the abuse of power. Wherever he saw it, in whatever form, in whatever country. It’s always about basic values, fairness, honesty, dignity, respect, giving hate no safe harbor, leaving no one behind and understanding that as Americans, we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves.”

Then, taking a strike at the current atmosphere pervading Washington, Biden said: “With John, it was a value set that was neither selfish, nor self-serving. John understood that America was first and foremost an idea –audacious and risky. Organized around not tribe, but around ideals. Think of how he approached every issue. The ideals that Americans have rallied around for over 200 years, the ideals the world has repaired to.”

Watch above, via Fox Business

[image via screengrab]