As the 22nd season of "The View" got underway Tuesday, a mourning Meghan McCain was absent from the panel, but that didn't stop her co-hosts from talking about her and her eulogy for her father, the late Republican Sen. John McCain, whose funeral was Saturday.
"Meghan is spending time with her family right now," Whoopi Goldberg said, explaining Meghan's absence.
The group, which now includes "Fox & Friends Weekend" alum Abby Huntsman, called attention to the line in Meghan McCain's eulogy where she said, "the America of John McCain has no need to be made great again, because America was always great."
It was a line that drew applause, even at a funeral.
"It was so moving to see our friend and our colleague rise to that occasion," Sunny Hostin said. "We all know she's devastated by the passing of her father ... but boy, she said during her eulogy, those of you who didn't see it, she said John McCain told her, 'Show them how tough you are,' and by God, she showed everyone how tough she is."
Joy Behar said she had been particularly moved by the moment when the gathering, which included people from both sides of the aisle, sang "God Bless America" as a group, saying she thinks the present administration doesn't "love the country the way these people do." While singing, she admitted, she got "a little verklempt."
And new girl Huntsman got a bit more personal.
"Meghan is like a sister to me, and this was the hardest thing she's ever been through....," Huntsman said. "Her dad was her best friend ... Listening to her in that speech, I was so proud of her because it was like her dad had passed the torch to her. She was now speaking for the family."
Huntsman's position on "The View" staff marks the first time in the show's history that conservatives have filled two seats on the morning panel discussion.
