Republicans also turned to McCain, the occasional party maverick with the gold-plated reformer's resume and a demonstrated appeal to independent voters. GOP leaders covet that appeal as they look ahead to fall elections that will test their grip on power.
"Obviously, when you're looking at the issue of congressional reform, the first person you turn to in the United States Senate is John McCain, and we've done so," said Sen. Rick Santorum (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa.
...
Not that many years ago, Republicans were furious at the Arizona senator for his ceaseless, and ultimately successful, efforts to pass legislation designed to reduce the impact of big money on politics.
The high command in the House was doubly angry, fuming that the McCain briefly used the office of the Democratic leader as a base of operations to secure the votes of GOP rebels needed for final passage. The legislation had been at the core of McCain's unexpectedly strong campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, when he drew heavy support from independent voters and swamped candidate George W. Bush in the leadoff New Hampshire primary.
We here are always glad when someone like Senator McCain is given the limelight. He is a good and faithful servant of his constituency and the American people. I for one wouldn't be a bit mad at him if he told these people who turned their backs on him in spades to take a flying f*ck at a rolling doughnut. However, John McCain is also loyal to his party. Even though they essentially cast him out and called him crazy in 2000.
His integrity is why we like him. But wouldn't it be nice if just once he really hit back?
Here's hoping they really listen to him and this isn't some cheap stunt for the mid-term election cycle.
