elocomotive
A useful idiot.
I struggle to think of a major piece of Republican legislation he didn't vote for (Bush tax cuts don't count because he later voted to extend them), or a major piece of Democratic legislation he voted for since the start of the W Admin. Just one.
He spoke out a lot the past few weeks about the healthcare bill and not being thrilled about its effects on Medicaid. Do you really think he wasn’t going to vote for it?
He speaks tough then tows the party lines. By definition, he isn't carrying out adminstratively what he speaks about in public. In my book, that's a textbook little bitch move.
I already said I don't ideologically align with him. He's a Republican. I'm not. But if you're going to have an opposition person, would you rather have a complete moron like Jess Sessions, an obstructionist like Mitch McConnell, a meglomaniac who appeals to the lowest common denominator like Trump? Or a guy like John McCain.
I also said he towed the party line less when he was younger. Honestly, most politicians get a little bit rigid/stupid/senile as they reach old age, and some are there far too long (I actually support an age maximum of 70 for all national offices). But McCain's voting record does show a high degree over bucking the party line over the years. From FactCheck.Org
...in 2007 McCain voted in line with the president’s position 95 percent of the time – the highest percentage rate for McCain since Bush took office – and voted in line with his party 90 percent of the time. However, McCain’s support of President Bush’s position has been as low as 77 percent (in 2005), and his support for his party’s position has been as low as 67 percent (2001).
Keep in mind that many votes are either procedural or on unanimous issues, so even a Democrat would have "voted with Bush" about 40 percent of the time. By that benchmark, McCain voted more often with the Dems in 2001 than he did his own party on votes that were contentious.