(CNN) - Play word association with the name "John McCain" and "maverick" is certain to pop up.
After all, McCain's presidential campaign repeatedly dubbed the Arizona Republican "the original maverick" and late last month McCain's former running mate, Sarah Palin, urged a crowd in Tucson to "send the maverick back to the Senate!"
But there's only one problem: McCain, who faces a difficult primary challenge from the right, says he's no maverick.
"I never considered myself a maverick," the senator told Newsweek this week. "I consider myself a person who serves the people of Arizona to the best of his abilities."
McCain faces a primary challenge from former Rep. J.D. Hayworth and has come under criticism for being too moderate on a variety of issues, including immigration. Several leading Tea Party activists in Arizona have decided not to endorse McCain or Hayworth, criticizing both of their records while serving in Congress.
Palin, who remains popular with the conservative voters McCain is hoping to court, campaigned with the Arizona senator last month. It was the first time the two appeared publicly since their 2008 bid for the White House came to an end.
Following Palin's recent appearance for McCain, the senator's campaign released a 90-second video of the two .
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
John is not paying any attention to the comments that come up on the Arizona Republic's opinions site whenever he is mentioned. Most of those comments are about as negative as they can get, and also alot of people don't really care for his Republican challenger, JD Hayworth.
Unless being a maverick will help get him elected...then he's a maverick. Typical politician...Unless we can start hanging them for lying, cheating and stealing then they will never change..and unfortunatly neither will our country.
this guy built his entire image on being a maverick . . . no he's distancing himself from it. seems like he needs another ride on the straight talk express.
this guy built his entire image on being a maverick . . . now he's distancing himself from it. seems like he needs another ride on the straight talk express.
Wow this is just sad! I remember during the campaign John talking about how willing he was to work with the Dems for the good of the American people. Now he reminds me of Tanya Harding a short, funky shaped, red faced, mad troll! He is a maverick, he's not a maverick !! I think Sen. John McInsane your next move should be to switch your view on medical pot looks like your gonna need it real quick like!!
What happened to the mavericks McCain and Palin, does he have dementia, this old man needs to just hang it up, you are done McCain, washed up, even the cheerleader couldn't help you this time.
What happened to the 2000 McCain. What a pitty.
He has dementia, just imagine how close this man came to being president, he would not have lasted 4 years and we would of been stuck with Palin, OMG!!!!!!!
Maverick? McCain doesn't even look like James Garner or Mel Gibson for that matter. Shall we twitter? Ohhhhhhh Twitter...
Boy, got some great choices here. Maybe I'll run
John McCain who loser is he still here.
Hey Johnny Mc, your camp is the only people who EVER thought you wre a MAVERICK. Why don't you give your constituants in Arizona and break and NOT run again....Bail out of the race....or better yet perhaps your constituants will finally open up their eyes and NOT re-elect....
Being senile is no laughing matter. Otherwise, this would be funny.
McCain is losing his mind. This is common at a certain age, and he has reached that age!
There he goes – talking out both sides of his mouth again. You people carry on about taking back your country. Start with him. Toss him out.
Maybe if you had shed Sarah Palin before she wrecked your campaign, you'd be called Mr. President today.
Show Palin the door and shut it behind her.
Sarah called him a Maverick so much it started to sound absurd and I started laughing at him for letting her do it..
A "maverick"~! LOL..
All I could think of was the tv show of the 60's, starring James Garner.
I spent 3 years fighting in the jungle and this is the best we can come up with.
Interesting John never brings anything back to the state, no ear marks, pork.etc. What does he do for the state?
John McCain can go pretty far , as a politician and still never come close to the rest of the spin we hear every day . The man has earned respect ... free country , you dont have to agree ... hope one or two of you do , R.
Wow,
next he will be the TV show the apprentice !
McCain will be 74 years old this year. It's time he retires – or the voters retire him. The same can be said for Arlen Specter and the rest of the oldsters who have been in Congress for decades. McCain is not the worst of them, but new ideas are needed.
It is disheartening to see the vitriol against this man wo has served his country so well. That said, I've been disappointed in Senator McCain since 2008 when for reason unknown he picked he unprepared Sarah Palin as his running mate. His chief sin is that he has unleashed her as a force of ignorance and incivility in a time when we need understandiong, thoughtfulness, and the ability to listen. Thank you, President Obama.
No McCain, You are a maverick...
We need some young blood in the Republican Party, if only because social attitudes are evolving.
My party can not survive trying to sell holier-than-thou superiority instead of success and diverse cultural acceptance.