(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
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Are -you-kidding- ME?
If the man can't remember his own campaigns, nicknames included, maybe it's time he goes to a home rather than the Senate.
Too bad he can't get his story straight.
He's no President either!! Thank God.
Oh please! Old man McCain would say he's a liberal democrat if he thought that would get him re-elected.
So he's not gonna get all mavericky?
McBush finally said something true. He's just another Republican party tool.
Just think folks, he and chillbilly Palin wanted to lead this country. What a joke!
Pathetic. The ultimate "flip flopper" does it again. Anything for a vote. Talk about no integrity.
It's time to send McCain and the rest of the 'do nothing incumbents' into retirement and elect some leaders who are more interested in improving the quality of life for the people they represent than standing with the members of their party to make sure nothing gets done. say goodbye to the old cronies.
Actually....he's right.
John McCain USE to be a maverick...bucking the GOP establishment when it was genuinely the right thing to do. Now, with the ideological purity requirements that the GOP applies to its members of Congress...and the jack-boot, lock step, voting patterns....the GOP is no longer a party that represents the diversity of America...let alone have room for someone who USE to be his own man like McCain.
McCain only represents republicans from Arizona. The rest of us have no representation in the US Senate. We need to elect a democratic senator so we, too, can have representation.
I think a lack of moderate politicians is the problem in Washington. If McCain is truly a moderate, then he should receive the support of the people. We have to many politicians who lean to far one way or the other and are completely unwilling to work with one another. We need more moderates, moderates compromise and get things done.
I guess the Tea Party wants to see our country deteriorate even more rather than realize that we're all going to have to work together instead of against one another to fix the damage that's been done.
John, your loosing me.
I think McCain is having a major senior moment didn't he campaign on being a maverick ? Maybe he better tell his pal Palin he changed his mind and he's not a maverick after all !!
ej in tacoma
Well if he wants to serve our needs of Arizona, he should start listening to more Arizona citizens. And he should try coming up with solutions for a change instead of always blaming Obama or someone else for our problems. Time for a change!
Let the him voted out .He;s not with the people but few righ element who want status quo.
It's time for the bitter John McCain to get out of politics, and retire to a wind farm where he can blow off thereby not hurting anyone. Surely the people of Arizona have had enough of him. Lordy Lordy he's something.
Of course he is no maverick. Walking lock step with your party, refusing to work with the anyone other than your party and spreading hate through the country is no maverick. He is just another run of the mill republican. I am an Independent, but I like that the Democrates have a diversity ranging center to far left. The leadership on both sides are more interested in power rather than what is best.
The movie that comes to mind is "The Stepford Wives" but instead it's really "The Republican Senators." They finally got to McCain and he is now just another clone.
Unfortunately, John has simply become an old fool
How quickly he forgets wearing the Maverick logo like a tattoo in the last election
Obviously just a tired old fool
If Arizona has any sense, they will recognize it's time for the pasture for this old Maverick
Bye Bye John ...
Typical politician. They will say or do anything at the time to get elected or re-elected even it means downright lying and denying everything they have stood for in the past. Makes ya want to throw up!
John McCain....You Lie!!!
He's gotta say it. Anyone who refers to themselves as a "maverick" is clearly a tool, but, then again, I could say the same thing about that guy who ran for president with Sarah Palin. Oh wait...
He was a maverick for the Presidential election, but now for his state's Senatorial election he says that he was NEVER a maverick. Can you say hypocrite that would call himself a lipstick lesbian if he thought that it would get him elected?