Just to add to my previous point:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/art...demonizat.html
"McCain has been such a public figure since his presidential run in 2000 most Americans only know him from his public persona the last six years and his Vietnam POW history almost 40 years ago. His 18-year solidly conservative record in Congress from 1982-2000 was conveniently overlooked by fawning members of the media and is thus not part of the public's current impression of John McCain."
The article also mentions that
www.voteview.com ranks him as the third most conservative member of the senate.