Senator John McCain has often had the image of being a maverick, but now, a year after his loss in the Presidential election, he has become more hard line, even on issues that he once seemed to be flexible.
For instance, his close relationship with Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham seems to have cooled a bit, at least on the subject of global warming, where both senators along with John Kerry, are working on legislation.
But also, he is now closer to Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader, with whom he usually has had disputes. And he is extremely harsh on Obama on just about everything, despite his independent image. Only on Afghanistan is he fully supportive of the President.
McCain faces a primary battle, which might explain his hardline conservatism. But he also is fully supportive in public of his former running mate, Sarah Palin, even when she condemned his campaign staff, always managing to say something pleasant about her and her future role in the Republican party.
As always, John McCain is mercurial, unpredictable, and ultimately, inscrutable!