"McCain needs the Right to stop loathing him, and he seems to realize it."
I don't know that I "loath" him, but I certainly don't trust him. He's absolutely unreliable, I don't care how strong a stance he takes against fiscal irresponsibility. I think he's in it for the attention, and not for conservative principles. And please don't ask if I'd vote for him rather than Horrid Hillary (at least, not first thing in the morning!).
You've described the senior senator from Arizona quite accurately. McCain is a political opportunist, with little use for principle.
Thus, by definition, he is not trustworthy. Without the ballast of right and wrong to guide him, McCain will say and do those things which yield him political popularity -- without regard to their impact on the nation and its people.
Since "political popularity" is defined by the polls and the polls are largely defined by the MSM, we know who McCain would be saluting -- day in, day out.