Yes, but McCain practically had to become Hayworth to beat him. A wag said that Hayworth won the primary, but he did it in John McCain's body. (Of course, McCain promptly reverted the day after the primary.)
Did not help that John had an attack ad every 30 minutes on talk radio.....
SP swooped in to bail McCain out. “The was being loyal, and that’s great because McCain brought her out of obscurity.” Meanwhile, McCain has used his position to destroy this country and other countries. Loyalty to a snake is not virtue.