You are unique, imo. I personally know of no one that is completely unchanged in 10 years.
America. Together. Again
Fred Thompson for President '08
C'mon. Fred Thompson's mindset his entire career in the Senate was to "reform" the political process to the benefit of incumbent politicians, and to surround himself with moderates and Democrats in a meaningless pursuit of "bipartisanship."
Thompson has long been known as a McCainiac, and was a driving force behind McCain-Feingold (which at one time bore his name). Even up to the passage of campaign finance reform, Thompson advocated spending limits on Senate campaigns.
It's not a mindset that erases overnight, particularly in one's twilight years.