Like you, knowing that McCain is probably not a useful idiot or puppet, but more likely one of the Soros et.al. true believers doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy about him. In fact, that makes him a lot more dangerous IMO.
I like the way you put that - McCain is either a Useful-idiot or a True-believer.
Folks can debate which is more dangerous, but at least we've established the starting point of the argument. ;-)