“Bill Clinton was not nearly so liberal as many people made and continue to make him out to be. He actually signed a lot of the conservative legislation that Congress passed in 1995-1996.”
I agree he was more of an opportunist than an ideologue, but he was “beholden” to liberal activist groups (as well as the mainstream liberal special interests) and did their bidding more times than not. He would throw the “mushy middle” a bone (to make them think he wasn’t “as liberal as they would have you believe”) and sit down with his true friends and partake in a feast, laughing at how easy it was to fool the American people day in and day out. Some, but not enough, of us could see right through him though. Still can.
Bill Clinton certainly went along with what liberals wanted, but he did so for opportunistic rather than ideological reasons. Since people seemed to approve of the legislation he signed in 1995-1996, he campaigned on it. Republicans who attacked Clinton often did so in such a way as to repudiate the conservative programs they themselves had initiated.
McCain, like Clinton, is more opportunistic than ideological. I see no reason he won't take be more than happy to stab conservatives in the back any time doing so would benefit him. I'm sure the Democrats will reward him nicely.