I think his only regret is that his bill isn't going to be part of the package. He doesn't care what is in any bill. What he wants is his name to get a little bit of that neon light treatment.Um...that is his regret.
He even said so.
""They will come up with a bill. But, unfortunately, Republicans will not be involved in the negotiations. And I -- and I regret that." —John McCain
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000003027472
No, that's not what he is saying. He wants it to sound like he is speaking for Republicans in general. He isn't openly saying that he's mad because he personally isn't going to get any credit which is what really bothers him.
What is really funny, in a bitterly ironic way, is that he is dodging a bullet by not getting in on this boondoggle in spite of himself.