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SORT of answers your query..
mav·er·ick
ˈmav(ə)rik/
noun noun: maverick; plural noun: mavericks
1. an unorthodox or independent-minded person.
"a maverick among Connecticut Republicans" synonyms: individualist, nonconformist, free spirit, unorthodox person, original, eccentric; More rebel, dissenter, dissident, enfant terrible; informalcowboy, loose cannon, bad boy "he was the maverick in the family, the only one who valued freedom over an inheritance" antonyms: conformist
2.
North American
an unbranded calf or yearling.
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Just in re the 1st def, he lost his ability to think for himself (ONE way to 'read' it) and fell in line, albeit, the WRONG line....
WRONG! McCain was the MSM's choice for the 2008 presidential election and thus their "go to" guy whenever they wanted someone to criticize the standing Bush Administration........and what better way to promote him than to label him "The Maverick"......You got to admit, that's a pretty cool nickname....
The MSM did not promote him to win, they promoted him to win the primary knowing he would have no chance to win the general........and they were right.
And that's why you've never heard John McCain referred to as "the Maverick" ever again.
The End