[Jeff Smith]

The irony is that McCain is incredibly comfortable in the GOP. I think it is because he likes being thought of a maverick.

[RecallJeffords]

There is truth to what you say. The Republicans have a history of tolerating self-proclaimed mavericks like McCain. The Democrats tolerate no deviation from the party line and are cleaned out. When was the last time you saw a pro-life Deomcrat? Every one of them, from Gore to Gephardt, even to Jesse Jackson, had to swear a blood oath denying their pro-life views; the alternative is that they wer eout of the party. The irony of all this is that the liberals in the Democratic Party will lecture you that they are the party of openness and tolerance. NOT!! Republicans have always been open to mavericks (although in my view McCain is just a liberal wannabe, and he laps up the fawning press).