Give Me a Maverick or Teach Me Chinese

I don't consider McCain or Obama to be mavericks unless in McCain's situation being a maverick means compromising core beliefs for the sake of "getting along", or in the case of Obama, it means trying to implement every socialist program that can be in order to destroy the most powerful nation in the world.

A maverick in this context is unlikely to methodically repeat whatever the party rulers have dictated is the party line.

Um yeah, politicians must compromise. That's how they get elected. And gov't has to offer some services, after all. Or what the heck am I giving them money for?

McCain & Obama are more likely to be puppeteers than marionettes, is the point.

a maverick is someone who stands firm on core principles not someone who waivers to please. Yes the services that should be offered were never to be quite so vast as Obama would have or for that matter as vast as what is currently the case.

Turns out it was coined after a Texas cattleman of the last name Maverick. Here are some alternate definitions to the one you provide:

"Maverick, a term suggesting independence of thought or action"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick

"1. a motherless calf
2. an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maverick

Also, I found out it was the name of a movie, and a cute little Ford speedster in the early 70's.

How is McCain being in accord with democrats, bucking the trend? Going with the crowd is the easy way. Conservatives are the minority, so if he really wanted to be a "maverick", he would side with them. Is he really using independent thought by siding with the majority?
Don't worry, I am voting for him, I just wish that he had been more conservative over the past few years. Of course, now I will vote for him if for no other reason than to spite the New York Crimes. Check out bamathought.blogtownhall.com