Why was being the 'media favorite' ok for McCain when he was "The Maverick"?

When McCain was "a maverick." But since 2000, he has distorted his position to such a degree that now we're looking back at the good ol' days when he was ociated with the Keating 5. McCain has used up all of his credit in the Maverick Bank and has well-earned the new moniker of "McSame."