Is there a such thing as an establishment GOP candidate? John McCain believe it or not has come out of the wood work I believe as the base of the GOP in congress since losing the election. The tea partiers are backing him up. Another run? I'm just saying, just saying....
McCain sacrificed his principles (many of which I disagreed with) to appeal to the Republican base, making him look more conservative than he was. The only thing I disagree with him more on than his previous principles is the fact that he changed his principles to appeal to the GOP base.
If only that were so, but I would agree with you if and only if McCain would've switched back to being a moderate. The 2008 election changed John McCain for the better.