Throughout this campaign season, I’ve often times heard McCain referred to as a political “maverick.” A maverick, defined as “a lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates,” seems to be an accurate term to describe Senator McCain’s approach to various issues America faces today. Some definitions of maverick seem to have positive connotations, such as “someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action,” while other meanings, or synonyms, are somewhat negative, like the synonym “loner.” A New York Times article points out McCain’s different stances on domestic and international issues.

Pro-McCain forces praise his ability to look at issues individually and to make decisions that would be right for our country right now, rather than to simply stick to Republican ideology from the past. However, anti-McCain forces accuse his decisions as contradictions. For example, The New Republic published an article last summer entitled “Mr. Contradiction,” listing the history of McCain’s political decisions.

McCain’s referred to himself as a maverick a few times, such as when he said, “You know, I’ve been called a maverick, someone who marches to the beat of his own drum.” Palin, however, has repeatedly referred to her running mate as a maverick—a strategy that is somewhat tricky, appealing to some but turning off others. In reference to the nickname, McCain stated, “Sometimes it’s meant as a compliment and sometimes it’s not. What it really means is I understand who I work for. I don’t work for a party. I don’t work for a special interest. I work for you.”

I guess we’ll see if the nickname maverick’s an effective campaign strategy in less than a month. I can’t believe the election’s getting so close!