I just heard the interview with Mr. Hansen, regarding McCain's "Maverick" label, and I felt I had to write. Mr. Hansen's analysis was FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED! McCain got his label from bucking the Republican party on politically-sensitive (i.e lots of media coverage) issues - to ignore those votes in the analysis makes Mr. Hansen's approach flawed from the start. Secondly, on the analysis put forth by Mr. Hansen, McCain voted with the Republican party 51 of 70 times on critical issues (I believe those were the numbers). Is that statistically different than the other members of the party? You imply that it is not, but I would like to see/hear the proof. If I had the data, I could tell you (If you haven't figured it out, I am a statistician by trade.).
Finally, I caution you, Ms. Maddow: you refer to McCain's "Maverick" label and the press' inaction in challenging it as "frustrating." That is a personal emotion applied to a non-personal relationship, and thus demeans your credibility. Please be more professional in your apporach to national issues that are not personal in nature.