McCain began 2001 by breaking with the new administration on a number of matters, including HMO reform, climate change, and gun control legislation; McCain–Feingold was opposed by Bush as well.Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. "John McCain Report: The 'maverick' and President Bush" , The Arizona Republic (March 1, 2007). Retrieved December 27, 2007. In May 2001, McCain was one of only two Senate Republicans to vote against the Bush tax cuts.Holan, Angie. "McCain switched on tax cuts" , Politifact, St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved December 27, 2007. Besides the differences with Bush on ideological grounds, there was considerable antagonism between the two remaining from the previous year's campaign.Carney, James. "Frenemies: The McCain-Bush Dance", Time (July 16, 2008). Retrieved August 11, 2008.Drew, Citizen McCain, 5. When a Republican senator, Jim Jeffords, became an Independent, thereby throwing control of the Senate to the Democrats, McCain defended Jeffords against "self-appointed enforcers of party loyalty". Indeed, there was speculation at the time, and in years since, about McCain himself leaving the Republican Party, but McCain had always adamantly denied that he ever considered doing so.Edsall, Thomas and Milbank, Dana. "McCain Is Considering Leaving GOP: Arizona Senator Might Launch a Third-Party Challenge to Bush in 2004", The Washington Post (June 2, 2001). Retrieved May 10, 2008.Cusack, Bob. "Democrats say McCain nearly abandoned GOP" , The Hill (March 28, 2007). Retrieved January 17, 2008. Beginning in 2001, McCain used political capital gained from his presidential run, as well as improved legislative skills and relationships with other members, to become one of the Senate's most influential members.Kirkpatrick, David D. "After 2000 Run, McCain Learned to Work Levers of Power" , The New York Times (July 21, 2008). Retrieved August 11, 2008.
mccain began 2001 by breaking with the new administration on a number of matters including hmo reform climate change and gun control legislation; mccain–feingold was opposed by bush as wellnowicki dan and muller bill "john mccain report the 'maverick' and president bush"  the arizona republic (march 1 2007) retrieved december 27 2007 in may 2001 mccain was one of only two senate republicans to vote against the bush tax cutsholan angie "mccain switched on tax cuts"  politifact st petersburg times retrieved december 27 2007 besides the differences with bush on ideological grounds there was considerable antagonism between the two remaining from the previous year's campaigncarney james "frenemies the mccain-bush dance" time (july 16 2008) retrieved august 11 2008drew citizen mccain 5 when a republican senator jim jeffords became an independent thereby throwing control of the senate to the democrats mccain defended jeffords against "self-appointed enforcers of party loyalty" indeed there was speculation at the time and in years since about mccain himself leaving the republican party but mccain had always adamantly denied that he ever considered doing soedsall thomas and milbank dana "mccain is considering leaving gop arizona senator might launch a third-party challenge to bush in 2004" the washington post (june 2 2001) retrieved may 10 2008cusack bob "democrats say mccain nearly abandoned gop"  the hill (march 28 2007) retrieved january 17 2008 beginning in 2001 mccain used political capital gained from his presidential run as well as improved legislative skills and relationships with other members to become one of the senate's most influential memberskirkpatrick david d "after 2000 run mccain learned to work levers of power"  the new york times (july 21 2008) retrieved august 11 2008