he never called himself a "maverick" -- despite 2,000 incidents of him doing exactly that on the 2008 campaign trail -- McCain is rewriting his personal history and forgetting that news reports are forever. Like this one from 2007:

An angry, profane exchange between Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and another Republican senator last week prompted a new round of questions Monday about whether McCain's legendary temper is becoming a liability to his campaign for the presidency.

In a private meeting just off the Senate floor, McCain got into a shouting match Thursday with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex., over details of a compromise on immigration legislation. Cornyn accused McCain of being too busy with his campaign to take part in the negotiations, prompting McCain to utter, "F... you."

McCain spokesman Danny Diaz acknowledged Monday that a "spirited exchange" took place but said media reports over the weekend had exaggerated its intensity.

McCain's political handlers have plenty of experience in explaining McCain's salty language and strident attacks. His temper has ranged far and wide, directed at other members of the Senate, congressional staffers, government agency chiefs, corporate chieftains, high-ranking military officers and even teenage campaign volunteers.

McCain has shouted at people for any number of reasons, including errors of judgment, disagreements on public policy and even how to set up a podium.

"In McCain's world, there aren't legitimate differences of opinions," said David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union, which differs with McCain on some conservative issues. "There is his way and there is evil. That is how he approaches issues. That is one of the reasons for conservative nervousness about him."

His temper has been an issue for years.

In the 2000 presidential bid, McCain was dubbed "Senator Hothead" by Newsweek. . That year, he won endorsement from only a few Senate colleagues, not so much because of his conservative credentials but because of his frequent attacks and volatile personality. "McCain notes," which offer apologies after heated words, are held by many members of Congress.

It's a nice to adopt the Mr. Rogers tone when on television, but no one -- not any of the media McCain loves to court to get these little Sunday show gigs -- will deny both McCain's nasty temperament nor his potty mouth.