You can always tell when a formerly conservative lawmaker has moved, at least somewhat, in a liberal direction...
And that is when the New York Times does a major piece on him, and says he's evolved, that he's grown, that he's developed a new "sophistication", etc etc etc.
Check the article to which I've linked, and see how many times it says the above, more or less, concerning Mr. McCain. Quite a few times. Beware, Senator...