J.D. Hayworth in 2010 AZ Senate Debates

On Principles & Values: Twice informally ranked among dumbest members of Congress

But it fell to Hayworth, a glib galoot who was twice informally ranked among the dumbest members of Congress during his 12 years in the House, to deliver the dead-on zinger that summed up where McCain has found himself in this strange and angry political season, struggling not to win the presidency but simply to hold on to the job which defines him, and which is all he has left. "It's really sad to see John McCain, who should be revered as a statesman, basically reduced to a political shape-shifter," Hayworth said.

So it is. McCain would go on to trounce Hayworth in the August primary, by 24 points, but not before turning himself into an almost unrecognizable political creature.

On Principles & Values: McCain has been reduced to a political shape-shifter

"These are the facts," McCain said. "J.D. Hayworth was a lobbyist. He was in late-night infomercials. He said he didn't d due diligence. My God man, didn't you know that this was a group that was taking people's money to say it could give them free government money."

Hayworth said, "It's really sad to see John McCain, who should be revered as a statesman, basically reduce to a political shape-shifter," he said, then turned to his opponent. "John, you've changed positions so much in this campaign maybe we'll have to set up an extra podium for you depending on which John McCain is going to answer which question."