On MSNBC, Lester Holt touted McCain's "maverick reputation"

On the May 3 edition of MSNBC Live, host Lester Holt referred to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as "[a] senator with a maverick reputation." Media Matters for America has noted numerous instances in which media figures have uncritically called McCain a "maverick" or cited McCain's "maverick reputation" without noting the numerous instances in which McCain has fallen in line with the Bush administration or the Republican Party establishment on issues large and small, as Media Matters has documented.

From the May 3 edition of MSNBC Live:

HOLT: Pete Wilson, we are out of time. But, Governor, thank you so much for spending time with us. It was good talking with you.

FORMER GOV. PETE WILSON (R-CA): Pleasure, Lester.

HOLT: A senator with a maverick reputation whose support of the war in Iraq may hurt him, but new polls say John McCain has taken the lead in some key states. What's at stake for Senator McCain? What does he need to say tonight? We're going to talk to his wife, Cindy, in just a moment.

—B.J.L.