Image source: Daily Press   BY ELIZABETH HAGEDORN ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS   Some top Republican lawmakers are backing off several of their party’s hard line stances, including recent criticism of U.N. ambassador Susan Rice.   Rice, who is believed to be President Obama’s top pick for Secretary of State, has been the subject of harsh attacks from Republican Senator John McCain, who’s said he’d do everything in his power to block her nomination.     But appearing on Fox News Sunday , the Arizona senator told Chris Wallace he’d be open to hearing Rice’s testimony.   “I give everyone the benefit of explaining their position and the actions that they took, and I’ll be glad to have the opportunity to discuss these issues with her.”   McCain’s softened tone comes comes just weeks after he and South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham held a joint press conference, threatening Obama with a Senate filibuster should he choose Rice.   But, Graham, appearing on ABC’s This Week was tight-lipped when asked if he’d still oppose the rumored Rice nomination.   “When she comes over, if she does, there will be a lot of questions asked of her about this event and others.”   But the reversal on Rice from the two senators wasn’t the only change of tune heard Sunday.   Graham indicated he’d be willing to violate Grover Norquist’s “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” if capping deductions to raise revenues meant reaching a deal with Democrats over the so-called fiscal cliff.   And on social issues, like immigration and abortion, McCain offered his party this bit of advice.   “We are going to give a much more positive agenda. It can’t be just being against the Democrats, and against Harry Reid, and against Obama. You’ve got to be for things.”   “as far as young women are concerned, I don’t think anybody like me – I can state my position on abortion, but other than that, leave the issue alone.”   And these remarks from McCain had a writer for New York Magazine reminiscing, writing:   “There's the maverick we remember, sort of.”