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No one group controls the Republican party. It is a constant power struggle" Well, it certainly has been a struggle, but the liberal/neo-con wing has been in solid control for the last 20 years, much to the detriment of the party as a whole. (two bushes and a mccain - ugh!)
Neocons have had an influence. But I disagree the Liberals in the party have been controlling it for the past 20 years.
While I'm not a fan of McCain's, I wouldn't describe him as Liberal. He's a far cry from Spector, Collins and Snowe, true liberals all. They may ruin a lot for the party and conservatives, they don't control it. As for the Bushes, they are moderates who more often lean conservative (on moral and war issues), but sometimes lean liberal (on fiscal and immigration issues).
Some people seem to confuse fringe right with conservative.