Just saw your post...
I think we agree on this issue. I understand why people feel they have been failed. In a sense they have. But the greater danger, I believe, is the split of the party. McCain is not the person most conservatives want as a president. His time to pay should come when and if he runs in 08 (at the primary level).
If he should be the nominee, which looks doubtful, but you never know, I would hope that people would chose him over the democrats that are being mentioned as potential candidates.
Oh well, rant over.
I know what you mean about not handing the other side a victory they otherwise couldn't win on their own.
Let's hope prospects for 2008 are much better (in terms of a field of candidates) than they do now.