This is an interesting psychological study. I think the stubborn, virulent opposition to supporting McCain in the general election (assuming he is the nominee) has more to do with cognitive dissonance than any actual patriotism or political calculation. It is very difficult for a person to be forced to change their minds about someone, or support a person they have so long outwardly abhored, especially when the abhorence was nurtured by their talk radio heroes. So, please, can we all agree that McCain is not the best nominee, but he is definitely better than Clinton, and a vote for McCain will not be seen as a showing of support, but rather as an anti-Hillary vote?
“So, please, can we all agree that McCain is not the best nominee, but he is definitely better than Clinton, and a vote for McCain will not be seen as a showing of support, but rather as an anti-Hillary vote?”
With respect, no we can’t all agree on this one. Your premise is that Sen. McCain would be less of a disaster for conservatives than Sen. Clinton would be. Myself and many, many, other conservatives would disagree with you on this. I personally see little meaningful difference in the political views of either candidate.
Perhaps what we could agree on instead is that GOP relies upon the threat of the latest boogeyman of the left to browbeat conservatives into voting for their candidate. What’s different this year is that many conservatives are loudly rejecting the probable GOP nominee as being any better of a choice.