[DoughtyOne]

If elected Clinton or Obama would not be the head of the Conservative movement. If elected, John McCain would be .

I think even McCain would refute that statement. He would nod to 'the conservative movement' but he'd never claim it.  Once elected, he'll drop any pretense.

What John claimed or didn't would be immaterial.  He would be the leading Republican office holder.  You know as well as I do the RNC wouldn't buck John.  He is their ticket to ride.  You know as well as I do that many leading Republicans have backed John's candidacy, knowing full well what his agenda is.

You don't think the RNC is going to abandon him or that Congressional Republican will abandon him, do you?

[norton]

Apples / oranges.

Of course the RNC will back McCain, they've been backing him from day one.

But he will not claim leadership of any conservative movement, he will nod to conservatism so long as he needs to sway some voters.

Once in office, once he is 'the leading Republican office holder' - he will revert to form and, yes, the party at large will revert with him.