[dead]

That's total hogwash. The rank and file GOP (or conservatives) never got a chance to vote on the conservatives in the primaries, because the first four states eliminated them, in their open elections. The first four states represent less than four percent of the US population.

Your post is interesting, but factually wrong on just about every single point.

The first four primaries were Wyoming, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Nevada.

Of those, McCain lost three. His one win was in NH, where he edged out Romney 38%-32%. He lost the other three.

Additionally, of those four, only Nevada is an open primary. Wyoming and Nevada are closed. New Hampshire is only "open" if you are independent. Those registered in a party cannot cross party lines to vote.

[Scythian]

The fact remains a Rino won the primary ...