McCain can't be held responsible if he loses. Liberals are never to blame for their own failures.
He's run as himself, and will be the nominee, because he got the necessary votes. It's his campaign, he is who he is. He'll be responsible for what he does. But conservatives who sit out and pout, helping the DEMs win with a sizable mandate, will have themselves to thank for the socialism that will follow.
This same thing occurred to me as well. WHEN McCain loses in November, it will be those of us refusing to compromise our conservative principles and vote for him who will be blamed, by other republicans, for his defeat.