Just because he's the nominee doesn't mean he should have any say.

The right-wingers are now terrified that McCain may have a hand in crafting the Republican platform.

Conservative activists are preparing to do battle with allies of Sen. John McCain in advance of September's Republican National Convention, hoping to prevent his views on global warming, immigration, stem cell research and campaign finance from becoming enshrined in the party's official declaration of principles.

McCain is "really out of step with the strong majority of his party," said Myron Ebell, director of energy and global warming policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, which opposes McCain's positions on climate change. "He might get what he wants. And he might get a change. But I don't think it's going to sit well with a lot of Republicans."

Don't expect the "liberal media" to spend much time talking about the fractured Republicans, though. The Beltway Elite LOVE John McCain - he invites them to barbecues and feeds them fried chicken, after all. Washington "reporters" have a VERY low price tag on their souls and their principles, and fried chicken will do it.