I think you're mixing up ideological purity with electability...which, of course, may be kind of an uncomfortable thing to think about. But what you call "inconsistantly nuanced positions" other people see as reasonableness and a willingness to at least consider everybody's interests. McCain's an electable Republican precisely because people can feel that they and their interests won't be entirely ignored; that McCain will actually behave like the President of the entire country, and not just one faction*. Which, seems to me, is the basic definition of a President in a democracy.

Maybe you think you'll get less from a moderate President, but really, how much are you going to end up with, over the long haul, from policies jammed down our throats that will, someday, be reversed when power changes hands? You might lose more than you would have otherwise because of the backlash generated by ill-feelings; revenge is a dish best served cold. Why ask for trouble like that?

I still find it funny how I'm supporting a Republican and you're supporting a Democrat. Too much politics causes brain damage, I think.

(*--As far as I can tell right now. Still two years to go and lots of muck to rake.)