I'll bite, I guess.
Hey, Doctor: I'm picking on your post, not because I disrespect your opinion, but because you've offered a lot to think about.
The John/Paul camps formed from the beginning of Beatlemania, mostly among their young, female fans. I know because my ex-girlfriend at the time was a Johnny, not a Paulie. Even into her adulthood, John could do no wrong, Paul could do no right.
Two other things to consider:
1. John abdicated his position as "Chief Beatle" around the Sgt. Pepper's era. Blame it on anything you like (Yoko, drugs, Beatle-fatigue, etc.) But there was a power vacuum within the group. After Brain Epstein's death, who but Paul could step up and assume some kind of leadership. My wife commented on John's lack of interest in the "Let It Be" sessions (from the film) until...Billy Preston walked in with George. Suddenly, John takes over: "We need to get these instruments tuned", etc.
2. Compare Lennon's comments to Paul's comments in the post-breakup years in the early 70's. IMHO, John did a hatchet job on Paul in the press. A lot of people took sides with one or the other as a result.