Actually, the NuRepublicans (all those ‘moderates, democrats’ etc) support McCain. It’s the CONSERVATIVES who have the problem with McCain’s liberal leanings.
*sigh*
Where McCain will get his best mileage with conservatives is dangling the contrast between the SCOTUS nominees he says he is likely to offer up with the ones that Obama is likely to offer up. Even given my political animus to McCain, I will admit its a compelling point.
Of course precedent dictates that McCain, true to his "Maverick" title would throw us under the bus with a liberal nominee just to get a little love from the NYT.