Spare me the revisionist nonsense. 2008 was a weak GOP field all around, but McCain won largely because Rudy fell in Florida and McCain cleaned up in New Jersey and New York which Rudy had gotten rigged to help him.
Without a doubt, the Huckster too played a big role in giving the nomination to McCain. By splitting the so-con 'abortion is the only issue, period' vote between himself and Romney, the RINO squishes and 'Rat crossovers got their man.