Here’s the real story: So-called conservatives dropped out of the 2008 race and mostly endorsed McCain instead of another conservative.
Early candidates Tom Tancredo, Sam Brownback and Jim Gilmore endorsed McCain before the primaries started. Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson were out before January was over and endorsed McCain.
Duncan Hunter was the only early conservative who endorsed a (somewhat) conservative, Huckabee.
How come? Did they expect jobs from McCain? Or did they hate Romney that much?