As I have said all along, many conservative seem more interested in settling scores than actually winning in 2008. I guess to be a ‘real’ Republican, you have to have complete “clerical” purity. Or, if you don’t, you have to spend months apologizing and claiming you’ve changed. If the GOP loses handily in November, don’t say you weren’t warned.
Complete purity is not a requirement, but a modicum of conservatism outside the national defense arena would be nice. The stench of McCain Finegold and McAmnesty still lingers strongly. "I've changed" doesn't ring true for recently held positions when the change is so diametric. We'll give John the benefit of the doubt that he's changed since the Keating five, but that's it.
Ok, I am sure I am gonna get flamed for this, but...
To me, I am looking at the big picture. I am looking beyond one Presidential election.
Even if I don’t get my number one choice of candidates, I can support others, but not Hucklebee and not McCain.
That is how I feel, YMMV.