What would McCain have to do to be seen as a “hard as nails, kick butt conservative” in your eyes?
There are some things he can do now while he's still a senator and continue on as president. For starters:
1) Denounce and immediately draft legislation to repeal McCain-Feingold and all other such unconstitutional assaults on free speech and the first amendment. He can champion the cause while he remains a senator and on through his presidency should he gain that office.
2) He should immediately denounce McCain-Kennedy and any other such proposed legislation advocating amnesty for illegal aliens and should champion the causes of securing the borders and enforcing the immigration laws.
3) He should immediately denounce McCain-Lieberman and any other such proposed legislation advancing the moronic liberal politically inspired theories of man caused global warming and should aggressively defend against any Democrat attempts to legislate, regulate, appropriate tax dollars, or otherwise distort or encroach upon constitutional limits or rights in such regard. And this includes fighting against any international treaties related to global warming.
4) He should act as a conservative not a liberal or RINO. We're interested in defending the constitution and advancing conservative causes. We're not interested in supporting politicians who work with, compromise with, ie, cave-in or surrender to liberals or liberal causes or big government solutions. We want representatives who fight for our constitution and defend limited government and our individual and states rights. He should kick liberal butt, not kiss their asses.
5) Obviously, he should remain and continue advocating pro-life, pro-family, pro-liberty issues. No abortion. No embryonic research. No gay marriage. No gun control. No encroachments on free speech or any other of our constitutional rights.
6) He should defend against spending and high taxes. He should advocate for closing down obsolete, corrupt, or unconstitutional departments and agencies. He should advocate for cutting taxes and cutting government at every opportunity.
7) He should be committed to national security and a strong national defense. Never give-in. Never retreat. Never surrender.