You lost because John McCain is a weak candidate and almost indiscernable from Obama.
Palin was the only thing that excited conservatives—you know, your BASE. The people that actually vote for you, instead of just calling you wise and great because you are more liberal than other Republicans.
Lets don’t get carried away with stupidity. McCain wasn’t Reagan, but abortion wouldn’t have found a safe harbor and the military would have remained a priority, there wouldn’t have been a “stimulus package” and Iran would have been slapped down the first day. Try to retain some reality.