The problem with McCain is that he wasn't a conservative. When it comes down to voting for the liberal or liberal lite the leaches vote for the liberal and the conservatives stay home.
We have the same problem with Romney.
If you want to believe that’s why he lost, believe it. I’d say the reason is he was just no competition for the charismatic Obama. Like Dole vs Clinton, we are heading down the same road because of an inability to believe that most voters are ignorant of issues. That’s not going to change anytime soon. They don’t care about issues. They want a feel-good President. We’ll only win with one of those ourselves. Sad but true.