Why don't conservatives like mccain?

I really don't get why conservatives are so staunchly against John McCain. Think about this quote from a Jeff Jacoby article:

'Conservatives bristle at the thought of a Republican president who might raise income and payroll taxes. Or enlarge the federal government instead of shrinking it. Or appoint Supreme Court justices who are anything but strict constructionists. Or grant a blanket amnesty to millions of illegal aliens. Now, I don't believe that a President McCain would do any of those things. But President Reagan did all of them. Reagan also provided arms to the Khomeini theocracy in Iran, presided over skyrocketing budget deficits, and ordered US troops to cut and run in the face of Islamist terror in the Middle East. McCain would be unlikely to commit any of those sins, either.'

It really does amuse me to see conservatives so adamantly opposed to John McCain, because while the Democratic Party may be having trouble nominating a candidate, Democrats are not polarized over the issue. The party will regroup and rally behind whoever wins when November rolls around. But the Republicans are truly divided over their own candidate; many leading conservatives hate him, and some would even rather see Obama or Clinton in office.

While I think this will greatly help the Democrats, it does make me wonder, why are conservatives so opposed to this pro-life, pro-war candidate?

Conservative want the government to be small and benign and unobtrusive. McCain is not likely to be a candidate who embraces these principals.

I'm not sure there IS a candidate who will, but that is another matter.

My observation: Sen. McCain does not hold fast to Conservative values and many instances can be cited where he abandoned same - If Senator McCain attempts to identify Obama/Clinton as a liberal on a few things - They could retort, 'Well, Senator, you supported our party. You supported us on that issue,' whatever it might be - and he could not deny - the party did not leave him.

He isnt very conservative in his views...
his views on roe vs wade have changed over time (the whole abortion issue)
he supported a legislation that would have allowed illegal immigrants a way to citizenship
he voted against some tax cuts
he's concerned with the environment
etc etc, he's just not very 'republican'

Conservatives want someone whi is both a fiscal conservative and a social conservative. McCain plays lip service to the latter, but doesn't even bother doing that much to the former.

McCain has proven to flip flop on party issues. To co-author bills with Kenedy and Finhold (probably spelled wrong) We don't know what he is capable of doing.

McCain is still a conservative. He earned the mavrick reputation only because he crossed party lines on a few issues. But he only did that when the public was clearly on the opposite side of the issue from the neocons. Like tax breaks for the wealthiest americans, and allowing our goverment to torture other human beings. But make no mistake, he is still a conservative war-monger. As long as he continues to say we are going to stay in Iraq, he will never get elected. People have had enough, and aren't falling for the BS being dished out by Bush and McCain.

Yes he's still a conservative, but I wouldnt underestimate him. He has some independant and moderate support, and that is going to be a problem for the democrats, especially if they dont get their act together and continue their inparty fighting...

Interesting answers, especially the different perceptions about how conservative McCain is. I think justsearching put it best, we just don't know what he's capable of.