Places where McCain was a better candidate than Bush

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Most areas that swung Republican, were more anti-Obama than pro-McCain (Ark., Appalachia) and the home states Mass. and Ariz., but are there any areas where the swing was caused by McCain being a better candidate for the area than Bush?

No. Arizona and Massachusetts were both more Democratic in 2008 than in 2004.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

McCain wasn't a better candiate then Bush in any respect.  He is another example of why moderate republicanism and watered down conservatism lose time and time again in presidential politics.

He inspired no enthusiasm among base conserative voters.  In fact he caused many to stay home as they viewed the election as a choice between two liberals. 

He was a mess on the campaign trail, saying ridicuclous things that made it easy for his opponents to attack him (100 years in Iraq, economy is fundamentally sound).  Bush was a much more disciplined candidate, sticking to his main themes and generally not making mistakes. 

McCain was a lousy debater. The guy brought up hair transplants in a presidential debate lol.  McCain was too repetitive with pork barrel spending and Maverick every other word.  Bush wasn't the best stylistically, but he hammered home his points and was able to come off to the average voter as well intentioned and genuine.

In 2000 and 2004 Bush was a terrific candidate.  Let's not let our personal views of him cloud that.  In the same vein, I hated Bill Clinton, but readily admit that he was a great candidate, which is why our side could never beat him.

You also forgot, McCain said that he does not use a PC.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Cycles exist, and conservatism will surely rebound; it just may be that the Republican Party will have died before conservatism revives. Conservatism could revive in a new party that appears as the Democrats split or in an existing Third Party (most likely Reform among existing Parties). Political parties can die, as did the Federalists and Whigs. 

If the Republicans could survive the Great Depression, at a time when they had less than 20 out of 96 senate seats, then they can survive almost anything. The Republican party is not about to "die" anytime soon.