John McCain won the Republican presidential primaries by running as a pro-life Reagan Republican, committed to low taxes and a strong defense.

John McCain won the Republican presidential primaries by running as a pro-life Reagan Republican, committed to low taxes and a strong defense. We assume that he will therefore pick a running mate who shares these views and whom conservatives can eagerly support. We assume, as well, that he is more interested in winning the White House than in redefining the Republican party, and will not try to make the party platform reflect each of his views. Should McCain's judgment err in these respects, however, conservatives will not be powerless. Securing the vice-presidential nomination requires a majority of delegates to the party convention, and those delegates can abstain. A majority of the delegates from any six states can nominate someone else, and can also contest portions of the platform. Most conservatives are willing to support McCain this fall, with varying degrees of enthusiasm, and are also willing to work with him before and after the election. But conservatives are not, and should not be, willing to go along with McCain no matter what. Delegates should be prepared to stand for their principles, and the party's future.