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You say, in your #33, "I will not hold my nose and vote for McCain against a democrat." I think the pragmatism of Ronaldus Magnus should prevail in politics:

"Die-hard conservatives thought that if I couldn't get everything I asked for, I should jump off the cliff with the flag flying--go down in flames," Reagan told the New York Times in 1985. "No, if I can get 70 or 80 percent of what it is I'm trying to get, yes I'll take that and then continue to try to get the rest in the future."

I want Fred to win the nomination, but if he doesn't, I'll support the nominee of my party, then try to get the party back on track. Less radical, but more conservative.

Die-hard conservatives thought that if I couldn't get everything I asked for, I should jump off the cliff with the flag flying--go down in flames," Reagan told the New York Times in 1985. "No, if I can get 70 or 80 percent of what it is I'm trying to get, yes I'll take that and then continue to try to get the rest in the future. When the enemy is within, success and power only encourages it. Sometimes that enemy only has one chance at domination and that's when you strike, even when it's going to be a setback for you.

You must always try to stand on principle if you're a conservative. Otherwise, there is no attraction to it because principle is what defines it.

McCain betrayed Republican principles when he betrayed the Constitution(Gang of 14), threatened our sovereignty(McCain-Kennedy) and put limits on free speech(McCain-Feingold). I intend to be part of the cure to this cancer and show America that no American is greater than the principles that founded it.

As far as pragmatism, I don't trust McCain to appoint conservative judges without making a few backroom deals. I definitely don't trust him on immigration, no matter what he says.