Strong defense is only a portion of what one looks for in a Conservative- One who is deficit in other respects, regardless of his military credentials is to be rejected. So, in a word, yes it is conservative to reject a candidate who is not Conservative, thereby accepting the inept Democrat.
Now might you answer a question for me? What makes you think that putting a traitorous bastard in command would be any better? Shall our troops be forced to salute one so devoid of honor simply because he is "our" traitorous bastard?
Even if that characterization of McCain were accurate, you have admitted you are willing to saddle them with an unqualified Dem traitor instead of a Republican "traitor" who will at least prosecute the war and has a pro-military voting record..
Please, don't start thinking you're doing the troops any favors by saddling them with Hillary or Obama. That dog won't hunt.