TUCSON – In their first joint appearance since losing the 2008 presidential election, Sen. John McCain and former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin reunited here Friday in an attempt to bolster his conservative credentials in the face of spirited primary challenge. Revisiting many of the same lines and themes used during their presidential run, Palin told an estimated crowd of 4,000 at the Pima County Fairgounds that McCain deserved re-election to a fifth term because of his lead role in the battle against President Obama and congressional Democrats. “When the pundits and talking heads said, conservatism, it’s dead ....