As the war for the party’s soul is waged, pragmatism will compete with principle, and the old guard of the GOP will be demanded by reformists to ignore their dearly held beliefs in exchange for the prospects of future political victories. But to sacrifice the party’s integrity so cheaply would be a tragic mistake. John Quincy Adams, our sixth president, once famously declared, “Always stand on principle, even if you stand alone.” It’s time to heed his advice.
