For years, some of the purist conservatives have lamented the dearth of conservative purists, at least among those running for president; expressing disdain for McCain, Bush and Romney, and nursing their deep sense of woe. Had they one of their own, deep red and rock solid, they would … drop him in a flash for an ex-Democrat and a friend of the Clintons, howl him down when he said the words “vote your conscience,” and connive at his public demise. Ted Cruz can tell you what you need to know about purist conservatives, and their judgment and standards. And the story does not end with that.

For years, another kind of conservative purist had established himself as a cultural bulwark, foe of trash talk, tight clothes and loose morals, scourge of Bill Clinton and all he embodied, under the banner of “Character Counts.” His sexual past, his draft-dodging exploits, his financial extortions and distortions of truth launched a hundred careers, a thousand best-sellers, and a million laments that he and his wife should have ever come close to the center of power, much less have been given it twice.