He was considered a fairly reliable conservative who generally voted against abortion rights, gun control and tax increases.

A1 Republican Candidates Debate The Republican presidential candidates met for a debate that showed them all maneuvering to emphasize their credentials on national security and as reliable conservatives.

Governor Bush discovered in the primary season that indirect assurances that he would name only reliable conservatives were not sufficient.

In recent years, Mr. McCain has made a concerted effort to mend fences with Mr. Bush and reassure the Republican base that he is a reliable conservative.

McCain cites Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, two reliable conservatives, as models for his own prospective appointments.

A onetime Democrat who became a Republican on the eve of his first run for the House in 1972, Mr. Lott has proved a reliable conservative in social and fiscal causes.

"It is going to take some work to get back," he said, adding that he had received calls from two dozen activists on Monday morning seeking assurances that Judge Alito was a reliable conservative.

When Justice Souter was nominated by President Bush's father in 1990, the White House and others said he would prove a reliable conservative; instead, he proved a profound disappointment.

In the end, Mr. Brownback said, social conservatives were simply not inclined to go on faith that Ms. Miers was a reliable conservative.

The Reagan and Bush Administrations have sought reliable judicial conservatives, not the pragmatic compromisers who tend to thrive in public office.