Gerald Ford, Republican Unity

When someone dies--anyone--there is typically a lot of testimony about what a good person he or she was, and tales of the person's accomplishments are recalled to honor them. Their shortcomings or errors are only mentioned in passing if at all. This isn't surprising and I'm sure we'd all like to be remembered in such a way.
In the case of former president Ford, most people recall his integrity, how he help the nation 'heal' during a difficult time (Watergate/Nixon, the Vietnam war). Though I personally don't believe pardoning Nixon did anything to heal the nation. All it did was point out that there are some people that are above the law.
What struck me as important in all the recollections of GF, however, was the revelation from Bob Woodward, including taped interviews, that Ford opposed the war in Iraq, and thought it was a tremendous mistake. This was said back in 2004, but was withheld by Ford's request until after his death. Now it's some kind of thunderbolt? Why was he reluctant to speak his mind when he was alive?
Such recalcitrance illustrates a general problem with Republicans, even moderate ones: they refuse to speak their minds if it rocks the party boat in any way. They put their consciences and principles in storage for another time when they can trot them out to become indignant at something more important, like a Democrat's sexual indiscretion.
Another recent example is John McCain, someone I've lost all respect for. Although I didn't often agree with him on policy issues (the exception is his support for campaign finance reform), I always thought he had integrity. Now he has completely caved on habeas corpus, the torture of prisoners, and various other neocon positions. I wouldn't vote for him for dog-catcher at this point.
Republicans are excellent at rallying the troops to get behind any party platform, even if some of the soldiers find some of the planks quite rotten. This is often seen as a political virtue, and I suppose it is, if you believe winning at the cost of your integrity is virtuous.