By simply calling for Chertoff’s resignation, McCain can, with little risk to himself, demonstrate that he understands the frustrations and demands of the American people.

3. Save the SAVE Act.  The SAVE Act, which would add 8,000 Border Patrol agents and require employer verification of new hires’ work eligibility, is currently bottled up in the Senate Judiciary and Finance committees. McCain could easily twist a few arms and have the SAVE Act placed before the full Senate for a roll call vote. This would focus the country on the issue, and the vote will force double-talking senators to definitively choose a side.

4. An Enforcement-First G.O.P. Platform. In the past, some have debated that the Republican Platform is an unnecessary liability. Every four years, the liberal media spends too much time, and ink, vilifying the Republican Party over varying planks in the platform, while completely ignoring the Democrat Party platform.

But, since platforms are a part of our political tradition, McCain should demand that an enforcement-first approach to border control/security be a principal theme of the platform. Border security should be the first issue addressed in the body of the text. In fact, the subject fits squarely under an important title every American understands: “National Security.”

5. Vet the Right Veeps. No one expects McCain to announce his vice presidential selection for at least a few weeks. But now that McCain has obtained enough delegates to be the party’s nominee, all eyes are on his vice presidential search. McCain can use his selection to signal that he is serious about border security. While “enforcement-only” conservatives would be thrilled if McCain announced that he was formally vetting Tom Tancredo for the Number Two spot, I acknowledge that Tancredo can be painted as a divisive figure who could be demonized in 30-second attack ads. Duncan Hunter would also be a fine choice, but he lacks strong national name recognition (as evidenced by his poor presidential campaign performance this election).

Enter – re-enter – Mitt Romney. McCain does not have to formally announce Romney as his running mate, but, if the two start to appear together in public hatchet-burying ceremonies, voters will get the message – especially if Romney stumps for McCain while talking about border enforcement. I believe Romney is an excellent choice - particularly given Romney’s expertise on economic matters.

Let’s see if McCain takes any of these five steps and eases our concerns about his commitment to border security.