Operation Dumbo Drop

I'll tell you what, Ben Smith's propaganda outfit is doing a hell of a job.

Top Republicans in Washington and in the national GOP establishment say the 2010 campaign highlighted an urgent task that they will begin in earnest as soon as the elections are over: Stop Sarah Palin.

Interviews with advisers to the main 2012 presidential contenders and with other veteran Republican operatives make clear they see themselves on a common, if uncoordinated, mission of halting the momentum and credibility Palin gained with conservative activists by plunging so aggressively into this year’s midterm campaigns.

There is rising expectation among GOP elites that Palin will probably run for president in 2012 and could win the Republican nomination, a prospect many of them regard as a disaster in waiting.

Many of these establishment figures argue in not-for-attribution comments that Palin’s nomination would ensure President Barack Obama’s reelection, as the deficiencies that marked her 2008 debut as a vice presidential nominee — an intensely polarizing political style and often halting and superficial answers when pressed on policy — have shown little sign of abating in the past two years.

Steve M.'s pessimistic to the point where the economy's so bad in 2012, even Palin can win when the economy is in shambles. He may be right. I personally think since Palin's entire raison d'etre is being a professional victim as politician, this is playing right into her hands.

The Republican political class clearly wants to disengage from the Tea Party in 2012 and win with a non-Moose Lady type, but they don't have a choice now, as Steven D. points out.

"A line has been crossed between all levels of government and the American people," said Angela Cox, president of the Johnson County Tea Party. "We are not shy when it comes to raising our voices when need be and also praising those and their actions that actually do the 'will' of the American people.

"We will be keeping a watchful eye on all in Congress and state legislatures and maintaining open communications with those that are smart enough to listen," she said. "Those who neglect the voice and opinion of the American people will be repaid with very short terms in office, and their political careers will quickly come to an end."

This is not an idle threat, as the remaining GOP centrists in the House found out. The handful of centrists left in the Senate will be purged in 2012.

So that brings us back to Ben Smith's game at Politico: Going after Palin pleases the political class, rallies the Tea Party Anger Machine, and drives traffic.

Three for three is a good night in anyone's book. it doesn't matter if Politico is right or not. Palin loves being a victim, the political class loves being elite, and Politico loves the traffic. Winners all around.

Except of course for the Dems, which is the larger point, and why this mummer's show of "GOP establishment versus Sarah Palin" will continue through 2012. The next election is already being framed as GOP versus Tea Party for control of the board, and the Dems don't even matter anymore.

Not even as enemies.