McCain—himself—has never to my knowledge said anything but that he admired and supported Palin.
McCain’s senior staffers, on the other hand, were quite obviously mostly a pack of slimy weasels. This reflects on McCain’s judgment in personnel matters, certainly (add it to the things he’s shown poor judgment about) but . . . seriously . . .
Put yourself in Palin’s shoes . . .
The guy picked YOU out of everybody else in the United States to be his Vice-Presidential running mate.
Do you seriously think it would be easy—or even politically smart—to turn around and stab in the back the guy who gave you that honor and opportunity, and thereby put you solidly on the national stage (and incidentally made you a millionaire)? Really?
Really, really?
I think Palin can be criticized for some of the other people she may back, but I give her a pass on McCain, based on personal loyalty and gratitude.
Having said that, and admitting that I am pretty much a solid Palinista, I would like to see McCain honorably retire and hand the seat over to Hayworth, personally. Failing that, if I lived in Arizona, I think I’d be voting in the primary for Hayworth.
I see Sarah Palin as an ally, and, perhaps, a symbol of what a citizen-politician ought to be. But she doesn’t do my thinking for me.
The person who agrees with everything I say is a person that I’ll worry a LOT about . . . and I expect the same from others. I don’t expect 100% lock-step agreement on every single issue. If you’re on-board with advocating liberty vs. collectivism, then I’m on your side.
Sorry, I just don’t see it that way.
McCain is responsible for the actions of his aides.
And frankly, defining much of what he has done as “poor judgement” is overly generous.
McCain is bad as a Senator, he needs to be replaced.
You are judged by the company you keep. Something Sarah should carefully consider.