Tom, you made a very salient point here. The control of the GOP by McCain. Sarah Palin is a Republican. IF she has aspirations for running in 2012 (I believe she does), then she is wise to be pragmatic in achieving that goal. She knows the power that Mac holds in Wash. She was caught between keeping him obligated to her or making him a very powerful enemy.
Now, if I saw my country going down the tubes and felt that I could rescue it, I would do whatever I legally needed to do to win. That is common sense. She did not lose honor in campaigning for Mac. She would have lost honor if she had dissed him. She has been clear from her first appearance in the spotlight that she considers Mac and family friends.
Faced with the same situation, I would have done exactly what she did. It assures her (hopefully) of Mac's influence in the GOP to help her. Politics is a lot like killing a moose. There can be a lot of blood, but the eating is good. I am sure that she knew already that Mac could not be defeated in AZ. I think she was a winner in this, regardless of what we think of Mac the Manic.
Politics over principle. Always looks good in the short run, and always leads to destruction over time.
One other thing: If she thinks she can gain control over the formerly grand Old party that way, she’s delusional. It’s controlled lock, stock and barrel by McCain/Romney unprincipled hacks. They’re bought, and will stay bought. Romney and his friends have unlimited amounts of money at their disposal to make sure of it.
Remember, you heard it here first.