1.) IIRC, this is the first time Governor Palin has staked out her differences with Senator McCain. In past writings, she's only spoken about their common beliefs.
2.) She's trying to keep everyone's eye on the target, President Obama. There's nothing to be gained by ostracizing McCain at this time, especially if he's attacking the Administration's Benghazi debacle.
Yes, on the first point, I think so -- can't remember her specifying amnesty, ANWR, and "any Congressional action that allows Obama to incur more U.S. Debt" as being among her differences with McCain, but I could be wrong.
One might also note that further up, she credits McCain for having carried part of our message of opposition to today’s “fundamental transformation” of America directly to the problem: President Obama and Harry Reid’s far left agenda. (emphasis mine)
On the second point, maybe Palin is just practicing what she preaches, We live in a time of diminishing virtues because of societal influence towards total self-centeredness. If she was self-centered, she'd treat McCain like a political liability she should avoid for her own political interests. She's not, so she doesn't. She's loyal and she's playing for conservatism to win, not "not lose."
2.) She's trying to keep everyone's eye on the target, President Obama. There's nothing to be gained by ostracizing McCain at this time, especially if he's attacking the Administration's Benghazi debacle.
When I read Sarah Palin's Facebook post yesterday, I knew the uproar it would create here and having read the entire thread, I wasn't disappointed.
However, I have a different take. It's called not burning your bridges.
Suppose Palin intends to run for president. How does unnecessarily preempting McCain's support help her campaign? If any bridge is to be burned, let McCain do it. He will be the one who comes off as small, considering Palin's generosity towards him.
On the other hand, Palin already has the support of the tea party movement. Having McCain give her any kind of support can only help with the less supportive factions of the Republican party. At any rate, whatever happens, it won't be Palin that started the fire that burned that bridge. IMO, she is putting McCain into the box of her choosing.