McCain aides, depressed over the crushing loss and probably attempting to save their own careers as political consultants, have enthusiastically blamed Governor Sarah Palin for the loss.

They’ve been leaking tidbits to Fox News. Tidbits like (I’m paraphrasing) “Palin didn’t understand that Africa is a continent and not a county…and asked whether South Africa is really just the southern part of the African country” and “Palin didn’t understand basic civics” and “Palin didn’t understand the nations involved in NAFTA” and “couldn’t name all the countries in North America”.

While I can appreciate this in a Wow I’m Glad She’s Not in Charge kind of way, I think it’s pathetic that the campaign is smearing her and attempting to blame her for the loss.

For once, Michelle Malkin and I agree on something!

If all of these things about Palin are true, whose fault is it?

Hint: It’s the fault of the damn people who chose her without vetting.

How dare the McCain aides blame her for the loss? McCain campaign staffers: you should be blaming yourselves. She was the weakest candidate I’ve ever seen for the position, and you are responsible for choosing her. YOU.

YOU are also responsible for turning this unknown quantity loose to campaign in the nastiest, most fearmongering way possible. YOU are responsible for the millions of McCain supporters who today say that, in addition to being disappointed and depressed by the election outcome, they are literally afraid of President-elect Obama.

If your job is to run campaigns, YOU need to take responsibility for them.

YOU.

If she had, instead, helped McCain to win on election day, you would have clapped each other on the back and congratulated yourselves for the brilliant choice.

Instead, in the wake of the rejection of your ticket, you’re blaming her? Leaking little snide comments in order to make yourselves look better?

No. No way. Look in the mirror. The problem was YOU.

Take responsibility for yourselves.

If John McCain doesn’t rein in his running mate, and his campaign staff, his legacy will be that of a race-baiting fearmonger.

And that would be sad.

I don’t believe John McCain is a racist - has has in the past supported immigration reform and has voted to support minority- and women-owned businesses. But it’s a sad commentary on the state of things that such a thing has to be said.

I do believe that he needs to take control of his campaign. Check this out, from Politico (emphasis mine):

John McCain is at odds with many of his top advisers over launching a renewed attack on Barack Obama’s ties to his long-time pastor and mentor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, according to campaign sources.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and several top campaign officials see a sharp attack on Wright as the best — and perhaps last — chance to rattle Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill. ) and force voters to rethink their support of him. But McCain continues to overrule them, fearing a Wright attack would smack of desperation and racism, the officials said.

With McCain unlikely to budge, GOP officials are hoping groups outside of the campaign will finance an ad attack on Obama-Wright ties. It is unclear if any conservative group has the cash to bankroll a serious effort, however.

“Wright is off the table,” said one top campaign official. “It’s all McCain. He won’t go there. His advisers would have gone there.”

Seriously? His advisers think that bringing up Wright again is a good idea?

I’ve got news for you guys over at the Mccain campaign: it’s NOT. Here’s why:

• This story was covered ad nauseum in the Spring. It didn’t push Hillary over the top, and some might argue that after Obama’s speech in Philadelphia, he emerged from the story stronger and more appealing than ever. Also, I would think any mileage that’s to be gained from the story has already been gained. People either bought the story, or they didn’t. There’s not this group of people out there waiting to be convinced, or this group of people out there who somehow missed the story on the news the first time around.
• McCain’s favorable ratings in the polls have dropped dramatically since his campaign - led by his running mate Sarah Palin - started in on the negative personal attacks urging Americans to beware the scary Obama and accusing him of “palling around with terrorists”.
• After the hatred of the nutwing faction became apparent - actual shouts of “Terrorist!” and “Kill him!” - the backlash began. After some scathing op-eds and coverage by the 24-hour news outlets, McCain was forced to step in and quiet his rabid supporters at a rally outside Minneapolis last week.People rightfully praised him for doing so. In my opinion, bringing up Wright again only fuels the fire - both in his nutty supporters, and in the media which will continue to accuse him of riling up said nutty supporters.

There is nothing to be gained from this approach. All it does it cede the moral high ground to Obama, and reinforce the worst types of stereotypes about red-meat Republicans. McCain will lose any momentum he might have otherwise gained from the rousing stump speech he gave on Monday. And, he’s right, it will look desperate but there are bigger problems than that.

Senator Mccain, get control over your campaign and your running mate. You must, if you hope to salvage any chance you have of winning the election, and to safeguard your legacy. You are more honorable than your campaign, but if you don’t take a stand now, people will assume you accept its tactics.