THIS IS RIDICULOUS – AT 8:04 A.M. ET:  The 2012 presidential sweepstakes have already begun, and dumb ideas are immediately making their appearance.  From The Politico:

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.

COMMENT:  I don't like using words like "stupid."  It's arrogant and lazy.  I'll make an exception this time.

First, "stop" anybody movements rarely work.  All they do is enhance the prestige of the target and make that person larger than life.  If a candidate is stopped, it's by the voters.

Second, dividing the party right out of the gate is not exactly smooth politics, coming right after what (we hope) will be a smashing victory.

Third, show me the money, or, rather, the candidate that these worthies want to throw up against Palin, and let's see if he, or she, can beat her.  That's the only "stop" movement that counts. 

I happen to agree that Palin remains polarizing, and has not corrected her deficiencies.  They're there, they're obvious, and they hurt.  But polls show that she doesn't do all that well in trial heats, even among conservatives.  If she runs for president, she should be treated as any other candidate.  If she improves that much and captures the nomination by the sheer quality of her candidacy, she deserves it.  If she falters, the voters will take care of the issue.

But please, no "stop" movements.  If you want to plan to stop anyone, make it Obama.

November 1, 2010