A first: We disagree with Don Surber

We can't recall ever having occasion to disagree with Don Surber, but there's a first time for everything, as the old saying goes. On CNN's "State of the Union" program Sunday, John McCain had some very positive things to say about his former running mate, as we noted here.

According to Surber:

"After nearly a year of leaving Sarah Palin hanging to dry on gossip spread by his campaign staff, John McCain finally defended her as he discussed his failed campaign."

That's not entirely correct. McCain has lauded Palin on several occasions, more so some times than others. And the reason behind the Arizona Senator's latest praise for Palin, in Surber's opinion:

"Methinks he knows she has a score to settle with him."

Again, that's true, but only to a certain extent. We've been watching Sarah Palin closely now for well over a year. Being directly critical of John McCain is not Sarah's style. Both during the campaign and after, she always treated McCain with the utmost respect and honored him as a true American hero. We believe her admiration for the man is genuine.

We could be wrong, but when her book comes out, we think she will pay tribute to those members of the McCain campaign who supported her. As for those who stabbed her in the back, she may or may not call them out individually. But by extolling the virtue of those who gave her their loyalty, the treachery of the others will be exposed by implication at the least.

As for McCain himself, we believe Sarah Palin will treat him better than he deserves. He may be in for a slap on the wrist for failing to put a stop to the perfidy of the liars and leakers, but she will probably give the man a pass and excuse his lack of leadership by blaming his top lieutenants for keeping him in the dark.

Sarah Palin is a quick learner, and one lesson she has taken to heart is that in politics, you don't burn bridges now which you might need to cross later. Her battles with the corrupt establishment on her own party in Alaska have taught her that much and more. She is also a student of Ronald Reagan who counseled his fellow GOPers not to speak ill of fellow Republicans.

But Don Surber may yet prove to be correct, in which case we will acknowledge it and admit our error when we have the book in hand. We only have 35 days to wait, but who's counting?

- JP