A line in the sand: Palin aide schools Romney camp

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Asked by Politico about recent nasty comments by Romney operatives slamming the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate, a longtime aide to Governor Palin returned fire at Romney’s camp:

“It shocks me that anyone would try to do that,” the aide said. “You’d think we’d all be working together toward a common goal – that being 2010 – and that should be the focus right now. Those who try to claim the mantle of Reagan would be good to follow one of his most sacred tenets.”

“For Washington consultants to sit around and personally disparage the Governor anonymously to reporters is unfortunate and counterproductive and frankly immature,” the aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity, continued.

Comparing the quotes to those attributed to Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) staff attacking Palin toward the end of the presidential campaign, the aide said, “We've seen this movie before and it didn't end so well for those anonymous consultants.”

Further, the Palin aide criticized Romney’s staff for launching into attacks focused on the 2012 Republican presidential primary rather than focusing on November’s midterm election.

“She’s not focused on promoting herself or disparaging other Republicans,” the aide said. The Republican Party is “not worried about 2012. We should be focused on 2010.”

“What she’s trying to do is turn the tide on the Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda…She’s stated publicly that her goal is to turn the tide on Obama’s agenda starting in 2010,” the aide added. “We need to all come together in what should be a great year for us in November.”

Andy Barr, who wrote the Politico article, says the Palin adviser also cited Romney's reputation as a flip-flopper on the issues and criticized the former Massachusetts governor for not being fully in “control” of his team.

Sarah Palin's team appears to be drawing a line in the sand. They won't start fights with the staffers of other potential 2012 GOP presidential candidates, but neither will they allow unprovoked attacks on Gov. Palin from any quyarter to go unanswered. Romney has also been put on notice to reign in his Mittwits.

Related: Tammy Bruce blamed Mitt Romney for the attacks on Sarah Palin made by his subordinates:

"Keep in mind, everything being said this close to the presidential race is an approved campaign or party line. The Romney advisers were not speaking out of turn; they were speaking their candidate’s mind."

"So, let’s interpret this–the Decent Man-of-Faith Mitt Romney is so decent, so trustworthy, that his first plan of action, his first choice of attack is to call into question not Palin’s ideas, or strategy, or approach, but her very humanity; an attack which blatantly attempts to dismiss her as a silly girl, someone not with whom he disagrees, but beneath complete human status. Normally, your first plan of attack is your best, most thoughtful plan. This says volumes about Romney’s nature and character, and it will not be forgotten."

- JP