How many non-politicians or obscure state legislators are going to step up after this, knowing that in mid-race their party may abandon them? How does this grow a party that's been contracting among minorities and in virtually every region but the South? How many contests does the Palin approach cede to Democrats, who have been happy to recruit moderates and conservatives in places they believe candidates like that can win?

Candidates like that have indeed won, and the complications posed by the Democrats' diversity are now playing out for all to see in the intra-party struggle over health reform. But you better believe it's a good problem to have. I'm pretty sure zero Democrats would prefer to be out of power and in perfect accord.

Keep it up, Palinistas. Let 'er riiiiiiiip!