Palin Calls Politico's Latest Hit Piece 'Crap

Fresh off of reporting Sarah Palin's midterm speaking tour was "wreaking havoc" on the campaign trail, Politico is out with an article saying that the goal of Republican leaders after the elections is simple: "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," Politico's story published Sunday night says.

"There is a determined, focused establishment effort … to find a candidate we can coalesce around who can beat Sarah Palin," said one prominent and longtime Washington Republican. "We believe she could get the nomination, but Barack Obama would crush her."

This sentiment was a nearly constant refrain in POLITICO interviews with top advisers to the candidates most frequently mentioned as running in 2012 and a diverse assortment of other top GOP officials

On Sunday, Palin responded by going after Politico:

This isn't the first time Palin has clashed with Politico. After the last piece, she appeared on Glenn Beck's radio show and called the author of that piece a "punk."

Read Politico's new story here.

Watch Palin's full reaction with Greta Van Susteren, including her calling the piece "crap":

UPDATE:

Palin's camp is already trying to capitalize on the Politico piece. After her political action committee's website gives a rundown of the latest article, it asks supporters for donations. Interestingly, though, it doesn't ask for donations in the name of stopping the "lamestream media," but rather asks supporters to "help stop the GOP Establishment strategy."

The rest of the PAC's article is in line with the fundraising request:

If Governor Palin were to win the GOP nomination, the Establishment dies. Governor Palin always speaks in glowing terms about the planks of the GOP being strong, and she is right. Those planks of the GOP--fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense, and the sanctity of life--are all planks that she chooses to firmly stand on. The Establishment, in a constant desire to create a "Big Tent" Republican party, has sought to drive the stakes of this "Big Tent" into squish, moderate ground, which would ultimately cause the tent to collapse.

Still, it seems that those outside the GOP establishment are embracing Palin. Over the weekend she made "robo calls" in 56 congressional districts and in 14 states with competitive Senate and gubernatorial races, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Washington, Nevada and Wisconsin.

It's the same message across the country, but is tailored to each state.

Eavesdrop on a call:

UPDATE II:

One of the article's authors, Mike Allen, appeared on Laura Ingraham's radio show to defend the piece. He thinks the article will end up benefiting Palin since she regularly speaks out against the establishment:

(H/T: Right Scoop)