I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but some conservative bloggers are setting up Operation Leper to punish the McCain campaign staffers bad-mouthing Governor Palin. The concept is to prevent Steve Schmidt and Nicolle Wallace - who some believe to be responsible for the anti-Palin slurs - from being able to work in Republican campaign positions in the future.

The problem with the strategy is that Wallace and Schmidt are sure to be rewarded by the left if they admit they are the leakers, which will bring them great financial benefits - probably greater than if they remained with the GOP. And if that happens, they'll be paid to inflict greater damage on Palin in the future. So Operation Leper's 'punishment' may well backfire. Also, if I read the quotes right, Wallace in particular seems conflicted and might well come back into the fold if not excoriated.

That isn't to say the slanderers are admirable people in any way. I think what's been done is disgusting. It would be nice if John McCain would actually step up and squash all this crap, but he doesn't seem to make a habit of stopping in-fighting among his subordinates.