Ian linked to this piece posted at Right Speak and over at Red State in the Open Thread, but I thought I would give it a full post. I’m doing so because people should know where Mitt Romney’s fan-base honestly stands with respect (or lack thereof) to Governor Palin. And also because people are assuming that these are merely the words of some Mitt Romney “fan,” when in fact, it is the mainstream point of view within the GOP establishment.

Case in point, Sara Fagan, a former political director for President George W. Bush, was recently quoted in an Associated Press article saying:

“There’s one thing the people in the Republican establishment agree on: There was clearly not a thorough thought process or vetting that went into the vetting of Sarah Palin. They didn’t ask the fundamental questions or spend enough time with her.”

There is certainly enough evidence out there to suggest that Ms. Fagan is being forthright when she said that “people in the Republican establishment agree” on this. It’s almost a daily occurrence now, that you hear some Republican talking head play up this narrative. We all know where this meme started, regardless that it lacks any credibility, it is now the misguided, mainstream thought within GOP establishment circles.

As is pointed out in the Right Speak piece, this is also happening with the people Romney’s online support-base:

There has been ample discussion as of late about potential Vice Presidential candidates. A few weeks ago, I started to notice a theme developing – designed to discredit Sarah Palin and the amount of vetting that was done prior to adding her to the ticket in 2008. Nearly every MSM article about the topic suggested that the GOP nominee would be more cautious in their vetting process to avoid making the same “mistake” the McCain campaign made.

Initially, the propagation of this false meme was mostly limited to left-wing journalists with an axe to grind. Lately, it seems that some on the right (mostly Romney supporters who are still bitter that McCain picked her over Mitt) are seizing on the opportunity to pile on. Here’s a prime example of what I’m talking about from one of Romney’s biggest backers. This individual writes for numerous websites, including the Mitt Romney Central fan site.

…Who ever Mitt Romney picks, the vetting process will be much more intense than in the past due to the shoddy vetting process the McCain team did with Sarah Palin….

First of all, the man is entitled to his opinion. However, given that his candidate likely has the nomination sewn up, you would think that he would have enough sense not to alienate supporters of Sarah Palin. Many of Romney’s advocates suffer from the same “tin ear” as the man they support.

As for whether Palin was vetted….you’ll just have to take the word of the man who personally was in charge of the team that vetted her. A.B. Culvahouse…

So, there you have it. I hope everyone will agree that it’s time to put this false narrative to bed. I expect it from Politico, but not from fellow Republicans who are now faced with the Herculean task of generating enthusiasm among the base of the Republican Party for Mitt Romney’s candidacy.

Go here to read the entire piece.

Whether it’s a Mitt Romney support site, or a Republican talking head pushing this narrative, it is just plain stupid politics coming from the GOP.