Today, Michelle Malkin finds herself under fire from some conservatives for writing a critical column about Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s indefensible decision to mandate the Gardasil vaccine for children. Malkin tweets, “I am glad we still have GOP primary battles for 2012 nomination, not coronations. It’s healthy. It’s necessary.” There’s an important broader lesson in this.
Hearing some of the over-the-top criticisms of Perry coming from the left, not to mention the ridiculous accusations of racism, there’s a conservative reflex kicking in to circle the wagons in his defense, even when he doesn’t deserve it. It’s tempting. The leftist freak out over Perry is so predictable and entertaining at times, that it’s hard to resist the urge. But it’s an urge that conservatives must resist nonetheless.
