In an opinion column for Politico, conservative MSNBC host Joe Scarborough rips Sarah Palin, and calls on the GOP to “man up” and confront the populist right wing icon.

I hope he isn’t holding his breath.

This is one Republican who would prefer that the former half-term governor promote her reality shows and hawk her books without demeaning the reputations of Presidents Reagan and Bush. These great men dedicated their lives to public service and are too good to be fodder for her gaudy circus sideshow.

If Republicans want to embrace Palin as a cultural icon whose anti-intellectualism fulfills a base political need, then have at it. I suppose it’s cheaper than therapy.

But if the party of Ronald Reagan, Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio wants to return to the White House anytime soon, it’s time that Republican leaders started standing up and speaking the truth to Palin.

It’s not going to happen. Scarborough is dreaming.

Sarah Palin is the best representative of the GOP in the 21st century: ignorant and proud of it. But focusing on Sarah Palin misses the point; she’s not the problem. She’s just one of the most obvious symptoms.