Palin headlines: I was insulting media, not Herman Cain

Palin supporters pretend she didn't promise a September campaign decision (Erick Erickson, RedState): Palin supporters want us to know that despite Sarah Palin saying that she'd decide by the end of September and despite Sarah Palin fan sites at the beginning of the month saying she'd announce by the end of the month, it wasn't actually Palin talking in "voice of God" talk, but rather a non-binding advisory opinion. Also: Conservatives wait for Palin rapture (Anthea Butler, Religion Dispatches)

Palin would have a hard time proving defamation against McGinniss (ABC News): Attorneys who handle defamation and libel cases involving public figures say it's not easy to prove the legal standard of whether an author either knowingly published false reporting or had malicious intent. James Janowitz, a New York attorney who has defended celebrities in defamation cases, says the bar for Palin's potential suit "is as high as it gets."

Levi Johnston talks about life in the spotlight (Zimbio): For all the ways Levi Johnston has openly embraced his notoriety as Bristol Palin's baby daddy -- a music video, commercials, a not-quite full-frontal spread for Playgirl -- he's never been comfortable with it. His own world and his Hollywood world are so vastly different they require separate wardrobes.

Earlier primaries would make it harder for latecoming Palin to campaign (The Wall Street Journal): Florida officials are expected to upend next year's Republican nominating calendar by announcing on Friday that they will hold the state's primary on Jan. 31. ... A front-loaded primary schedule would make it harder for late entries -- a possible bid by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, for example -- because it would reduce the time they have to campaign and raise money.

Ex-McCain aide says '08 campaign failed in vetting Palin (Death and Taxes, MSNBC): Steve Schmidt, John McCain's campaign strategistin the 2008 presidential race, told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow this week: I think both parties have had failures in the vetting process -- John Edwards, clearly, and the nominee in 2008. The first and foremost consideration should be, Is this person qualified to be commander in chief. I think if you look at the last couple years of American politics both on the Republican side and also on the Democratic side there have been deficiencies in that area.

Palin book roundup: McGinniss sells, Johnston flops (Slate): "The Rogue" will debut at No. 10 on the [New York Times] nonfiction list, making it [Joe] McGinniss's first bestseller in more than a decade. According to Nielsen BookScan, McGinniss moved 6,000 copies in the first week. Johnston's book didn't fare as well. It sold 1,000 copies, according to Nielsen.