What Will They Think Of The Enquirer Now?

Conservatives were all abuzz just a few short months ago when The National Enquirer broke the story that John Edwards had had an affair.

Now, that same grocery-store staple all across America has a new story for page one:

SARAH PALIN'S OTHER MAN REVEALED

According to the Enquirer, the identity of Palin's extramarital lover was confirmed by "no less than three members of the man's family including one by sworn affidavit."

One Hanson family insider, Jim Burdett, passed a "rigorous polygraph test," and went on the record telling the Enquirer, "I've known about Brad having had an affair for a long time, but it wasn't until just recently that I learned his affair was with Sarah Palin."

Another insider, who preferred to remain anonymous but provided the Enquirer with a sworn affidavit attesting to the affair, said, "Todd was away on business a lot and Sarah felt lonely. Brad was a good listener, and Sarah talked to him at length. Eventually, she real­ized she was falling in love with him."

The Enquirer is also boasting that it was their investigation that prompted the Palin family to announce that their daughter, Bristol, was pregnant.

It's almost a certainty that conservative Republicans, the bloggers that adore them, and the pundits and media-members that follow are all sitting in silent contemplation.

"How do we approach this without coming off like hypocrites?"

Chances are they will largely ignore it. But, that poses a problem from the start. They have legitamized a publication that - for as long as I can remember - has been seen as largely gossip, nothing more.

But, with the Edwards affair validated, fact checked, and with apparent photographic proof, those that wish to make this story "go away" have a rather daunting task ahead of them.

And, if you think The Enquirer will face the furry of the McCain campaign, they don't seem to be too afraid of that:

Rumors of Palin’s alleged secret booty call have been circulating the ‘net. Coincidentally, Hanson has reportedly filed a motion to have his divorce records sealed in Alaska.

In attempt to stop the reports, John McCain’s people threatened legal action against The NATIONAL ENQUIRER.

Palin has been avoiding the press. McCain's campaign is effectively running Alaska at this point. Questions aren't being answered or the right questions just aren't being asked.

This could either be what derails Palin's candidacy for VP or this will be when we start hearing conservatives validating adulterous behavior.

Now, we wait.