In many ways, it’s a unique situation. But you can be sure that won’t stop the party’s activists from claiming a meaningful, long-term victory against those squishy Republicans, the ones who don’t take their loyalty oath in blood.

So get ready for the next big fight: McCain vs. Palin, in the Florida senate race.

On the GOP side, it’s going to pit John McCain, who has endorsed Gov. Charlie Crist, a more moderate GOPer, against his former running mate, who is likely to endorse Marco Rubio. Rubio markets himself as a true conservative.

After all, Palin endorsed the conservative in upstate New York. Maybe she can see it from Alaska.