Backhanded Compliment

TPM Reader JS cautions against the White House engaging Sarah Palin:

A classic moment indeed: I think you must be very careful about encouraging the behavior manifest by Gibbs today.

Obama and the White House (with the notable exception of Emanuel) have generally managed to stay well above this kind of snarky behavior. Palin took snark to a new level at the Tea Party Convention, but the White House (until today) made it very clear which side was taking the high road.

If a truly weak, illiterate, uneducated, incompetent Sarah Palin manages to bring the White House down to her level of discourse, we have no hope for any kind of intelligent national dialogue. Gibbs represents the Office of the President. He should know better than to dignify Palin and her trash talk with any comment or acknowledgment whatsoever.

I’ve seen this same sentiment expressed a few times about Gibbs’ stunt. Not sure I agree. Your thoughts?