Was "blood libel" a poor choice of words by Sarah Palin?

Sarah Palin has the patience of Job to endure the attacks on her and her family these past few years. But I think it was a poor choice of words. I don't think she meant it as a slur of any kind, she just got caught unaware. It's unfair the s bag libs may score a few points off this one, and they are the ones keeping score.