The most recent buzz about Palin is that she is rebelling against her handlers and speaking to any reporters she wants and saying what she thinks and not caring at all about how her remarks affect McCain or the campaign. MSNBC (admittedly Obama supporters) anchors are guessing she is, in the face of a likely defeat, already preparing for her own shot as No. One on a future ticket. Sheesh, I knew that about her in the first week of her exposure on TV. I just didn’t know how bad it would get, nor how McCain would shrink from prominence and wind up in her shadow.

There’s a 1963 movie called “The Servant” with Dirk Bogarde (a brilliant British actor, now gone). Here is the synopsis and review from Maltin’s Movie Guide: “Insidious story of moral degradation as corrupt manservant (Bogarde) becomes master of employer (played by a very young James Fox); superb study of brooding decadence.”

It seems that Palin is taking over even now and it is indeed insidious. The oblivious McCain, thinking it will help the ticket, is allowing her to have a television special on the trials and agony of caring for special needs children (this will gain her sympathy) next week, and a second TV special in the last week of the campaign, on oil and energy, supposedly her strong suit (drill, baby, drill). He is giving her a showcase that she will use later to advance her future candidacy.

Aside from McCain's failing ability to manage his own people, and how this campaign has demoralized and aged him (even before he takes on the stresses of a presidency) his judgment in allowing her this kind of exposure is truly lacking. Dear John, the camel has taken over the tent. From the look of her, I would have thought Cindy McCain would be sharp enough to have noticed this and say something compelling to her husband (out of sheer jealousy if not acute political observation). Maybe she has and it is just too late.

Xx, Teal