The GOP insiders are pretty obviously becoming ever more embarassed by and disenchanted with their new glamour girl, but having her step aside might well be even more embarrassing, and devastating to their chances.

For a while earlier this year, I was seriously afraid that Obama might get killed by some nutcase ~ so afraid that I wouldn't say anything out loud about it.

For whatever reason, my fears on that score have been put to rest. Now I'm afraid that Palin might be a more likely candidate for assassination, or some kind of unexplained sudden death. The sympathy factor would give the new McCain/Whoever ticket a substantial "bounce," and, if timed correctly very shortly before the election, could be decisive.