From maverick to diva ...by Sybil Adelman Sage

With the McCain campaign denouncing Sarah Palin as "a diva," publicly criticizing her for operating independently, claiming she doesn't have trusting relationships with anyone, including her own family, and referring to her as a "whack job," it's conceivable that Palin will decide to jump ship and announce she'll follow in the footsteps of fellow conservatives, Christopher Buckley, Scott McLellan and Ken Adelman to defect and support Barack Obama.

Nobody from the campaign has taken responsibility for the $150,000 shopping spree. Palin clearly resents taking the heat and has been telling crowds in the battleground states that she wears a $35 wedding ring she bought herself in Hawaii and that she shops at a consignment store in Alaska.

Even before the big splurge, she looked pretty spiffy. Who are those Alaskan fashionastas discarding all those snappy outfits? Woodbury Common outlet shops must be worried about losing business as frugal shoppers will surely head to Anchorage thrift shops.

Determined not to be seen as a spender, today in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, it wouldn't be surprising if Palin went off script again, lifting her Valentino skirt to show her pantyhose, telling everyone she bought them used, pointing out the snags and runs made by their original owner.

The discord between the Republican candidates may be a prelude to Palin's departure from the ticket. Should this happen, it would be McCain's brilliant October surprise, a way to improve the odds of his gaining ground with the undecideds.

And given Palin's broader definition of vice-presidential duties, Biden may welcome her aboard to share the job of running the Senate and making policy.













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