What will be the October surprise?
Will it center on Governor Palin and the McCain campaign's effort to scuttle the Vice-Presidential debate?
There are widely held expectations among both Democrats and Republicans that Governor Palin's performance will be far from stellar in that contest. The consequences could spell trouble for McCain.
What strategy will the Republicans choose from their rosary full of Hail Marys to thwart the upcoming show-down?
There have been rumors that Governor Palin's handlers and tutors are wary of her upcoming debate performance, especially after her damaging interview with Katie Couric.
Now, some conservatives are even suggesting that she recuse herself from the campaign.
The McCain campaign appears to be exploring strategies to present a reasonable excuse to derail the vice-presidential debate entirely and insulate her from a probable dismal and unflattering showing.
The rationale for canceling the debate can no longer be the economic crisis, since Senator McCain has opted-in for the "Ole Miss" debate with Senator Obama.
Palin's handlers may decide that an engineered urgent family crisis, which would pull her temporarily out of the campaign, may be the only way to keep her out of the debate dilemma and away from the media.
This strategy could also provide other benefits to the McCain/Palin ticket.
Palin would show that she is putting her family first and gain sympathy. There would be kudos for her action as a caring wife and mother. There would be public concern for her and her family. Media attention would be focused on the crisis. It would provide a laudable reason for not participating in the debate. Politically most important, the possibility of her public disaster would be eliminated.