Kathleen Parker at National Review Online, one of Sarah Palin’s most enthusiastic supporters, throws in the towel.

McCain can’t repudiate his choice for running mate. He not only risks the wrath of the GOP’s unforgiving base, but he invites others to second-guess his executive decision-making ability. Barack Obama faces the same problem with Biden.

Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves. She can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts her family first.

Do it for your country.

Of course Parker had to toss in that gratuitous – and completely unsupported – jibe at Biden. Perhaps it was an attempt to soften the blow; no matter. The claim that “Palin can save McCain” is purely wishful thinking: the damage is done, McCain’s desperation is revealed for all to see. Does she really think that people would be able to forget McCain’s colossal error of judgement in a few short weeks? Well, maybe she’s got a point… after all, McMightyMouse will have (or fabricate) plenty of opportunities to play the drama queen between now and the election.
UPDATE: Even the manic enthusiasm of the rabid NROer K-Lo is wavering:

I’m not where my friend Kathleen Parker is — wanting her to step aside to spend more time with her family and Alaska — but that’s not a crazy suggestion. She’s right to say that something’s gotta change.