New York: 

Coming up next: Sarah Palin

With US Presidential elections just nine days away, tensions between Republican candidate John McCain's advisers and his running mate Sarah Palin have escalated and spilled out in public.

As McCain trails behind Democrat opponent Barack Obama in polls, a McCain source claimed Palin was looking out for herself more than the campaign, as she sees herself as the next leader of the party. "She's no longer playing for 2008; she's playing 2012," said Democratic pollster Peter Hart.

Said another McCain adviser, "She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone. She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else... Remember, divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom."

Another adviser has been quoted as saying that Palin has gone 'rogue'.

However, a Palin associate defended her, saying she was just trying to "bust free" of what she saw as a damaging and mismanaged roll out. Palin's side also said that she was frustrated at her press interactions being limited.

But a McCain source retaliated, "Her lack of fundame- ntal understanding of some key issues was dramatic... It was probably the hardest to get her up to speed than any candidate in history."

News of tensions within the McCain camp broke out after recent polls suggested Palin who electrified the party when named as running mate is now dragging down the Republicans. Not only is she facing probes, but she also made it to the headlines last week after it emerged that $150,000 (Rs 75 lakh) had been spent on her clothes since late August.