This press conference is really kinda painful to watch in a squirm-inducing way. Kinda like a reality show where Republican celebrities get root canal work.

It seems that the long-suffering public aren't the only ones who want Sarah Palin to pack up and go home and fade nicely and quietly back into the obscurity she deserves: So are her fellow Republican governors.

When asked if Palin was the best choice McCain could have made for a running mate, no one jumped to answer.

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, who started the race in former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's corner but later worked for McCain, chimed in: "What happened here is the party and John dropped Sarah into the ninth inning of the World Series three runs down."

Crist initially demurred when asked separately if Palin was a legitimate future possibility for the White House.

"I think that's up to her to decide. It's a little early," Crist laughed.

And apparently they really hated being used as props for Palin's press conference yesterday:

One called it awkward: “I’m sure you could see it on some of our faces.”

Another Republican governor eyeing a presidential run in 2012 told CNN the event was “odd” and “weird,” and said it “unfortunately sent a message that she was the de facto leader of the party."

There has been palpable tension among some GOP governors gathered in Miami that Palin has been sucking up all the media oxygen.

I know the timer is running out on Palin's little fame bubble. But as long as flaming-red Republicans (76 percent of them) want her up there, she's going to be the face of the party. And the guys who think they should be the face of the GOP are already getting out the long knives.

It's like dropping a big flopping goldfish into a roomful of cats. Pass the popcorn, wouldja? Just don't make me watch any more Palin pressers ...