his article at The Politico almost reads like satire, right down to the detailed explanation of PowerPoint hate:

That was Friday, and that was the end of Ryan following the game plan. At a certain point, all running mates on failing campaigns feel they must break free from the manacles placed on them by the top of the ticket. Sarah Palin began pursuing her own path once she learned that John McCain was having strategy sessions with his morning bowl of Farina.

Dan Senor, one of Romney’s closest advisers, has kept a tight grip on Ryan, traveling with him everywhere and making sure he hews to the directions of the Romney “brain trust” in Boston. (A brain trust, rumor has it, that refers to Ryan as “Gilligan.”)

Aw, Gilligan. Really? Gilligan was dumb but lovable. Not exactly Ryan traits. But wait, there's more.

Though Ryan had already decided to distance himself from the floundering Romney campaign, he now feels totally uninhibited. Reportedly, he has been marching around his campaign bus, saying things like, “If Stench calls, take a message” and “Tell Stench I’m having finger sandwiches with Peggy Noonan and will text him later.”

The term "The Stench" comes from a remark made by Craig Robinson, a former Iowa Republican Party political director, who said Ryan would have to wash the stench of this campaign off of him before running for national office again.

Ryan also was reported to have said "Let Ryan be Ryan and let the Stench be the Stench."

I'd be tempted to say the gloves are off, but then the stench would be on his hands. Way to go, little buddy.

Update: Roger Simon thought his description of PowerPoint presentations would tip us all off to the satire. For many of us, corporate PowerPoint nightmares still haunt our nights, Roger.