Tom Reynolds's sinking ship has a high-profile jumper. John McCain abandoned an October 20 Reynolds rally (and black-tie Erie County GOP dinner) and will be replaced by — cue scary Halloween music — Karl Rove. Boo!

Beloved war hero and leading candidate for president in 2008 out (Graham Greene's The Quiet American with a sweet 7 a.m. tee-time smile), Machiavellian schemer and character assassin in.

Of course, the widening maelstrom of the Foley-Reynolds scandal may soon force Rove to follow McCain's lead and slink over the side as well, begging the question: Is there anyone left on USS Reynolds who'll hoist high the slop bucket and keep bailing? George Pataki will pretty much play any room not occupied by Jeanine Pirro. "Miracle" Mike Bloomberg likes a challenge. You could go for seasonal shock value: a Michael Brown–Tom Delay double bill? The scheduling won't be an issue. How about Bill Weld? Or KT McFarland! Fortunately, upstate Republicans aren't all that choosy.

McCain Bails Out as Local Speaker; Rove to Pinch Hit [Buffalo News]