Out come the long knives?

GOP establishment elites have two problems with Michele Bachmann. First, she appears to be surging in popularity among Republicans (one poll has her trailing just behind frontrunner Romney). Her "Palin-With-Brains" shtick seems to be working (for now). Second, the press won't shut up about it. So, the long knives are coming out. Out of the blue, Bachmann's former chief of staff, Ron Carey, declared that she does "decidedly" not possess "the judgment, the demeanor, and the readiness to serve as president."

After that salvo, he reloaded, then let loose with this:

"The Bachmann campaign and congressional offices I inherited were wildly out of control. ... If she is unable, or unwilling, to handle the basic duties of a campaign or congressional office, how could she possibly manage the magnitude of the presidency? ... I know Michele Bachmann very well. ... [she is] without any leadership experience or real results from her years in office. She is not prepared to assume the White House in 2013."

That's a rather amazing drive-by shooting, and probably the first of many to come. The reason is simple. Bachmann winning the GOP nomination would guarantee four more years of Obama. Ergo, it's not gonna happen, not if the GOP adults can help it.