Island Microcosm

From a political point of view, and from through the eyes of an expert in relationships at the office, it makes sense that Jenna Lewis became the latest Survivor castoff Wednesday night.

Gary Namie, a social psychologist and author of The Bully at Work, and CBS News Early Show Contributor Craig Crawford, editor-in-chief of the online political journal The Hotline, discussed island dynamics Thursday with Anchor Bryant Gumbel.

Gervase, according to Crawford, is the best politician because he is "very non-threatening and doesn't do that much." He said Gervase is "very Reaganesque. He's managing the balance between the hard politics and staying popular… In the end, it's going to be a popularity contest."

He called Rudy "good comic relief, like the old guys on the Muppets or maybe, in politics, he's like Ross Perot."

As for Richard, Crawford said, "He's a classic political manipulator. He reminds me of Tom DeLay on Capitol Hill (a Texas Republican who is the House Majority Whip). Doesn't worry about popularity. Puts the alliance together. The only difference between him and the politicians on Capitol Hill: At least they stay fully clothed. I don't want to see Tom DeLay naked."

As for Namie, he sees Richard as a classic bully as well as a classic consultant.

Said Namie, "He came in on Day One, sat on his butt, and after that he starts maneuvering everybody, continues to lobby for his position. Now he's turned everybody against each other."

Namie and Crawford agreed that Susan is "a classic snake" and Colleen is "a female Gervase."

As a matter of fact, both experts said it is highly likely that Gervase and Colleen will be the final two contestants.

"Many politicians survive by doing nothing," Crawford observed. "There's a mantra in politics: Anger no one." As soon as you take a stand, you risk making someone angry.

In congressional leadership battles, lawmakers often turn against strong leaders because they fear their control. So they end up with a "consensus" leader. On Survivor, according to Crawford, that's Gervase. He has managed to survive by not doing anything, which often is the case in politics.

Namie added, "In the work place, the survivors are not the most competent. The best and brightest are driven out."

He also compared the role of Survivor host Jeff Probst to that of the human resources department in a large company.

"When he snuffs out the torch, that's the exit parade - the shoebox and security escorting you out the door," explained Namie. "Banishment."