Re: "how much more diplomatic can you be at a time like this?"I would choose the word strategic to describe his actions. Everything Rob does is game related. He wants to control his tribe's votes, their actions, their thoughts and even their emotions. Thus it is ROB who holds the Sprint phone doling out emotional rewards for good behavior(loyalty). Only Rich Hatch and Russell have approached this level of control over a tribe. But Rob pretty much owns the control-freak title I'd say.
But does this equate to a winning strategy? That's not near as decisive....just read the David criteria for his winner vote. And there will be more Zaps on the Jury than Omes. What one tribe views as excellent game play can be entirely different for another tribe.
I think JP summed it up best in a recent quote...~'Rob is the best player to have never won'. And it may be coming true again.
Jmho