Most Rat flaks I just hate 24/7, 365, ~every~ time I see them.
Susan is in that small group who sometimes startle you with a bit of candor and reasonableness. Don't get attached, though. She is capable of coming back the next day and being as shrill and crazed as the worst of them. IMHO.
You're right, she does have some "lucid" moments, especially as a guest-host. But when promoting her party/candidate she's definately drank her share of the kool-aid.
Major face lift? YES!!!!
But give her some credit, she's finally learned how to talk without showing 3/4 of her tongue and tonsils while speaking - that used to gross me out even worse than the voice.