[Kuruharan]

Thank you Mayla. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

I'd agree that Saruman was actually partially responsible for the success of the Fellowship. All that distraction and bother he caused for Sauron.

Saruman definitely made some rather stupid mistakes, but I would not exactly characterize him as a moron. He became corrupted, and as your sig so aptly puts it he outgrew his hat.

That was the basic problem with his schemes, he could not really support them. He had no real realm, just Isengard. As Beleg said to Turin when they were in Amon Rudh a lord needs many things. Basically it boils down to an economic base. Denethor had the Kingdom of Gondor, Theoden had Rohan, Sauron had Mordor. Saruman had...well, he had a barren rock with a spire. He had great influence in Dunland, but I don't think he totally controlled the country.
As an example of what I am talking about, on another thread somebody was asking where they got their food in Mordor. Sauron grew much of it himself near the Inland Sea of Nurnen in the Lithlad (Ash Plain). Saruman got his food and other types of economic support from...... I'm sure you can see the point. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

(Hmm...this whole post seems to go against the my other one doesn't it?)