If you can, take a step back and survey the landscape . . . what professor(s) do you like? Is there one you especially respect even if in a different subfield? Request an appointment with him (her), inquire about their work, ask for advice/guidance, demonstrate you respect for their work, talk about the future, establish a relationship - perhaps they could mentor you. Or, they could point you in the direction of an opportunity you would otherwise not be aware of . . . they no doubt have an academic network outside of your college campus. Or, if they say something a bit vague, like "it would be really great if someone did some work on X" - maybe that would be your queue to follow through on that. When you are done with the meeting, send them a hand-written thank you(!), regardless of outcome. Drop in with a Hello every once in awhile.

I'd concentrate on spying opportunities to build relationships with the tenured folks and leave the issue of politics unspoken as much as possible.