# If Palin is dropped from the ticket, who should McCain replace her with? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 7, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490 "2008-09-07T15:48:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/41 "2008-09-08T01:15:38Z")
She is not on talk shows this week because she would reveal her lack of qualifications. They are working hard to prepare her because they have to. ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/42 "2008-09-08T01:26:50Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > She is not on talk shows this week because she would reveal her lack of qualifications. They are working hard to prepare her because they have to. Like perhaps explaining just what a VP does every day… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/43 "2008-09-08T01:41:33Z")
As soon as one single Liberal on this board admits that global warming could maybe be wrong due to humans and now taught in public schools as fact is the day that I will denounce creationism being taught. I happen to believe in evolution but what is wrong with an alternative viewpoint? We have solid evidence that the planet goes through heating and cooling cycles way before humans were hunting woolly mammoths. Of course the liberals are piping up about global warming again with the hurricanes. I don’t remember a peep out of them last year. Oh wait, there was nothing to peep about. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/44 "2008-09-08T02:08:25Z")
Palin does not support adding creationism or intelligent design to the science curriculum, btw. ---
**Author:** ![laughingboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@laughingboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laughingboy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/45 "2008-09-08T02:26:11Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Palin hasn’t spoken to the media yet since being nominated as far as I know. However anyone who believes in creationism or intelligent design is certainly a religious fundamentalist who puts their specific faith above evidence. > And there are plenty of examples of such religious fundamentalists who do believe that God speaks directly to them - and that they must act on it, even if it involves killing people. Agreed. Of course, not every such fundamentalist believes that God speaks directly to them. Thus, I have to consider fundamentalists on a case-by-case basis 🙂 > [@](#): > > Most creationists don’t know the difference between evolution and abiogenesis and Palin wants schools to directly compare evolution and Creationism. > This means she is ignorant of what evolution is, which is also a scary position for me. Fair enough. > [@](#): > > You asked a separate question about my opinion of ‘anyone who believes that some sort of god had a hand in the creation of life / the universe’. > I don’t know why anyone believes that, since there is no evidence for it. > But I have met plenty of religious people who are calm and rational. I agree. > [@](#): > > I would ask you a couple of points in return: > > - which of Judaism or Christianity is wrong over the Divinity of Jesus? > - does it matter that one of them is completely wrong? > - what is your view of someone who believes Ra, the Sun God, created the Universe? Like Laplace, I’ve found that I have no need for the God hypothesis. Whatever name you’d like to place on the Creator, my take is the same: I have not yet seen evidence commensurate with this most extraordinary claim. In this regard, all of the candidates are irrational IMO. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/46 "2008-09-08T02:27:05Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Palin does not support adding creationism or intelligent design to the science curriculum, btw. > **[Homepage | CBN](https://cbn.com/)** > > The Christian Broadcasting Network is a global ministry committed to preparing the nations of the world for the coming of Jesus Christ through mass media and humanitarian outreach. > [@](#): > > John McCain and his running have different views on the evolution debate, but neither have pushed their stance on the issue. > > Gov. Sarah Palin **has said publicly that she backs creationism in schools** , but did not force the idea as Alaska’s governor. Of course it is true in the sense that she does not take the position to teach creationism alone (but once again I detect the tactic from you of exaggerating the criticism so it can be easily dismissed) but to “teach the controversy”. Still damming IMO, also her denials on humans being a factor in the current climate change shows to me that there is still a lot of damage a person like her can cause to the development of science in the USA just by following Cheney’s footsteps when she gets a chance to influence the decisions of the president or if by fate she becomes the president. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/47 "2008-09-08T02:31:56Z")
If you Pubbies are done trying to change the subject, _either answer the OP as it is written, or go elsewhere, please_. I know you find it utterly incomprehensible that there might be a chance that you won’t be handed the presidency on a silver platter, but(as has been pointed out to you several times now) people change their minds, have accidents, get sick and even die without asking permission from their constituents. If a simple “what if” situation so blows your mind, maybe you should avoid Great Debates entirely. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/48 "2008-09-08T02:33:01Z")
> [@laughingboy](#): > > Like Laplace, I’ve found that I have no need for the God hypothesis. Whatever name you’d like to place on the Creator, my take is the same: I have not yet seen evidence commensurate with this most extraordinary claim. > > In this regard, all of the candidates are irrational IMO. Then one has to choose the one that at least knows when something does not belong in the classroom. [http://www.faithfullyliberal.com/?p=943](http://www.faithfullyliberal.com/?p=943) > [@](#): > > Q: York County was recently in the news for a lawsuit involving the teaching of intelligent design. What’s your attitude regarding the teaching of evolution in public schools? > A: [Obama]“I’m a Christian, and I believe in parents being able to provide children with religious instruction without interference from the state. But I also believe our schools are there to teach worldly knowledge and science. I believe in evolution, and I believe there’s a difference between science and faith. That doesn’t make faith any less important than science. It just means they’re two different things. And I think it’s a mistake to try to cloud the teaching of science with theories that frankly don’t hold up to scientific inquiry.” ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/49 "2008-09-08T02:43:40Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Palin does not support adding creationism or intelligent design to the science curriculum, btw. [Yes she does](http://www.thelangreport.com/religion-or-lack-of/sarah-palin-wants-creationism-taught-in-school/). ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/50 "2008-09-08T02:46:30Z")
[Cite.](http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/2008/08/29/palin-creationist/) Gotta stop taking Little Green Footballs at face value, **Sam**. ---
**Author:** ![laughingboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@laughingboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laughingboy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/51 "2008-09-08T02:58:47Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Then one has to choose the one that at least knows when something does not belong in the classroom. Everyone is free to choose based on whatever criteria they like. Personally, I’ll make my selection based upon a range of issues. As has been pointed out, this conversation has drifted from the OP, so now I’ll take my leave. ---
**Author:** ![Library\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Library\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Library_Boy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/52 "2008-09-08T03:15:00Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If you Pubbies are done trying to change the subject, _either answer the OP as it is written, or go elsewhere, please_. I know you find it utterly incomprehensible that there might be a chance that you won’t be handed the presidency on a silver platter, but(as has been pointed out to you several times now) people change their minds, have accidents, get sick and even die without asking permission from their constituents. If a simple “what if” situation so blows your mind, maybe you should avoid Great Debates entirely. Gee, I didn’t realize that Least Original User Name Ever, Elucidator, EddyTeddyFreddy, lissener, Diogenes the Cynic and gonzomax were Republicans. I’m betting they are going to be suprised. I think that Lieberman would be picked, there is a rumer that McCain wanted him in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/53 "2008-09-08T03:18:12Z")
He didn’t have the guts to pick Liberman then, why would he now? He completely caved into the religious right, just like _all_ the Republican candidates for POTUS cave into the religious right. The first prominent Pub who stands up to them will be a hero to me. I thought it might be McCain. He revealed himself to be nutless. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/54 "2008-09-08T03:29:31Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > He didn’t have the guts to pick Liberman then, why would he now? He completely caved into the religious right, just like _all_ the Republican candidates for POTUS cave into the religious right. The first prominent Pub who stands up to them will be a hero to me. I thought it might be McCain. He revealed himself to be nutless. McCain was my hero when he was caught dissing the religious right in 2004, sadly that person is gone now. > [@laughingboy](#): > > Everyone is free to choose based on whatever criteria they like. Personally, I’ll make my selection based upon a range of issues. > > As has been pointed out, this conversation has drifted from the OP, so now I’ll take my leave. And the range does include McCain prominently, his position on torture has become a joke as he is supporting an administration that has a position that justifies what the Vietcong did to McCain. Seeing that now he is supporting intervening in Iran and Georgia is also an issue why I will not vote for McCain. So those are only some among the range of issues why I was not going to vote for McCain, Palin is just now a confirmation why I should not trust the Republicans once again. ---
**Author:** ![Library\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Library\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Library_Boy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/55 "2008-09-08T03:33:10Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > He didn’t have the guts to pick Liberman then, why would he now? He completely caved into the religious right, just like _all_ the Republican candidates for POTUS cave into the religious right. The first prominent Pub who stands up to them will be a hero to me. I thought it might be McCain. He revealed himself to be nutless. No argument from me, I thought Palin was a gutless pick, and ended any thought that I might vote for him based on the memory of the McCain from 2000. I still think that Lieberman is a choice he might make (too late) if Palin was gone. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/56 "2008-09-08T04:00:06Z")
These “little green footballs”? Are they like the brown barrels? Bummer, man. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/57 "2008-09-08T04:00:59Z")
> [@gravitycrash](#): > > As soon as one single Liberal on this board admits that global warming could maybe be wrong due to humans and now taught in public schools as fact is the day that I will denounce creationism being taught. > > I happen to believe in evolution but what is wrong with an alternative viewpoint? There IS no scientifically valid alternative to evolution. None. If you are going to bring global warming in as an analogy, it would be more like a choice between the mainstream theory of global warming being caused by humans, and an “alternative theory” of it being caused by invisible goblins summoning fire elementals. With exactly zero evidence for the latter. > [@gravitycrash](#): > > We have solid evidence that the planet goes through heating and cooling cycles way before humans were hunting woolly mammoths. And claiming that humans have no effect on the climate amounts to a denial of known physics. The deniers like yourself are claiming that **magically** all the CO2 that we pump out has no effect. And that it’s pure chance that ice that’s been frozen since before history began is melting. The denial of global warming is purely political, and an example of the typical conservative attitude that they can simply command reality to be the way they want. And it’s as disastrous as such attitudes always are. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/58 "2008-09-08T04:29:13Z")
You folks do realize that we currently have a president who believes that the war in Iraq is a holy war, that God speaks directly to him, and (I think) believes in Creationism, right? I fear Ahmadinejad more than Palin, because he has the real power in Iran, the mullahs, backing the idea of bringing down the US. Palin doesn’t want to destroy the country; she wants to rule it (or at least have her people rule it) and to plunder it. But even if Palin were to get into the Presidency, there is very little (although non-zero) chance that she could get congressional authorization to take military action against Iran, unless she frames up some evidence supporting clear and present danger - and that involves a pretty large and complex conspiracy. I don’t think she’d want it that much. She strikes me as a gal with an eye to the main chance. People like that talk a great deal about their religion, but I don’t think they go to great risks for it. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/59 "2008-09-08T04:30:59Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > These “little green footballs”? Are they like the brown barrels? Bummer, man. If you can remember the Internet, you aren’t _there_, man. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490/60 "2008-09-08T14:47:24Z")
> [@Oy](#): > > You folks do realize that we currently have a president who believes that the war in Iraq is a holy war, that God speaks directly to him, and (I think) believes in Creationism, right? > > I fear Ahmadinejad more than Palin, because he has the real power in Iran, the mullahs, backing the idea of bringing down the US. Palin doesn’t want to destroy the country; she wants to rule it (or at least have her people rule it) and to plunder it. But even if Palin were to get into the Presidency, there is very little (although non-zero) chance that she could get congressional authorization to take military action against Iran, unless she frames up some evidence supporting clear and present danger - and that involves a pretty large and complex conspiracy. I don’t think she’d want it that much. She strikes me as a gal with an eye to the main chance. People like that talk a great deal about their religion, but I don’t think they go to great risks for it. The Supreme Leader in Iran has the power. He is commander in chief of the forces, declares war and appoints officials. The president is limit to one term of 4 years. Ahmadinejad actually has very little power. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-palin-is-dropped-from-the-ticket-who-should-mccain-replace-her-with/462490.md?page=4)