# McCain Supporters, please answer a question **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 5, 2008, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100 "2008-09-05T01:21:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/1 "2008-09-05T01:21:10Z")
True or False: Sarah Palin is the most qualified Republican in the country to be Vice-President. I asked this question in another thread and all I got back was “Oh yeah, well Obama’s not qualified either.” I will concede that Obama is not the most qualified Democrat in the country to be President, but that’s not really the issue. Millions and millions of people together made the decision to nominate Obama; Palin was selected by one person. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/2 "2008-09-05T01:30:25Z")
"…millions of people together made the decision to nominate Obama; Palin was selected by one person. " Well, thats not strictly true. Last night, several hundred Republican delegates added their support to McCain’s choice. But over the next twenty months, as Palin tours the country and wins primary elections, and engages in dozens of public debates, she can earn the support of millions and…what? The election is WHEN? There are HOW many debates? Okay, skip all that. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/3 "2008-09-05T01:32:47Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Well, thats not strictly true. Last night, several hundred Republican delegates added their support to McCain’s choice. Ok, seriously…when was the last time a convention failed to nominate a candidate’s selected VP choice? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/4 "2008-09-05T01:37:34Z")
I don’t know what counts as qualified, frankly - historically what matters here is whether the choice will help the ticket politically. And I think that’s an open question right now too. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/5 "2008-09-05T01:41:04Z")
Can I answer if I’m not a McCain supporter? (I’m guessing you aren’t going to get a large response unless non-McCain supporters chime in, considering how the board leans). > [@](#): > > True or False: Sarah Palin is the most qualified Republican in the country to be Vice-President. Of course not. Of course, ‘most qualified’ is sort of subjective. That said, I don’t think anyone is saying she is most qualified. Of course, turning that around, I’m not thinking that Biden is the ‘most qualified Democrat in the country to be Vice-President’ either…he is simply a guy (white…old) to steady the ticket and bring in supposed experience that Obama lacks. So…like Palin he was selected for purely POLITICAL reasons that really have nothing to do with how ‘qualified’ he is or isn’t. > [@](#): > > I asked this question in another thread and all I got back was “Oh yeah, well Obama’s not qualified either.” I will concede that Obama is not the most qualified Democrat in the country to be President, but that’s not really the issue. Millions and millions of people together made the decision to nominate Obama; Palin was selected by one person Well, the difference though is that Palin is running as the backup…Obama is running as the first string. -XT ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/6 "2008-09-05T01:47:13Z")
I can’t find the cite for this, but: Current plans are for Palin to have no unscripted, uncontrolled appearances. She’ll be produced for speeches and “town hall forums” with carefully selected audiences, but otherwise she’ll be shielded from the press and public until the one debate. Ah. [Found the cite.](http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/09/no_questions_please_were.html) > [@](#): > > According to Nicole Wallace of the McCain campaign, the American people don’t care whether Sarah Palin can answer specific questions about foreign and domestic policy. According to Wallace – in an appearance I did with her this morning on Joe Scarborough’s show – the American people will learn all they need to know (and all they deserve to know) from Palin’s scripted speeches and choreographed appearances on the campaign trail and in campaign ads. - snerk \* Loved this comment on that article: [quote] The biggest “tell” I’ve seen lately on the status of our media: Joe Klein saying last night: It will, obviously, be crucial for Obama and Biden to make clear the inaccuracies in her speech–and her relentless mischaracterizations of Obama’s positions, especially taxes. So the media can no longer be asked to even point out when a candidate is flat-out lying. And when Obama DOES point it out, the GOP will lie again – saying that the first lie wasn’t a lie. Repeat until November. Someone who’s interested in America’s energy future might want to hook up a turbine at Thomas Jefferson’s grave. [quote] ---
**Author:** ![squeekster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/779978/32.png) [@squeekster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeekster)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/7 "2008-09-05T01:49:28Z")
> [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](#): > > True or False: Sarah Palin is the most qualified Republican in the country to be Vice-President. I don’t think it can be a flat out true or false. She is probably not **the most qualified** , but she a heck of a lot more qualified that Obama is. > [@](#): > > Millions and millions of people together made the decision to nominate Obama; I can’t help but think that a lot of those same millions of people are probably having second thoughts by now. 🆒 > [@](#): > > Palin was selected by one person. True. But after last night, millions of people will also be backing that one person who selected Palin. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/8 "2008-09-05T01:51:27Z")
> [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](#): > > True or False: Sarah Palin is the most qualified Republican in the country to be Vice-President. > > I asked this question in another thread and all I got back was “Oh yeah, well Obama’s not qualified either.” I will concede that Obama is not the most qualified Democrat in the country to be President, but that’s not really the issue. Millions and millions of people together made the decision to nominate Obama; Palin was selected by one person. Well, of course not. There’s Bob Dole, for one. Not to mention a host of of senators, governors and congressman, not to mention business leaders. But I think the question you ask is moot. The question is, is there someone who would improve McCain’s chance of winning more than Palin. And, while I was dismayed at first, I can’t think who that person would be. Also, given what McCain wants to do, change Washington, I am aware of no other person who fits so well into those plans. ---
**Author:** ![KarmaComa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@KarmaComa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarmaComa)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/9 "2008-09-05T02:17:33Z")
> [@squeekster](#): > > She is probably not **the most qualified** , but she a heck of a lot more qualified that Obama is. squeekster, the OP specifically asked the question _about Palin_ because this deflection was all he was getting. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/10 "2008-09-05T02:19:55Z")
> [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](#): > > True or False: Sarah Palin is the most qualified Republican in the country to be Vice-President. IANAR (and IANAMcCS), but I think the answer is pretty obvious. That being said, what’s the point of even asking such a question? Is Biden the most qualified Democrat in the country to be Vice-President? > [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](#): > > Millions and millions of people together made the decision to nominate Obama; Palin was selected by one person. The same could be said about Biden. Ultimately, it’s the choice of the presidential candidate, and no one else. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/11 "2008-09-05T02:27:16Z")
> [@LilShieste](#): > > IANAR (and IANAMcCS), but I think the answer is pretty obvious. > > That being said, what’s the point of even asking such a question? Is Biden the most qualified Democrat in the country to be Vice-President? > > The same could be said about Biden. Ultimately, it’s the choice of the presidential candidate, and no one else. Then open a goddam thread about Biden. I’d be more than happy to discuss it. What I wanted to do is have a discussion about Palin’s qualifications, without an immediate diversion onto Obama or Biden, since that’s all I’ve heard anyone do on TV or on this board. That technique is called defocusing. Palin supporters are afraid to talk about her qualifications, so they take the focus off that question and put it somewhere, anywhere, else. I hate defocusing. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/12 "2008-09-05T02:35:58Z")
I have always preferred governors for President. It’s a job that most closely mirrors the position. They deal with budgets, education, infrastructure, health, job creation, and every other aspect of daily life. In many ways they have more impact than the President on the quality of life within a community. During emergencies they are the front line in coordinating rescue and aid through the use of the National Guard. The next closest thing to a governor would be the mayor of a large city. It’s evident when they fail and its evident when they succeed. Guliani is an example of what one person can do to change the standards of a community and also how to react in times of crisis. So far Palin has done a good job in Alaska. She cut the budget instead of committing short-term revenue gains to long term programs. I find that refreshing at a time when the word “budget” is a bipartisan game of who can spend the most. It’s easy to spend other people’s money and it’s even easier when you have a good revenue year. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Understander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/13 "2008-09-05T02:36:58Z")
> [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](#): > > Then open a goddam thread about Biden. I’d be more than happy to discuss it. What I wanted to do is have a discussion about Palin’s qualifications, without an immediate diversion onto Obama or Biden, since that’s all I’ve heard anyone do on TV or on this board. That technique is called defocusing. Palin supporters are afraid to talk about her qualifications, so they take the focus off that question and put it somewhere, anywhere, else. I hate defocusing. I know, right? But it’s going to happen and frankly we’re (Democrats, Obama supporters, the Light Side of the Force) going to do it, too. It’s an effective rhetorical technique. The trick is to catch the absolutely ridiculous and call it out and demand that the question be addressed on pain of forfeiting credibility forever. In this case, the evidence is mounting that Sarah Palin has … issues. When was the last time a Vice-Presidential candidate was so shielded? This still smells like a train wreck in motion. _shaking head_ Independence Party …separatist… isn’t that the huge red flag to end all huge red flags? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/14 "2008-09-05T02:48:17Z")
I think the question that should be asked is this: Say McCain decides to bow out of the race right now. Maybe he’s simply sick and tired of running. Maybe he realizes that his party’s platform is idiotic and bad for the country. Maybe someone finds a dead girl or a live boy hiding under his bed. Whatever the reason, he’s no longer running for president. Would Republicans nominate Palin to pick up the gauntlet and finish the race as the presidential candidate? Or would they nominate another “old white man” (thanks **xtisme**!) to head the ticket and let her stay in her quiet VP corner? I think if you were to present Dems with a similar situation, many would not have a problem with Biden stepping up. Yes, just as many would prefer Hillary be given another chance, but no one would deny that Biden had the qualifications to at least be reconsidered for the top post. But I think even the most fanatical conservatives would hesitate to nominate Palin, lipstick-wearing Hockey Mom\* _extraordinare_, for president. Someone convince me I’m wrong. \*It’s her self-created persona, so she only has herself to blame for its derogatory usage. If she wants to be taken seriously, she should have chosen a less pandering-to-a-select-demographic nickname. ---
**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 5, 2008, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/15 "2008-09-05T02:48:51Z")
When is the last time ANY President or Vice President was the most qualified person of their party? Answer: Almost never. Clinton was a small state Governor who catapulted over a whole bunch of Democratic bigwigs. He beat Bob Kerry, holder of the Medal of Honor, two term Senator and former Governor of Nebraska. He beat Paul Tsongas, Tom Harkin, and Bob Casey. Casey was the Governor of Pennsylvania, a much larger state. He also beat out the Governor of Virginia. Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer and one-term Governor of Georgia, beat ‘Scoop’ Jackson in the Democratic primary - A man who had been in the House or Senate since 1941, and was one of the most respected Democrats in the country. He also beat Adlai Stevenson, Mo Udall, Bob Byrd, and Hubert Humphrey among others. If you look at almost every Presidential election, both Republican and Democrat, you’ll rarely see that the ‘obvious’ or most qualified choice won. Often, the winner is the person who strikes just the right chord with the people at the right time, or who happens to be in the right place at the right time. Vice Presidential candidates are even more haphazard. Al Gore and George HW Bush were solid choices, as was Dick Cheney (based purely on experience and ‘qualifications’). But Spiro Agnew? Dan Quayle? Geraldine Ferraro? Speaking of Ferraro… Here’s an interesting parallel. Ferraro had been in in the House for four years when she was picked to be the VP candidate, climbing over numerous more qualified candidates. Here’s what the New York Times had to say about her candidacy: > [@The New York Times](#): > > Where is it written that only senators are qualified to become President?.. Where is it written that governors and mayors [are] too local, too provincial?.. Presidential candidates have always chosen their running mates for reasons of practical demography, not idealized democracy… What a splendid system, we say to ourselves, that takes little-known men, tests them in high office and permits them to grow into statesmen… Why shouldn’t a little-known woman have the same opportunity to grow?.. [T]he indispensable credential for a Woman Who [sic] is the same as for a Man Who [sic] - one who helps the ticket. Consider also that this was during the height of the cold war. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/16 "2008-09-05T02:57:49Z")
> [@squeekster](#): > > I don’t think it can be a flat out true or false. She is probably not **the most qualified** , but she a heck of a lot more qualified that Obama is. I’m sorry, but I can’t let that slide. Obama is less qualified than Palin? In what way? And do not cite ‘executive experience’; that makes her differently qualified, not more qualified. He has more experience in government. > [@squeekster](#): > > I can’t help but think that a lot of those same millions of people are probably having second thoughts by now. 🆒 Really? You think that people who voted for Obama are liking anything substantive about Palin, like her creationism and blanket opposition of abortion? ---
**Author:** ![Brunhilda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cdc98d/32.png) [@Brunhilda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brunhilda)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/17 "2008-09-05T02:58:54Z")
Palin is probably not the most qualified person in the Republican party. She is, however, uniquely suited to what McCain needs- a fellow maverick who will not fight him or try to undermine him, and she is able to add some charisma to the party. (I haven’t seen too many things like the Republican National Convention’s response last night. It was kind of amazing). In short, she may not have years of experience behind her, but she fits the overall puzzle relatively well. ---
**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 5, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/18 "2008-09-05T03:04:01Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > When is the last time ANY President or Vice President was the most qualified person of their party? Answer: Almost never. > > Clinton was a small state Governor who catapulted over a whole bunch of Democratic bigwigs. He beat Bob Kerry, holder of the Medal of Honor, two term Senator and former Governor of Nebraska. He beat Paul Tsongas, Tom Harkin, and Bob Casey. Casey was the Governor of Pennsylvania, a much larger state. He also beat out the Governor of Virginia. > > Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer and one-term Governor of Georgia, beat ‘Scoop’ Jackson in the Democratic primary - A man who had been in the House or Senate since 1941, and was one of the most respected Democrats in the country. He also beat Adlai Stevenson, Mo Udall, Bob Byrd, and Hubert Humphrey among others. > > If you look at almost every Presidential election, both Republican and Democrat, you’ll rarely see that the ‘obvious’ or most qualified choice won. Often, the winner is the person who strikes just the right chord with the people at the right time, or who happens to be in the right place at the right time. > > Vice Presidential candidates are even more haphazard. Al Gore and George HW Bush were solid choices, as was Dick Cheney (based purely on experience and ‘qualifications’). But Spiro Agnew? Dan Quayle? Geraldine Ferraro? > > Speaking of Ferraro… Here’s an interesting parallel. Ferraro had been in in the House for four years when she was picked to be the VP candidate, climbing over numerous more qualified candidates. Here’s what the New York Times had to say about her candidacy: > > Consider also that this was during the height of the cold war. How enlightening. Now, would you happen to have an opinion that has anything at all to do with OP? If you want to talk about Carter’s qualifications, start a thread about Carter. If you want to talk about Clinton’s qualifications, start a thread about Clinton. if you want to pontificate about Ferraro, fell free to start a thread about her. In _your_ opinion, was Palin the best choice McCain could have made for VP? If not, who would _you_ have picked? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/19 "2008-09-05T03:19:14Z")
I know we’re supposed to rest assured knowing we went with crappy choices in the past, but I’m not really convinced. After hearing all the rhetoric this summer about the need for strong leadership to deal with the problematic economy and terroristic threats all around us (plus the two wars we’re embroiled in), I’ve been led to believe that yes, we need the most qualified people we can get running this country. Now I’ll be the first to admit that qualifications aren’t necessarily tangible or quantifiable. On paper alone, there’s nothing about Obama that makes him look presidential. An inspiring up-and-comer, yes. But not necessarily Mr. President. But he possesses intangibles that I think could compensate for his weaknesses. Someone who’s charismatic, intelligent, and wise can assemble a good team of advisors. And someone’s who curious and intelligent enough can learn to jump through hurdles he’s never encountered before. Do I think Obama possesses the most qualifications out of all the possible choices? No. But I think he has the best mixture of strengths PLUS a fanbase that’s been with him since Day One of the campaign. It’s hard to argue that there’s a Democrat right now who could do the damn thing like Obama has. I don’t think the same can be said for Palin, while I do think it can be said for McCain. It won’t matter, though. Qualifications _should_\* matter, but this is a popularity contest ultimately. Chances are Americans will vote for Grandpop and his “hot” assistant and convince themselves that the strongest leaders were chosen. ---
**Author:** ![Clu-Me-In](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100/20 "2008-09-05T03:24:09Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Well, thats not strictly true. Last night, several hundred Republican delegates added their support to McCain’s choice. Yeah, like they had a choice. They’re party loyalists. It’s either agree or support Obama. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-supporters-please-answer-a-question/462100.md?page=2)