# Palin 2012: Why a bad thing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 5, 2008, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222 "2008-11-05T06:06:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/41 "2008-11-08T02:03:27Z")
Depends on where you live and who you talk to. Of the very conservative Repubs I know back home in Texas (about 40 or so), ALL of them were going to stay home until Palin was nominated. They were NOT enthused about John McCain, whom they saw as being the guy most liked by the Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/42 "2008-11-08T02:41:35Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > I like the cut of your jib. The GOP has gotta, gotta, gotta move toward the center. The sad thing is, they think they ARE the center-Obama’s a Marxist, remember? :rolleyes: Didn’t Barry Goldwater predict this would happen, right around the time the Religious Right started gaining power? That eventually, he and politicans like Bob Dole and such would become the new liberals? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/43 "2008-11-08T02:53:14Z")
It would be a very bad thing because if Sarah Palin runs in 2012 she might be elected. Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking somebody’s so terrible they have no chance of winning. What I’d like in 2012 (and every future election) is a choice between two candidates - either of whom I think would make a good president. It’s better to be able to pick the greater of two goods rather than the lesser of two evils. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/44 "2008-11-08T05:39:46Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > She may have reached her hotness shelf life expiration date by 2012. Then what’ll happen? I think a lot of her appeal to her fans is her attractive, youthful look. Her “freshness.” I don’t expect her to seem as “fresh” in four years. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/45 "2008-11-08T08:16:04Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It would be a very bad thing because if Sarah Palin runs in 2012 she might be elected. Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking somebody’s so terrible they have no chance of winning. . True- I’ll point out Dick Nixon as an example. ---
**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:** [November 8, 2008, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/46 "2008-11-08T08:50:51Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I think a lot of her appeal to her fans is her attractive, youthful look. Her “freshness.” I don’t expect her to seem as “fresh” in four years. Ladies–do you ever have election cycles where you just don’t feel “fresh” anymore? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/47 "2008-11-08T14:41:32Z")
1. Empty suit. 2. Vacant room. 3. Wiped hard drive. 4. Exposed roll of film. 5. Dry fuel tank. 6. Lights on, nobody home. 7. Random orbit. 8. All hat, no cattle. 9. Knife in a gunfight. 10. Brown shoe in a tuxedo world. ---
**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:** [November 8, 2008, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/48 "2008-11-08T15:06:23Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Great Debates. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/49 "2008-11-08T15:37:57Z")
Palin/Santorum 2012: What kind of American are you? ---
**Author:** ![Crackhead06](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/77aa72/32.png) [@Crackhead06](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crackhead06)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/50 "2008-11-08T16:04:04Z")
I don’t care if Palin would lose if she went '012 to Obama, that’s not what makes everything “good” or “bad”. What makes a good democracy is a good selection of candidates for leadership. It’s bad enough that America has only 2 parties that get attention. Making 1 party composed of complete meanies and another one sort of legitamit is terrible. I like having a variety of choices. I wouldn’t say I like everything about the democratic party, so I’d like another side that at least is willing to politely represent its policies The reason why I don’t like the republican party’s state right now is nothing to do with their views. It’s that a lot of the base of the party is these loudmouths that don’t want to talk things out in a polite fashion. They’d rather just bash the other side and make them look completely evil without any consideration of what the other side actually says. Unfortunately, Sarah Palin is one of those, and because of her charisma, she doesn’t get the same reaction. “Obama doesn’t see America the way others see it.” In the context she says that in the rally, it’s like calling him a terrorist, except in a nice sweet voice. If that came out of a stern lawyer McCain-like voice, then there would be a bigger reaction. I’m not saying Obama doesn’t get the same patronization for his charisma, but at least he has a good sense of judgement, and doesn’t go around in rallies questioning anybody’s American-ness. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/51 "2008-11-08T16:16:46Z")
The repubs have turned on her violently. They not only have joined the chorus of dems who said she was incompetent, but have released insider stories telling about her lack of knowledge. They are trying to make sure she does not return. She is in the best state for her brand of politics. It does not resonate with the mass of America. I hope that this exposes the nasty politics of the evangelical nut fringe for the voters. Their actions have been anything but godly. I hope this shows they are of marginal vote help and philosophically damaging. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/52 "2008-11-08T17:55:20Z")
Why is Palin any different from the many Democratic presidential hopefuls who don’t stand a chance, but who run anyway. Wasn’t there some Democrat in the primaries (from Alaska, too) who was an absolute laughing stock in the debates? Or, for what it’s worth, Mike Huckabee. Did he have much more knowledge about foreign affairs than Palin did? Sure, she was one of the least qualified VP candidates I can remember, but she certainly won’t be the least qualified primary candidate, if she chooses to run. She might be the most famous, but that’s a different story. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/53 "2008-11-08T18:27:48Z")
> **[Poll: 64 Percent Of Republicans Want Palin To Run In 2012](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/poll-64-percent-of-republ_n_142284)** > > Poll: 64 Percent Of Republicans Want Palin To Run In 2012 Apparently Palin is still the star. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/54 "2008-11-08T19:05:05Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > Well, sure it would make it easier for Obama, but what a boring campaign! I’d rather see him tested and challenged by someone who’s bright and well-educated. Someone who will represent the New Republican Party that emerges from the ruins. They need to turn a corner and present an inteligent and _viable_ alternative and move away from nutcases. (Think **Goldwater** as opposed to **Dan Quayle**. Did Quayle even consider running? (One thing I will say in his defense-I don’t recall him ever being as mean spirited as Palin. Mostly he was just a lovable doofus. Stupid, but never nasty.) ETA: Someone previous mentioned Santorum? [I don’t think so!](http://kdka.com/local/Rick.Santorum.vote.2.856342.html) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/55 "2008-11-08T20:11:57Z")
> [@Crocodiles\_And\_Boulevards](#): > > The reason it would be bad is because a Palin candidacy would suggest that 2012 Republican’s hadn’t learned _anything_ from our trials of 2000 to 2008. History doesn’t always repeat herself. Sometimes she screams “WHY DON’T YOU EVER LISTEN?!” and lets fly with a club. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/56 "2008-11-08T20:14:44Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > History doesn’t always repeat herself. Sometimes she screams “WHY DON’T YOU EVER LISTEN?!” and lets fly with a club. I am sooooo stealing that for my new sig. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/57 "2008-11-08T20:18:40Z")
> [@Rack-a-Bones](#): > > I’m not sure what your definition of stupid is, but Palin is pretty much the textbook definition of stupid if you ask me. I don’t think she is so much stupid (which implies inability to think) as she is intellectually lazy (which implies disinclination to think). ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/58 "2008-11-08T20:24:34Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I am sooooo stealing that for my new sig. I vaguely recall reading it somewhere – dredging my memory, I think the source was John Campell, but can’t pin it down. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/59 "2008-11-08T20:40:22Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > I vaguely recall reading it somewhere – dredging my memory, I think the source was John Campell, but can’t pin it down. Well, for now, I’ll simply link to your post, if that’s all right with you? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222/60 "2008-11-08T20:47:08Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > I vaguely recall reading it somewhere – dredging my memory, I think the source was John Campell, but can’t pin it down. Your memory serves you [well.](http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_W._Campbell) > [@](#): > > John Wood Campbell, Jr. (8 June 1910 – 11 July 1971) was an influential American science fiction editor and writer, known for his challenges to writers. > > Sourced > History does not always repeat itself. Sometimes it just yells, ‘Can’t you remember anything I told you?’ and lets fly with a club. > Statement in Analog Science Fiction/Fact magazine (1965) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222.md?page=4)