So, if Palin does pull an Eagleton, who will take her place? History suggests it doesn't matter, that this would be such a catastrophic decision that the only question will be how big the Obama blowout will be, but this isn't 1972 and Obama is not Nixon. (Thankfully.)

Before choosing Palin, McCain could have picked Romney or Pawlenty or someone of that ilk. But now, that doesn't seem doable. It seems likely, to me, that he would have to fill her shoes with someone whom the social conservative base likes and knows.

The only option, as I see it, is Mike Huckabee -- who is the candidate the social conservatives wanted anyway.