SARAH! SARAH! SARAH! Gov. Palin wows her national GOP

ST. PAUL -- It was a passionately partisan crowd. Its 20,000+ members were eager to love her. And after recent relentless days of negative stories about Sen. John McCain's pick for a running mate, the Republicans packing the Xcel Energy Center here were feeling besieged by an alien media, as the GOP has for decades.

But tonight for the first time in its more than 16-decade history, the Republican Party nominated a woman vice president, and fell in love with her at the same time.

Whether that translates into enough votes for the John McCain-Sarah Palin ticket to win the White House on Nov. 4 will be decided in the next 61 days of campaigning. But for tonight among her own extensive family and among the GOP family assembled in this graceful old city named for a saint known for patience, Gov. Palin scored a rhetorical hat trick (a term any hockey mom would know).

At least inside the building.

We'll publish the historic speech's entire text below, along with some of the crowd's favorite lines. And here, before we describe more, are some video highlights:

Palin praised the top of the ticket for his courage and leadership. She vowed they'd reform a national capital that was once a swamp.

She delivered some pretty sharp elbows to the opposition's chin, as she did on the high school basketball court, where her nickname was Sarah Barracuda.

And she presented herself as a determined small-town mom aware of the needs and challenges of real American families.

The 44-year-old Palin had the presence of a former broadcaster, the poise of a former beauty contestant. The down-to-earthiness of a mom with five children, from 19 years old down to 4 months. And the realistic eye of a natural politician who knows the sales appeal of reform and the power of the pause.

And in doing so, Palin won the hearts of the delegates, who were but enthusiastic extras in the television drama transmitted into millions of homes. There, many Americans got their first impression of....

...this governor from a vast, distant land that was purchased from Russia by history's second Republican administration.

In her one ad lib of the evening, Palin drew a resounding roar from the crowd that frequently broke into chants of "Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!" "You know the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull?" asked the mother of five, pausing perfectly as the noise died. "Lipstick!" (See video below.)

Her husband of 20 years, Todd, a United Steelworkers Union member, smiled and nodded knowingly to those sitting around him.

By Monday she'll be out on the campaign trail on her own, delivering the message of the day as the No. 2 salesperson in the exhausting routine that is a national campaign.

And that will be yet another test for the former mayor and current governor who stood down her own party's establishment to win the state's chief executive job two years ago.

Strong and normal were the reactions of many delegates. Dick Stoffel is a 65-year-old carpenter who lives six miles down the road from Palin's home in Wasilla. He told The Times' Bob Drogin that he's worked for and contributed to her campaigns since she first ran for mayor.

"She's in touch with the common person," Stoffel said. "She admits she's not a perfect person. She has problems like anyone else. But she doesn't hide them. She's genuine."

"A political star was born tonight," Paul Viar, a retired GM worker from Michigan told our Maeve Reston. "That was astonishing!"

For video highlights of the speech, go here.

--Andrew Malcolm

Some of the crowd's favorite lines:

"I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves.

"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

"In April, my husband, Todd, and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig. From the inside, no family ever seems typical. That's how it is with us.

"Our family has the same ups and downs as any other ... the same challenges and the same joys. Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge. And children with special needs inspire a special love.

"To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.

"I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House."

"Sudden and relentless reform never sits well with entrenched interests and power brokers. That's why true reform is so hard to achieve."

"We've all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers. And there is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs...but not a single major law or reform -- not even in the state Senate."

"In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

"My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of 'personal discovery.' This world of threats and dangers is not just a community, and it doesn't just need an organizer.

"And though both Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden have been going on lately about how they are always, quote, 'fighting for you,' let us face the matter squarely.

"There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you ... in places where winning means survival and defeat means death ... and that man is John McCain."

Remarks by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

Mr. Chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens: I am honored to be considered for the nomination for Vice President of the United States.

I accept the call to help our nominee for president to serve and defend America.

I accept the challenge of a tough fight in this election... against confident opponents ... at a crucial hour for our country.

And I accept the privilege of serving with a man who has come through much harder missions ... and met far graver challenges ... and knows how tough fights are won - the next president of the United States, John S. McCain.

It was just a year ago when all the experts in Washington counted out our nominee because he refused to hedge his commitment to the security of the country he loves.

With their usual certitude, they told us that all was lost -- there was no hope for this candidate who said that he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war.

But the pollsters and pundits overlooked just one thing when they wrote him off.

They overlooked the caliber of the man himself - the determination, resolve, and sheer guts of Senator John McCain. The voters knew better.

And maybe that's because they realize there is a time for politics and a time for leadership ... a time to campaign and a time to put our country first.

Our nominee for president is a true profile in courage, and people like that are hard to come by.

He's a man who wore the uniform of this country for 22 years, and refused to break faith with those troops in Iraq who have now brought victory within sight.

And as the mother of one of those troops, that is exactly the kind of man I want as commander in chief. I'm just one of many moms who'll say an extra prayer each night for our sons and daughters going into harm's way.

Our son Track is 19.

And one week from tomorrow -- September 11th -- he'll deploy to Iraq with the Army infantry in the service of his country.

My nephew Kasey also enlisted, and serves on a carrier in the Persian Gulf.

My family is proud of both of them and of all the fine men and women serving the country in uniform. Track is the eldest of our five children.

In our family, it's two boys and three girls in between - my strong and kind-hearted daughters Bristol, Willow, and Piper.

And in April, my husband Todd and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig. From the inside, no family ever seems typical.

That's how it is with us.

Our family has the same ups and downs as any other ... the same challenges and the same joys.

Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge.

And children with special needs inspire a special love.

To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.

I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House. Todd is a story all by himself.

He's a lifelong commercial fisherman ... a production operator in the oil fields of Alaska's North Slope ... a proud member of the United Steel Workers' Union ... and world champion snow machine racer.

Throw in his Yup'ik Eskimo ancestry, and it all makes for quite a package.

We met in high school, and two decades and five children later he's still my guy. My Mom and Dad both worked at the elementary school in our small town.

And among the many things I owe them is one simple lesson: that this is America, and every woman can walk through every door of opportunity.

My parents are here tonight, and I am so proud to be the daughter of Chuck and Sally Heath. Long ago, a young farmer and habber-dasher from Missouri followed an unlikely path to the vice presidency.

A writer observed: "We grow good people in our small towns, with honesty, sincerity, and dignity." I know just the kind of people that writer had in mind when he praised Harry Truman.

I grew up with those people.

They are the ones who do some of the hardest work in America ... who grow our food, run our factories, and fight our wars.

They love their country, in good times and bad, and they're always proud of America. I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town.

I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better.

When I ran for city council, I didn't need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too.

Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown.

And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves.

I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening.

We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.

As for my running mate, you can be certain that wherever he goes, and whoever is listening, John McCain is the same man. I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment.< br>
And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone.

But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people.

Politics isn't just a game of clashing parties and competing interests.

The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it.

No one expects us to agree on everything.

But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and ... a servant's heart.

I pledge to all Americans that I will carry myself in this spirit as vice president of the United States. This was the spirit that brought me to the governor's office, when I took on the old politics as usual in Juneau ... when I stood up to the special interests, the lobbyists, big oil companies, and the good-ol' boys network.

Sudden and relentless reform never sits well with entrenched interests and power brokers. That's why true reform is so hard to achieve.

But with the support of the citizens of Alaska, we shook things up.

And in short order we put the government of our state back on the side of the people.

I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is the law.

While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for.

That luxury jet was over the top....

I put it on Ebay.

I also drive myself to work.

And I thought we could muddle through without the governor's personal chef -- although I've got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her. I came to office promising to control spending -- by request if possible and by veto if necessary.

Senator McCain also promises to use the power of veto in defense of the public interest -- and as a chief executive, I can assure you it works.

Our state budget is under control.

We have a surplus.

And I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending: nearly half a billion dollars in vetoes.

I suspended the state fuel tax, and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress.

I told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for that Bridge to Nowhere.

If our state wanted a bridge, we'd build it ourselves. When oil and gas prices went up dramatically, and filled up the state treasury, I sent a large share of that revenue back where it belonged -- directly to the people of Alaska.

And despite fierce opposition from oil company lobbyists, who kind of liked things the way they were, we broke their monopoly on power and resources.

As governor, I insisted on competition and basic fairness to end their control of our state and return it to the people.

I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history.

And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly forty billion dollar natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.

That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart.

The stakes for our nation could not be higher.

When a hurricane strikes in the Gulf of Mexico, this country should not be so dependent on imported oil that we are forced to draw from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

And families cannot throw away more and more of their paychecks on gas and heating oil.

With Russia wanting to control a vital pipeline in the Caucasus, and to divide and intimidate our European allies by using energy as a weapon, we cannot leave ourselves at the mercy of foreign suppliers.

To confront the threat that Iran might seek to cut off nearly a fifth of world energy supplies ... or that terrorists might strike again at the Abqaiq facility in Saudi Arabia ... or that Venezuela might shut off its oil deliveries ... we Americans need to produce more of our own oil and gas.

And take it from a gal who knows the North Slope of Alaska: we've got lots of both.

Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's energy problems - as if we all didn't know that already.

But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all.

Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we're going to lay more pipelines ... build more nuclear plants ... create jobs with clean coal ... and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources.

We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers. I've noticed a pattern with our opponent.

Maybe you have, too.

We've all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers.

And there is much to like and admire about our opponent.

But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate.

This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word "victory" except when he's talking about his own campaign. But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed ... when the roar of the crowd fades away ... when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot - what exactly is our opponent's plan?

What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet? The answer is to make government bigger ... take more of your money ... give you more orders from Washington ... and to reduce the strength of America in a dangerous world. America needs more energy ... our opponent is against producing it.

Victory in Iraq is finally in sight ... he wants to forfeit.

Terrorist states are seeking new-clear weapons without delay ... he wants to meet them without preconditions.

Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America ... he's worried that someone won't read them their rights? Government is too big ... he wants to grow it.

Congress spends too much ... he promises more.

Taxes are too high ... he wants to raise them. His tax increases are the fine print in his economic plan, and let me be specific.

The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes ... raise payroll taxes ... raise investment income taxes ... raise the death tax ... raise business taxes ... and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars.

My sister Heather and her husband have just built a service station that's now opened for business -- like millions of others who run small businesses.

How are they going to be any better off if taxes go up? Or maybe you're trying to keep your job at a plant in Michigan or Ohio ... or create jobs with clean coal from Pennsylvania or West Virginia ... or keep a small farm in the family right here in Minnesota.

How are you going to be better off if our opponent adds a massive tax burden to the American economy? Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election.

In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers.

And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.

They're the ones whose names appear on laws and landmark reforms, not just on buttons and banners, or on self-designed presidential seals.

Among politicians, there is the idealism of high-flown speechmaking, in which crowds are stirringly summoned to support great things.

And then there is the idealism of those leaders, like John McCain, who actually do great things. They're the ones who are good for more than talk ... the ones we have always been able to count on to serve and defend America.

Senator McCain's record of actual achievement and reform helps explain why so many special interests, lobbyists, and comfortable committee chairmen in Congress have fought the prospect of a McCain presidency -- from the primary election of 2000 to this very day.

Our nominee doesn't run with the Washington herd. He's a man who's there to serve his country, and not just his party.

A leader who's not looking for a fight, but is not afraid of one either. Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the current do-nothing Senate, not long ago summed up his feelings about our nominee.

He said, quote, "I can't stand John McCain." Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps no accolade we hear this week is better proof that we've chosen the right man.

Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can't stand up to John McCain. That is only one more reason to take the maverick of the Senate and put him in the White House.

My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of "personal discovery." This world of threats and dangers is not just a community, and it doesn't just need an organizer.

And though both Senator Obama and Senator Biden have been going on lately about how they are always, quote, "fighting for you," let us face the matter squarely.

There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you ... in places where winning means survival and defeat means death ... and that man is John McCain.

In our day, politicians have readily shared much lesser tales of adversity than the nightmare world in which this man, and others equally brave, served and suffered for their country.

It's a long way from the fear and pain and squalor of a six-by-four cell in Hanoi to the Oval Office. But if Senator McCain is elected president, that is the journey he will have made.

It's the journey of an upright and honorable man -- the kind of fellow whose name you will find on war memorials in small towns across this country, only he was among those who came home.

To the most powerful office on earth, he would bring the compassion that comes from having once been powerless ... the wisdom that comes even to the captives, by the grace of God ... the special confidence of those who have seen evil, and seen how evil is overcome.

A fellow prisoner of war, a man named Tom Moe of Lancaster, Ohio, recalls looking through a pin-hole in his cell door as Lieutenant Commander John McCain was led down the hallway, by the guards, day after day.

As the story is told, "When McCain shuffled back from torturous interrogations, he would turn toward Moe's door and flash a grin and thumbs up" - as if to say, "We're going to pull through this." My fellow Americans, that is the kind of man America needs to see us through these next four years.

For a season, a gifted speaker can inspire with his words.

For a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds.

If character is the measure in this election ... and hope the theme ... and change the goal we share, then I ask you to join our cause. Join our cause and help America elect a great man as the next president of the United States.

Thank you all, and may God bless America."

Photo of Palin at the podium: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times
Photo of Palin and her family: Joshua Roberts / Bloomberg News

Comments

[Bob Doley]

Yep... Another corrupt Republican stoooly trying to portray an image of class and honor.

The same one Dick Chaney portrayed.

I hope the "Un-Educated Poor White Males" take a close look at their wallets and realize their party is nothing but a bunch of lies.

[dculling]

Hahaha, no matter how much the Liberals spew their hatred and anger they can't stop McCain and Palin.

Keep trying though, you're angst amuses me.

[Raymond]

@Marcelo: It's amazing how hypocritical you are regarding Palin vs. Obama. You criticize her for diminishing Obama's past as a community organizer, yet all weekend the Obama campaign was diminishing Palin's record by saying she "was only a mayor of a town of less than 10,000 people", completely skipping the fact she is currently a governor. Quid pro quo. I guess it's okay to criticize Palin, after all, since he's just a woman right? And should be home taking care of her kids, right? And do you really think Obama writes his own speeches? I think not. In fact, didn't he say he had 2500 staffers? Oh, I guess none of them are writers. Finally, regarding Obama's books, her point was simple: he was spending all his time as a senator writing books about himself instead of doing his job. Sounds like a good point of criticism to me. Is he really representing the people of Illinois by writing a book about himself? As far as Obama or Biden "attacking" McCain, they can't, and they know that. How do you attack a man who has served his country all his life, risking life and limb? Heck, McCain can't even salute the flag because of his sacrifices for this country and his fellow Americans.

[Margie]

Great speach from Palin. I loved the part about putting the ex-governors jet on ebay. I don't understand why the democrats on CNN said that she didn't say anything about the economy. Not over taxing, cutting government spending, becoming energy independent, reducing the size of government, not catering to special interests, creating jobs as we improve energy production, will all help our economy! I am concerned that they didn't get that! Didn't she say that Alaska now has a surplus and the citizens of Alaska were rewarded with some of their own money back? She kicked butt and I loved every minute of it!! I cannot believe that Barack Hussein Obama compared being in charge of a political campaign to the experience needed to be a president. Does he even manage his own campaign?? Why is it only ok to vote for a woman if she is a democrat? When Republican women or Republican people of color who have worked hard, are qualified and have earned high positions in government they are insulted by being called "Uncle Tom's" or token females, (Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas")These fine individuals qualifications are ignored by the dems because of their race or gender and the fact that they are Republicans. When an unqualified individual steps up in the Democrat party the Dems step all over themselves to praise the individual because of race. It's as if it were a coloring contest to show that they approve of their color. I am pretty sure that Governor Palin does not need anyone to approve of the fact that she is a woman. She will stand on her credentials!

[R Khan]

I am going to cancel my subscription to the LA Times tomorrow! No wonder the newspaper is facing such dire challenges - you guys have taken the integrity out of reporting and turned your columns into ideological clap trap. And, you call yourselves journalists! What ever happened to objectibe reporting - the cornerstone of integrity reportage? This is yellow journalism.....no more LA Times for me.

[TJ]

You know, this really is "more of the same". They have nothing to offer but to personally attack the opposition within the safe confines of their bland looking captive audience.
The fact that they can diminish the work of a Community Organizer demonstrates they have no understanding of communities in large cities that need organizing and advocacy.
Obama has led; he is leading now because we are in a crisis right now and right here and they are unaware of that crisis and do not care. They want to "reform" Washington, forgetting that means reform themselves, since they have decimated everything they have touched in the past 8 years of Republican Administration and 6 of those years with a Republican Congress.
Nothing about this convention has anything to do about The People, whereas, last week was all about the people, even the everyday people like Barney Smith who asked that his president do as much for Barney Smith as he does for Smith Barney. This convention has been a wipe out and an accurate reflection of why I have decided that I simply cannot vote this ticket or this party. I will do as Hillary asks and remember why I supported her in the first place, for all the people in this country and for our country.
She will not play well in Peoria.

[larry]

There was no substance to the speech. Another USA is the best kind of speech. She said nothing about her vision of where to take America, what her agenda for legislation is, her views on what makes america secure other than doestic oil and win wars. Tell me what she believes in. I want to know. All I learned is that she can read a well written speach by someone else and can play a partisan crowd.

[letsjustvote]

Eight is enough!

[Joe]

Hey Marcelo,
You have been reading other posts that say that Palin made a bad impression? What nonsense. I read your meandering diatribe and its pretty obvious that Palin could have said that she had discovered the cure for cancer--and you would have panned her. Try doing a Google News search and check out the universal and overwhelming positive response to her speech, and a good deal of it coming from some INTELLECTUALLY HONEST liberals. Its the failure of people like you to give credit where credit is due that is going to lose this election for the Democrats. Its even more galling that you are critical of Palin while supporting the least qualified candidate to everrun for President. A man who wholly supports abortion--which is nothing more than Black genocide. You can't get your mind around the concept of a woman who actually places a real value on every human life, as you wait for Savior Obama to give you your next clue. How very sad. If you think that Americans didnt identify with Palin's speech--just take a look at the polls about 72 hours from now.

[Steve]

The Republicans have hit a home run with Sarah and John.....they have the qualities that we need as leaders of a country in need of serious reform....not some inexperienced Socialist from Chicago.

[Scott]

Sarah Palin was absolutely brilliant tonight! She needed to get to first base and she hit a Grand Slam! I'd vote for her for President if I could. Obama is a joke, not a candidate. She really hammered him on some very obvious and REAL issues that the media seems to pass over again and again. I can't believe that anyone can read his health care plan and not see how patently ridiculous it is. McCain made an absolutely brilliant choice for his VP and, in doing so, gained a lot more of my esteem and respect. I am now a very solid McCain supporter. Thank you Sarah!

[jim]

Marcelo,are you just a really poor judge of great speech
making or just ignorant.Earth to Marcelo, she's running
for office.Did you listen to bore your ass to death Biden's
speech?Give us a break.I realize you are an Obama
backer and thats cool but until he shows me he can walk
on water he's just another Big Govt. shill.Appalling no,
Appealing yes!!! Sic 'em Pitbull.

[fairminded]

Of course, the liberal L.A. Times questions whether she connected outside of the convention...like they questioned that on the other side..being an independent and not really liking either Obama or McCain, I liked what Palin had to say...she did reach out to us "common" people who are working real hard to earn a living.

I generally don't get too involved but there is too much at stake and Obama has no experience..everyone is wishing and hoping with him...can't do that for the president...SInce I've been observing I've noticed such incredible bias with the news media...its sickening

[D.M.CA]

I feel that Palin is going to toxic to everybody around her,male and female. She appears to be a power grabber.I don't think that even MCain is safe. Palin is very docile because she is learning the ropes.but just wait,she will give even Rove a run for his money. He thinks he will be able control her. Rove is going to find he made a big.big mistake gettin Palin as VIP.
Talk about an asp in the bosum!.

[Spool Photography]

In times when all we hear are self serving speeches by politicians, that was a very refreshing speech.

Maybe if the media was not so hell bent finding or even making up sensational scandal stories, mostly false I may add, the brightest and smartest people would run for public office. Because in the end only then when the brightest and smartest lead a nation does a nation as a whole prosper and grow.

Sarah Palin sure seems to be a woman of good intelligence and common sense that much was clear from her speech. I hope she is tough enough to withstand the media barrage to take her down. That will benefit no one in the long run and the US will suffer as people like Sarah Palin/ Colin Powell will shy away from public office and you will be left electing second and third rate candidates. Look at who has run your country the past 20 or so years? That can not be good in the long term.

[BILL]

Palin is arrogant, presumptuous, disrespectful and spewing hubris.......she shows no modesty about herself. She is new on a political scene that has many veteran players like her boss. All this talk about her standing up to the oil companies and the established interests is hard to believe considering her attitude. She acts like a little spoiled highschool girl. Good luck McCain. Take your mascot to DC and she will get swallowed up.

[dp]

I'm cautiously hopeful about this next election. But if these people somehow manage to get elected, after all the damage their party has done these past 8 years, then our country has gotten dumber than I could ever have imagined.

[James]

If America falls for this show again we deserve everything we get.

For a democracy to be successful people need to be educated and well versed, not in the political messages of the day, but of the events that are defining their world. We must think, not merely listen. We must understand the credit crisis, the importance of asset backed commercial paper, the looming banking implosion, the widening gap of income inequality and the economics of health care, then, and only then will we sufficiently perform of democratic duty.

This is not American Idol, this not a popularity contest. If the only reasons you have to vote for a candidate, is because you understand them, or you agree with them, then you have nothing, because I have yet to hear any politician on either side say something of substance.

We are a people too lazy to care, too stupid to think and too complacent to change.

PS

I am an elitist. When I am sick, I want to go the smartest doctor from the best university at the top of his or her field. To hold the president or vice president to a different standard is ridiculous. I don't want them to be like me, I want them to be smarter, work harder and able to conquer the looming economic dangers that lie ahead.

[Jeff Harmon]

Wow,
I'm still stunned at how these lemmings can just eat it up. It's so sad how these people are so easily manipulated into repeatedly voting against their own self interest.

Perfect example, everyone is so absolutely sure about Mrs Palin's motives, intentions and character even when they know NOTHING about her!! They would defend her to the death already. Wow, talk about poor judgement.

Clean up the liberals in Washington?!? Where have they been for the last 8 years of Republican destruction?

America truly deserves 4 more years of fascism. Maybe they'll eventually tire of it.

[Kelly Jones]

It scares me to think that this lightweight character could be president any time soon. Journalism in the US has become one big tabloid experience. SARAH! SARAH! SARAH! - please - grow up, bloghead. This person might be deciding life and death issues for you and your family. I would not trust her for a minute, based on what I've heard about her limited experience and extreme views on abortion, global warming and religion. I think most people have enough sense to understand what's on the line here.

[Truth Detector]

How did Sarah Palin do tonight? Well, if the libs are foaming at the mouth tomorrow morning, then she did quite well.

[Mikey]

Marcelo, you must be new to the political process. It is the VP candidate's job at the convention to be the attack dog - or in Mrs Palin's case the pitbull. The headliner's (presidential nominee) job is to set the tone for the remainder of the campaign. It's how it has always been and will probably always be. It is really not fair comparing Palin's speech to Obama's.

I believe that she has "stuck" with middle America and middle ot the road voters. Sorry.

[Andrew]

"new-clear?" I assume this is Mr. Malcom's snarky criticism of her pronunciation of nuclear? You are grasping, sir.

[maggie]

Talk about hitting it out of the ballpark!! Looking forward to real change in Washington!

[Lorraine]

Ironically enough I sat with my 13 year old son and 17 year old daughter - hah - and we all three cheered the good Governor from Alaska on - and imagined for a moment how it will feel the day after the November election when SHE (hear us now - historically so - S-H-E) is all of our vice president. Bring it on - and in four years or eight if she decides to continue SERVING the public of America in the same spirit and with the same public serving (not Sarah serving or special interest serving) intent as all of our president - we can imagine that, too - and HOPE for that too.

Unafraid. Decisive. Not meanspirited - just to the poiint. If you thought there was not going to be someone to pointedly distinguish the hypocrisy and lack of experience in the dem party's ticket you were wrong. And as to the defense of our country - domestically and internationally as well as the economy - well don't worry - John McCain and Sarah Palin - after all of their terms in office and experience as leaders, have that well covered.

Sleep well, America. McCain/Palin has come to town - to win. And serve. Experience-wise that was never in doubt, Governor Palin just needed to clarify that all this evening. She did quite well - setting the record CRYSTAL CLEAR straight as to all of that. Wow!