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

[DaveT]

How can one challenge the "status quo" when the Republicans represent it? They are the impediment for change. Victory in Iraq? Oh, right, it's "in sight." But we're still there and men and women still are dying. The luxury jet was put on Ebay. Who got the money? Her or the Alaskan people. Palin may have said no the Bridge to Nowhere. But initially supported it. Only after Congress called it the most appalling pork-belly spending did she rescind her support. Palin talks about ethics reform, yet she is under investigation for a personally motivated wrongful firing. She stands on a platform that promotes teen abstinence, yet her minor-age daughter is pregnant. Cindy McCain says Palin has foreign policy experience "Because Alaska is close to Russia." I guess Palin has foreign policy experience with Santa Claus. Palin will help to open ANWR to drilling. Will this reduce our independence on petroleum? No. McCain supports building more nuclear reactors, but doesn't have an answer about nuclear waste disposal.
Palin says Obama would meet with terrorist nations (Iran) and calls it wrong. When Bush is now open to talking with Iran. Palin says "American produced energy" and the Party talks about Obama's isolationist policies. Yet billions of dollars are funneled to China. Free trade? Hardly. Foreign owned companies own many "American" corporations. Budweiser is now owned by a Belgium company. Jobs are going to China and India. GM spends more money in China and foreign countries, yet faces insolvency here in the U.S. Still, the Republicans have no answer for this.
The Bush Administration wants to grant amnesty to Mexican illegal immigrants. And have an open door work policy. Yet the administration is building a wall along our border. Is Palin charming? She seems likable. She was a beauty pageant queen. Is that something a politician is proud of putting on their resume? She is a soccer mom. But did Palin ever help the poor or become an activist? No. Palin is no Hillary Clinton. It's crude to say this, but she is just a skirt for McCain to hide behind. When asked last week by a reporter what the role of the VP was, Palin said "I don't know." She may have improvised a line in her speech. But the speech was written weeks ago for a man. Just another tool for the Republican machine. McCain is a maverick. But a reckless one.

[annie]

WOW ..... Sarah...you hit it out of the ball park.

You NOW have this DEMOCRAT's VOTE.

[palinsomedumbmama]

McPain Campaign what a joke. Palins, modern day hillbillies. Sarah is a quick study, can lie with a straight face, trash talker, throw insults and sucker punches. She is a pawn in McCain's campaign. She is nothing but a cheerleading coach. He was forced to choose her. They didn't know each other prior to this whole fiasco. McCain is senile and Palin is a wide eyed, little climber from some hick town. She is so thankful that someone prepared this speech for her. Her speeches really sound like a PTA rally or at best city council. This is just the second coming of the BUSH era.

[CharlesRevere]

She is a strong and feisty woman, likeable on the surface. Able to connect to people with a smile, like Ronald Reagan.

But underneath, I think she is a cynical, selfish, manipulative and dishonest as any other politician.

She talks about family values but her family is a mess (wait till some more skeletons pop out of the closet).

She talks about reform but she is but a new cog in the same machine that has bankrupted our country economically and morally.

She talks about big government but lobbied aggressively for dollars for her hometown, and later cut aid to pregnant teens.

She will nevertheless appeal to swing-state voters who cannot see below the surface, and the Obama campaign should not underestimate her.

One good thing for those of us who are sick and tired of Republican-style politics is that she makes McCain look old and lifeless.

[John Hubbard]

It looks like NO-bama to me!!!

[Peter]

Seems the comments board is using double standard attacks that were similarly launched at Hillary Clinton. After getting non-stop attacked by the media.bloggers and the Obama camp, is she supposed to just take the abuse without a reply? Come on. Its Ok to say she's snipy, petty, over the top,etc, but then when any criticism is launched at Obama, the person is seen as a racist and opposed to "change:". Please, I can't believe America can fall for Obama so hard. Palin has had "executive" experience, Obama hasn't. I don't know why Dems keep biringing up she was mayor of a small town. Its just like running a small business: You have to do a lot more stuff, while if you are leading a larger town or business, there is much more staffing to do things. Such is an example of faulty liberal "intellect". Poor people don't hire people: Companies hire people.

[G]

I agree with Marcelo. It's not even going over well with moderate republicans. So how on earth will it grab any independent, or for that matter, Hillary supporters? The whole night was attack after attack. Enough already! How can McCain say he's different than G.W. when he's running basically the same smear campaign Bush ran against Kerry in 04? Think about it. Even the guy that wrote the swift boat book wrote one about Obama. The corruption in Washington starts at the top, and McCain is promising more of the same.

[mamacita]

I just donated most of my paycheck!

TO OBAMA!

I don't like you Sarah. I can do without the sarcasm. I can do without the sea of white, vicious, racist faces you spoke to at your convention. I can do without the snarky, vacuous mug of Cindy McCain smiling as you insulted a man who has devoted his entire adult life to bettering the lives of the downtrodden. You are a tool of George Bush, and nothing more. Your family is tacky and you are evil incarnate. I am so sorry that John McCain has sold out to the rabid evangelical hypocrites such as yourself.

It's pretty sad that you have to parade your little baby out on stage in that deafening roar. I'll bet you damaged his little eardrums tonight and you should be brought up on child abuse charges, you freaking hypocrite.

BLEAH to you, Sarah Palin. And I say this as a proud 4th generation Montana cowgirl who hunts and fishes and can stay on a buckin' horse like there's no tomorrow. You are an egotistical, self-serving woman with a voice that sounds like chalk screeching across a chalkboard.

I have never donated to a political campaign in my entire life. Thanks to you, Sarah, I have. GO OBAMA!!

[ken luskin]

A very low class woman! Perfect for the the party of hypocrites. She is clearly someone who does not believe in or understand science. She does not believe that people are causing global warming. She is constantly saying that everything is God's will. She is perfect for the party of stupid Americans. She is perfect fit with McSame who finished 3rd from the bottom of his class. If American want leaders that are barely educated then this is the ticket. I would not say that Alaska is a hot bead of technology. If America is going to succeed, it is by our genius for invention. Grandpa McSame does not even know how to use a computer! The party of the rich is now also the party of the stupid religious freaks!

[uf911]

90 seconds in to her speech, I realized that for most folks watching Palin this evening her message and delivery will form a mirror lensed by their own worldview. I loved her speech - and I had low expectations going in. I'm not at all surprised that some of the comments in this thread reflect an intense and diametrically opposed reaction.

And to the previous comments regarding her 'extremist' views on abortion, religion, climate change, etc. - the degree to which her positions diverge from the theoretical median policy is debatable. Perhaps some of her views could be labeled 'extreme', perhaps they are merely mainstream within her portion of the political spectrum. Regardless of the label, her views are not extremist in the sense of 'only held by a small percentage of the population' - from the published accounts I've read to date, her positions are similar to mine, my wife's, and the majority of our friend's viewpoints here on the east side of Seattle.

[matt]

I feel like I am in a bizzaro world. Up is down and down is up. I am a republican and completely embarassed by Palin. She is a total novice and didnt do anything to dispute it. If anything it seemed like she was proud that she is so inexperienced. I am so fearful for our country. Our party is missing a true leader in the Reagan mold. The GOP is nothing but negativity and cynicism. They will lose in a landslide this fall.

It is time for a completely new GOP. We need to rebrand our party and bring back our optimism.

[mishi]

awtm wrote: " loved the line...
" The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it."
Even my 6 year old was cheering"

That's because your 6-year-old doesn't remember that eight years ago the country was at peace and there was a budget surplus. And I bet he doesn't buy gas, doesn't hold a mortgage that's been foreclosed, doesn't have a relative who's been tortured at Guantanamo, and hasn't lost his job.

Better than Dubya found it? The Republicans who cheered that line should be ashamed.

[Luis]

Its sad to say, but we live in a society where people no longer bother to think critically about politics, but rather form their opinions about issues from mere sound bites. Palin's one-liners, jabs at the press and attempts to discredit Obama's career shows the GOP's readiness to resort to the lowest form of pandering in order to win an election. Hopefully, this time Americans are unwilling to put up with another four years of incompetence in the White House.

[TruthHound]

The majority of replies here reek of desperation. What was shown tonight was the final nail in Ubama's campaign and YOU ALL KNOW IT. Sarah Palin is like the Republican crucifix to the Democrat vampire. Hissssssssss. BHO is toast.

[dougX]

Man there are a lot of sexist hate liberals on this newspaper comment board. They are hypocrites and will do anything to tear Sarah Palen down. Guess they believe that the means justifies the end. The end being election of their messiah. Obamaism a religion of hate.

[doug kaimakis]

Her job, just like Biden's, is to be the pit bull. She was pretty good at that. Personally, her conservative views on life are alien to me, but i'm not a Republican (oh, sorry, GOP - I know you guys are trying hard to leave Bush behind).

I think she's probably done just fine, and since the VP choice is totally over-hyped, who cares? What really frosts me the most is that she was clearly chosen to try to attract some middle of the road female voters, especially those who share her views on contraception, choice, religion and guns.

I think both sides have over-reacted to her importance, and we would all be best served by focusing on the issues that are most important. No, not the war, and not drilling! Things like jobs, bank failures, high cost of college, national debt service, health care, etc.

It's the nature of politics to distill stuff to emotional triggers, which is why Bush won (kind of). It does neither side justice to stoop to that level - these folks are interviewing with us for their jobs!

I'll make a promise: I will hold my candidate, Obama, to focus on the bigger picture facing our country. I ask that McCain supporters do the same. With that, we can debate issues. I'm sure they're all good people with smart staff and truly believe they will and can do what's best. So, let's stop talking about Palin's voice and Obama's ears.

Unless you want to do exactly what they expect of you...
regards,
doug from seattle

[Windfall]

Under President Bush, the U.S. economy, already the largest in the world, grew 19 percent larger than the one he inherited from President Clinton. During this same period, the smaller economies of France, Italy and Germany grew by 13, 8 and 8 percent, respectively.

So now comes The Messiah with his plan to change our "failed policies" so that we can get our economic growth rate down to that of France, Italy and Germany.

We expect this sort of posturing from politicians but isn’t interesting how the so-called mainstream media can ignore the stats and promulgate the spin?

So should we be surprised at their treatment of Sarah Palin?

[Richard]

So the GOP has a new Dick Cheney. She's smart, an excellent speaker and as toxic as an oil spill.

But you know it might just work, goodness knows it has before.

Style: A
Content: F

A new right wing attack dog with the same old message.

DEMS PLEASE ATTACK THE MESSAGE NOT THE CANDIDATE. NOBODY CARES ABOUT HER PREGNANT DAUGHTER, EVERY BODY CARES ABOUT
HER STANDS ON THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE, STEM CELL RESEARCH, GLOBAL WARMING, DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC WL RESERVE.... GET THE POLICY WONKS ON EVERY TALK SHOW AND FORGET ABOUT THE BROKEN WATERGATE.

[roman]

I'm sorry to say this but... she didn't say anything! No roadmaps, nothing substantial. And the Republican record is selling high and performing low doesn't bode well for her or McCain. We've been lied to for too long to believe ANYTHING they have to say.

[Jose P.]

Governor Palin hit a home run with the blue collar workers of the rural parts of every state. Obama made a drastic mistake in picking Joe Biden. Biden brings no votes. Working women in the rural and suburb areas of this country are going to relate to Governon Palin and not to either Obama and Biden. Kudos to McCain for having the guts to go out of the box on this one. I bet Obama regrets picking Hilary or someone like Governor Palin

[LA-renter]

Sarah Palin and family, I think, would make great neighbors as long as...

(1) She's not making decisions that affect my life.

(2) She keeps her Christian superstitions private.

(3) Keeps her abstaining daughters away from my boys!

I liked her rendition of someone else's speech... Like all conventions, I guess we'll have to wait for something more spontaneous later.

[McCain/Palin!]

Hypocrites! Nothing but liberal hypocrites here. You all are saying that Palin was negative and attacking Obama. Well, what did Obama and Biden do? They attacked, attacked and attacked Bush and McCain. What has the press (otherwise known as the DNC communication division) done to Palin? Attack and smear her name and beat-up a 17 year old girl!

You're going to get beat by McCain and Palin. Thank GOD!

[An American Abroad]

Just imagine for a moment that it is June 2010 and President McCain suffers from a devastating heart attack. Russia is occupying more of Georgia and is threatening the Ukraine; the European Union has gathered troops in support of Poland (next on Russia's list) and Russia has stopped natural gas supplies for France, Germany and Italy. Sarah Palin is sworn in as President of the United States...

[Brandon]

I voted for Hillary in the primaries and was on the fence until recently for the general election. After watching this woman speak tonight, I am absolutely in Obama's camp. She was mean spirited, evil and overly critical of Obama's accomplishments in community service. One barb would have been okay, but again and again? She belittled all those people across America that work very hard to make their communities a better place. I thought she was a bit of a desperation move by McCain and although she is what the republican base whats, i don't believe she is what America wants. She represents the republican "values" of hipocrasy, negativity and lies to the highest degree. Her speach had zero substance and the only thing she said that wasn't negative was about McCain and her family. She was so negative tonight that I thought for a second she might even take a swipe at her own pregnant teenage daughter! I now really hope McCain gets whipped in November for choosing this right wing nut job!

[DaveT]

Palin stands on a platform for teen abstinence. Yet her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. Yet, the "liberal media" was told to back off from Palin. Bill O'Reilly originally called Jamie Lynn Spears' parents "pinheads" for letting their under-age daughter pregnant, yet says that Palin's family "problem" is not a problem at alll. Palin should be commended as a "good parent." Is she a "pinhead" too? Where does the hypocrisy from the Right stop? If the "liberal media" attacks Palin, they are accused of the "sexist card." Hillary played that game. Is Palin? I don't know yet. But her handlers are complaining. Calling foul. Palin is no saint. No politician is. She called for banning certain books in her state. Okay, then Mein Kampf is okay. She wants to bring religion back into the school. Are we over this? She believes in creationism. Not science. I guess God just made the Alaskan oil from magic dust. Palin is also against abortion and women's rights. And she's a woman. Palin is not a maverick. She is a closed-minded right wing evangelical who would take our country backwards. She is the next George Bush. So who is the real Sarah Palin? I still don't really know. She may well be a governor of an economically "rich" state. Thanks to oil. But cutting state taxes doesn't make up for the overall poor economy of the state. The price for food is incredibly high there. (It has to be trucked in). The salmon fishing industry is going downhill. Thank you global warming. But Palin doesn't believe in it. The permafrost in her own state is melting. Try building roads in the summer to these "new" oil rigs. Safe drilling and exportation of oil. Have we forgotten the Exxon Valdese?
Republicans will of course be happy with their VP selection. They have to. But certainly they were happy with Dick Cheney (the master of all evil). Or Spiro Agnew. Or Richard Nixon (Eisenhower). Perhaps the only "good guy" Republican VP was Gerald Ford. A likable guy. But then again he pardoned Nixon. Bad. And Dan Quayle? An idiot. Who's to make of Palin. We will see. I like the old McCain. The McCain of 2000. If McCain ran as an Independent, then I'd call him a maverick. I might vote for him. But he's tied to a tired old party. A corrupt administration. An administration that permits torture. And yet McCain has pulled back from his tirade against torture and supports Bush. McCain has voted 95% of the time with GW. Where's his maverick spirit. McCain did not support the GI Bill, which was introduced by the Democrats. McCain says he supports our troops, but turns his back on its veterans. Has he learned nothing from Vietnam? Does Palin know anything about Vietnam? And the tragedy of a protracted war. No. Victory is in sight, she says. She uses that arrogant word "VICTORY." Who's the victor? With thousands of dead American soldiers and Iraqi citizens, there is no winner. WINNER. Why does she and her party care so much about winning? War is hell. War is evil. A necessary evil. But not in Iraq. We took our eyes off of Afghanistan because of Iraq. The U.S. de-stabilized the entire Middle East. Billions of dollars are spent each week in Iraq. De-regulation has caused the price of fuel to go up. There isn't a true scarcity of oil right now. Sure, we are subject to the whims of OPEC or Saudi Arabia. But we can't blame them for the price at the pump. The blame is Exxon Mobil. Or Shell. Or BP. They set the price on gasoline. And they report a billion dollar profit. Exxon isn't out to cut us a deal. More oil doesn't mean a thing if Exxon Mobil or their entire cabal decides what to charge us. No regulations. Free enterprise. They get rich. And we get poorer. This is the world of the Republican nation. Less government. But more abuse. Who will protect us from lead tainted toys from China. Not our government if the Republicans had their way. Mattel would have to police themselves. It's all about the wolf protecting the henhouse. That's their philosophy. The government had to enact the Anti-trust law. Is that fair. Not to big business. But someone had to do it. We have the FDA and FEMA to protect us. But without them, who will? And FEMA screwed up with Katrina. "Great job, Brownie!" Another example of placing a person in high office with no experience. Palin is yet another example of this. The grand party of Lincoln. My foot. There is no connection or resemblance to Lincoln. They call upon the name of Teddy Roosevelt. Yet they don't say that he left his own party to form his own. HE was a true Maverick. If McCain was the maverick he says he is, he would run on the "Straight Talk Express" ticket. Enough said.