Awesome, wasn't it Simon??  I can't wait to hear more from her!

Simon,  I say she was on fire.  I would hate to be Obama.  She sure did put him in his place with several one liners.

John - It was wonderful. I was typing and listening and as soon as she finished I posted. OUTSTANDING!

Jimmy - they know they have an uphill battle. that is why they have been using the media to try and destroy her family. It will not work.

Simon, I was voting for John McCain before he nominated Palin but I was not excited.  I'M EXCITED!!! She is INCREDIBLE!!!

I missed her speech, so thank you so much for recapping it.  I am glad to hear it went AWESOME!

Matchel - it was going to be tough for me but I would have pulled the lever for McCain. Now I can't wait to do so. She will make a fine President one day and she will keep reminding McCain why he is in office when she's his VP.

I too sat with goosebumps as she gave her speech. There were so many awesome quotes that came out of her speech, but one that stood out to me was(I might not get this word for word...) "Some people use change to promote their career, and some use their career to promote change".

I found it not only inspiring politically, but personally as well. No matter where we are in life, we have the opportunity to stand up and do the right thing.

I actually started to feel bad for Barack. I had NO idea how great her speech would be.

Sara - I try to be first with the news!! She was still receiving her ovation when I hit the submit button! Subscribe today!

Kristy - you got the quote right. I have it in my notes. And you should run for something - I love this line from you:"No matter where we are in life, we have the opportunity to stand up and do the right thing."

Susan - somehow I knew - had a feeling - that it would be very special and it was.

Simon after the Hockey Mom line I knew she had it. She was phenomenal. The Republicans have found their pit bull and she's likeable.

Un-freaking-believeable! PERFECT! I just knew she would nail it, but she surpassed my expectations. Definitely the right choice for VP!!!!!!

An absolutely terrific performance - a natural, well spoken, humble, fiesty, focused, humorous - a great addition to the team.

Kudos Ms. Palin! No one could have done it better. It took a woman to give the most macho speech of the election so far!  What a strong woman! What a welcome change!

Strong! Compassionate! Intelligent!  Phenomenal Leadership Traits! She has my vote!

She failed to state that she supported the "bridge to nowhere" during her campaign for Governor.

Great real estate blog, I thought I was in the wrong site for a minute.  I really could not get goosebumps since their was never a word on how the administration was going to help the housing crisis that we are in. Spending on the war was clear but what about the mortgage crisis and American families loosing their homes. sorry no goosebumps here. Oh I forgot lets drill in florida for oil and drive down the cost of gas, savings that we will see in 10 years.

Hugh - she was outstanding!

Dee - it was very powerful

Gene - I really enjoyed it

June - perhaps the best comment so far!

EXCELLENT!!!  I am excited about Sarah and the talent she brings to this ticket.  They are in the position to stopall personal attacks on Obama/Biden and beat them simply on the issues. All four candidates are aggressive politicians and patriotic people, but this Republican ticket has leadership. 

Going over my notes, I think this might have been my favorite line:

"I guess a small town mayor is like a community organizer except you have ACTUAL responsibilities"

Joe - I agree

I think it is awesome that she pointed out that this is a "not a personal journey"...haha We have an excellent Team running and I only can "hope" that people can set aside the party names and vote for the best, most qualified for president and still enjoy the granola.  

It was an excellent speech. Tough act for mcCain to follow.

Carrie - yes I enjoyed that line too - and it really isn't. That's what the Dems don't get.

San Diego - I agree. He needs to be on the top of his game.

Lots of great one liners.  Things are really heating up here but I do feel that she is person of the people.  I wonder how Obama will respond. 

Kansas City Real Estate

Justin - I predict he will say nothing and hope his pit bulls (Matthews and Obermann) tear into her.

Simon, You are so right-the Dems think  it is all about them-meaning themself as each individual, not their party or others...all about satiety and getting what they want. This is what Obama preys upon, using it to his advantage in his speeches-he makes them feel as if he is speaking directly to each person-vaguely like a horoscope. We all know how reliable those are...

Palin  knocked the ball out of the ball park with the bases loaded.  Like I said before, she should be running for President.  She's smart, she's capable, and she represents "the people" the way no other candidate can or will.

Even the liberal media said this about her after the speech: A Star Is Born!

It is fascinating that people hear what they want to hear and who they want to hear. In that sense whoever hated McCain's gut would keep doing it before or after Palin's speech.

Every speech can be dissected, every speech can be interpreted. 

After listening to the campaign, I think that the fight is for those who are undecided, who are not bound by party lines. For them Palin may be an attractive choice, an average American mom and all that.

Hard core Republicans would not change their mind no matter what Obama or Biden says, and hard core Democrats would not change even if instead of Palin there was Ronald Reagan himself.

Wouldn't you agree?

Brenda - you are right!

CBS: Palin comes out swinging. GOP VP Candidate rips Obama; pledges to shake up Washington

Jon - I think hard core Democrat Hillary supporters just found the place to mark their ballots.

I LOVED her comment about going to Washington to serve the people and not to make the media happy.  (can't remember exactly how it was worded)

Simon, Seems McCain found a brilliant running mate. WOW, her speech was fantastic!!!! I had decided to vote for McCain awhile back with reservations but now I can actually cast my vote with confidence thanks to Palin. Great Blog !!!!!

I think this woman is the most exciting person to enter the political field in EONS.  WOW.. what a star she is... and who could resist those beautiful children? AMAZING lady and family.. GO SARAH!

She came across as a regular human being.  Like someone that would be on your HOA or PTA with you and not some Washington elitist like all the other candidates.  What a breath of fresh air.

I did read though that she WAS FOR the bridge to nowhere when she thought the feds were paying the full bill.  Once she found out Alaska had to pay some of the bill then she changed her mind.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26486063

Simon - this is the first time in 40 years (since Bobby Kennedy) that I am energized about a candidate, and a VP candidate at that. One of the best things about her speech, and I hope she keeps it up, she challenges Obama and Biden without anger, without rancor. Contrast that to Hillary, Pelosi, etc.

Even Camille Paglia and Wendy McElroy, who can in no way be called conservative (although McElroy might be considered libertarian) are impressed with Palin.

Mary - it's in my blog

NJ - I am fired up

Gail - Yes she is!

Rob - Thanks for the link

Mike - the other side is really unsure what to do

I will say that it was a LOT of shots directly at poor Obama.  He wasn't even there to defend himself against the onslaught she brought against this noble candidate.

Ok, I'm not even able to write that with a straight face...seriously though, no matter who you support in the election, this is going to be one of the most interesting elections of my life. 

Did anyone else find it odd that she introduced her family like that....and can a "hockey mom" of 5 with an infant really be the VP?  That would be the one weakness I could see in the way she presented herself because as a father of ONE 2 year old, I know how much a challenge that can be for my wife and I with NORMAL careers and my daughter isn't even special needs. 

I like her, don't get me wrong...I have hope again that SOMEONE will actually shake up the status quo in DC and actually DO something for the PEOPLE.  But is that too much to hope from an active mom of 5?

Hockey Mom - she shoots! she scores! Hatrick! Bravo Sarah

Susan - not to be too picky but I believe it's Hat Trick - but yes, she certainly scored.

A home run beyond any doubt.  It is just the first inning but I like the way the "Team" has jumped out.  Sarah Palin could be the "Change" that America needs.   What a refreshing breath of fresh air.  Personality, brains, the ability to speak and obviously knows how to connect. 

Ron, No one questioned Joe Bidens ability to be in the senate and care for his children after the tragedy that claimed his wife. And he did the job.  When you have something that needs to be done give the job to someone who is busy, they know how to handle multi-tasking.

I don't think that I could ask for more in a cadidate.  Great post Simon!

Simon,

You can tell the democrats are really worried about this election because of Palin and rightfully so. Wolf Blitzer said she hit a home run with her speech and he is right!

Ron - she has a husband.  Would we question a man with 5 children running for VP?  I doubt it. 

Mike - just a typo - long time Pittsburgh Penguin fan - I'll be more careful next time

Susan - just be careful or else you will be counted in that group of under-educated women voting for McCain-Palin.

Simon - You post so wonderfully when you focus on the good. This is a reason to vet Palin. I watched. I accept that no candidate will ever promise or even be able to deliver on all my needs.

I sure feel more comfortable after reading and listening.

Earlier, you can an edge to Biden. I think you should re-evaluate that position.

That pit bull can hunt.

I missed her speech so thank you for re-capping for me.  Now only if we can get past the green peace'rs and start drilling some of our own oil we could change our economy

A gutsy, feisty speech and I loved every minute of it!  There was actually cheering going on at my house during the speeches.  Can't wait to hear more!

I honestly feel this was the right move for McCain and the party. I have heard way more excitement over Palin's nomination that over the Democrat VP selection!

Ms Palin's speech may have been, as quoted, "gutsy, feisty"... but as far as content is concerned... there were several sources today that said it was totally written by one of Bush's speech-writers.  Of course, Ms Palin injected a few of her own-isms... like the pit bull with lipstick... but it will be much more informative when we can hear what she really has to say... instead of what a Bush speech- writer wrote down for her to read.

Is that as opposed to one of Obama's speech writers?

Simon ~ Well said! Did anyone feature this post, well I will and seocnd it if someone did already.

Congratulations Simon, this post is now featured in Silent Majority of Active Rain.

Karen Anne, her teleprompter was not working correctly for most of the speech so she did it from memory.  I don't think I could have done that; wait I know I could not have. I understand she did also veer from the speech that was written for her but WOW you couldn't tell. 

Marchel:  No... Ms Palin delivered her speech very well... and looked very natural and animated in doing it.  But, she also has had experience in front of TV cameras as a sportscaster, I believe.

What I was trying to say is that much of the raving about all of her "ideas"... what is it worth if they were not her ideas, but were written by a tried and true George Bush speechwriter.  I fear if they are elected it might not only mean four more years of Bush... but possible even worse than that... if Senator McCain does not make it all the way through his term... heaven forbid.

Sure... most politicians have their speeches written for them... but it would have been more "valid" and more "legitimate" if the speechwriter actually "knew" Ms Palin... and was putting her ideas into the speech... and not someone else's.

Karen ~ I respect you, you are an intelligent woman. But you are way off on this one. Palin is running a state for two years and has over 80% approval rating. I don't fear she could run a nation better than Obama could. Can you really put this nation in the hands of Obama who has not ran anything but a good speech. Oh, he wrote two books about himself. Nothing much more, not even any legislation to think of. How qualified do you think that makes him?

Karen - not her ideas? Drlling? Gas pipeline in Alaska? Parents of special needs kids having an advocate in Washington? and on and on and on.

Obama sent out a fund raiser last night saying that Sarah did not tackle America's energy problem. She tackled it so well that perhaps his staff decided not to tell him!!!! He simply lied to his own people and they all fell for it.

Karen- The prompt screen actually went haywire while she was speaking and she had to quickly do some impromtu. (spelled it wrong). I can feel in my heart of hearts that the speach was written just for her and she has her input, her ideas went into that speach. Speach writers don't just make it all up, they talk with the person first and develop with her the speach.

Simon-  A STAR WAS BORN!!!!!!!! Go Sarah, Go Sarah!

I love her saying, the only difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull is lipstick! She is a pitbull!

She is just like me and knows what it is like to be a normal person in our country.

She is the best! I just love her! I have not been this excited ever in my years of voting!

She has more executive experience than all the candidates put together!

Change is coming to Washington and those congressmen and women are shaking in their boots! Stop pork barrell spending and drill now.

I am SO thrilled as a woman too. And so ANGRY that the left women will not accept her because she is not pro abortion. I see, the only womens rights is for those who believe as they do. You see, I have had the same treatment for being a home school mom and for working and my beliefs! Katerina

Funny thing is I like her better than McCain.

I like the reference of Sarah Palin to a rock star.  She is unbelievable!  Its as if one couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect candidate to compliment McCain!

Simon- Her approval ratings are unprecedented the pollsters just reported. Non Partisan polls, reputable polls reporting her approval rating higher than Obama and McCain. I think she could even win for President next time around.

There are even media people beginning to apologize for their unfair pre and mis judgment of Sarah. Go Sarah! The more they bash you, the more we like you! The more will come to her defense. This is grass roots stuff!

......."I told the Congress thanks but no thanks on that bridge to nowhere....."  Sarah Palin.

I hear conflicting information about this statement!  Did she or didn't she say "no thanks on that bridge to nowhere....."

.........."She is a pitbull!"  

Aren't pitbulls mean?  I would not want to be compared to a mean dog!  But that's just me!

........."I don't fear she could run a nation better than Obama could." 

She is not running for president--she is the V.P. candidate....... I believe MaCain is running against Obama--correct me if I am wrong!

Was her speech AWESOME because she was preaching to the choir?  or because she offered real solutions?  Just asking!  I also heard that it was a "Bush" person who wrote her speech!  Shouldn't candidates write their own speech?  I really want to know what the candidate is really thinking, not what a speech writer thinks! 

Did MaCain pick a woman, just to get the female vote?  Wasn't there a better--qualified female person that he could have picked!  Just asking!

All these politicians--both sides will say and do anything to get a vote!  Are not Politicians starting to look more like Realtors or is it the other way around!  lol

Vote your conscience not your party!  And my conscience is killing me for supporting the war! I was just as afraid and maybe a bit naïve after 9-11!  And, yes......I supported Bush---I voted for him!  And I will not disrespect him by saying anything negative about him--he is still our President and he deserves our respect.......But, I respectful, now, disagree with this war and we need to end this war! NOW! 

BUT.......I will wait until the debates to make up my mind! 

Simon, Sarah Palin is a true American. One child in the military just like McCain's two sons. My understanding enlisted people, two of the three. No special ride for these troops. Hockey mom, she has my vote. I listen to her speech the other night and her strength came out.

"I am not going to Washington to seek their approval. I am going to Washington to serve the people of this great nation".

NEWS FLASH; SARAH YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WASHINGTON.

......."I told the Congress thanks but no thanks on that bridge to nowhere....."  Sarah Palin.

she was for it befor she was against it......

She said she has noticed a pattern about Obama. She says that even though he has authoried two memoirs, he has not written a single major law.

attack his experience and his qualifications 9Bush)but we know from experience that it does not amount a hill of beans if good judgment is not used and sound solutions

It's funny, Palin did not write her own speech!  Did Obama?  Can he talk at all without any kind of canned speech??

Love Palin...she *is* one of us! :o)

It's amazing how much she has done in the short time she has been in office.  Too bad the same can't be said of BO.  It's kind of hard to get anything done when you spend most of your time voting "present".  Way to take a side and get something/anything done BO.

Simon ... thanks for the nice post about Sarah Palin.  We agree. Best wishes.  Harrison

Simon ~ Just saw the interview with Sean Hannity, I love this woman. She is the real deal.