I think this year we have two good choices for President and it will be interesting to see the election develop in the next few weeks.

I am excited about her as well!  I love that she is not afraid to take on corruption in BOTH parties, and is not playing politics! 

Ok, forget it, I can't stay away from making a few political comments here on AR.  I watched that speech last night, and I was inspired.  I don't have to agree with everything she stands for to know that she will lead us ethically, and with dignity.  Her imperfections as a human will help her understand the plight of the people she is elected to lead.

Larry - As I indicated previously, I was also truly inspired by her speech last night, and I was happy to see that she knocked it out of the park.  I kinda wish she was the Presidential candidate, to be perfectly honest.

Last night was the first time in a loooonnnggg time that I watched a televised speech.  I loved it!  For the first time in a long time I am excited about the race and I think that yes the Dem's ought to be afraid. 

Sarah made a great speech last night, I was pleasantly surprised.

My only fear is that what works(worked) in Alaska may not work in DC.  It is one thing to take on big oil and do huge surplus refunds to a state with the population of Alaska, but it's another thing to think that she can do the same with the US budget (or lack thereof really!)

She's fiery...but just remember how many "wet blankets" there are in Washington to stiffle that fire!

Larry,

A terrific post, and I agree with many things that you said, but for me it is still the same thing, that I would rather not vote for any of those. My choice is not because I like them as presidential (and VP candidates) as I don't. It is because I fear Obama's socialist agenda more than what John McCain with or without Sarah Palin.

I also find it strange that a VP can sway us in one direction or the other. How weak should the Presidential candidates be that we base our vote on VP?

I was stunned by the reaction to her speech. Reagan's speeches are no comparison to Sarah, but I hear that in 40 years, or in 100 years this is the best speech...

Come on, people...

The funny thing, however, is that all this speech hype would not bring much change. Whoever made their minds, would not change. We hear what we want to hear, and we turn dead ears to what we do not want to hear. Undecided are for grab. Will she win them?

What bothers me is that in a great country we have at best good candidates. Not great.

I feel the same way -- the last few elections were about "who will do the least amount of harm" not who is the best candidate. ~ Evelyn

2)  John McCain - He showed leadership last night by having the NERVE to select Sarah Palin.  Going against the grain of traditional politics he chose a leader...who is not perfect, but who is awesome.  God love us all.  Like him or hate him...he doesn't waver

Then why did he approach John Kerry about the possibility of running with him as a democrat. John McCain flip flops as much as anyone else. Even in his personal life.

Sarah rocked the house!  I wish the election was today, not 60+ days from now.

Paul....I think we have 1 great choice for VP...

Pam...well said

Hope...wow hope....nice of you to pipe in.  Strong thoughts...thanks for sharing.  You're welcome here anytime.

Jason...I feel exactly as you do.  She's the best of the 4 BY FAR!

Larry...ditto.

Shirley...you mean the waffle.

Larry,

We have a presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate who are going to win in November!

Congratulations this post is now featured in the Silent Majority Group of Active Rain.

Larry~  Personally, I had a hard time going to sleep last night after watching her.  The pundits are scrambling like never before, and Obama was probably given sleep aids last night.

This puts to rest, any questioned mental capabilities of John McCain.  Aside from all of his patriotic glory, McCain's wisdom once again, has shown through.  He IS a WISE man!  

I don't think Obama has anything to stand on.  The statement that Palin made last night about Obama having had time to write two memoirs, while he has never written any legislation, should be like icing on a cake.

I think now I'll keep watching.  Politics are interesting again!!!

P.S.  And Jason -  She may be someday!

Carole...me too.

Ron....great points.  But you've gotta try.  Definitely have to try.  Too much old machine.

Jon...thanks.  I agree....need 4 great people....not just one VP candidate.

Evelyn...exactly.

John...brother.  Love your different view points.  You democrats are the majority here, but with this he never selected Kerry....he approached him.  big difference.  You're welcome here anytime.

Brian, it'd be a slam dunk.

Mike...thanks bro....let's believe.

Randy...me too.  Nice to be inspired by our leaders.  We've lost that.

I didn't watch the DNC and haven't watched the RNC but I did watch Sarah last night. Mainly to actually hear her speak. I think she did a wonderful job. I was disappointed to hear the same old 'Thanks, but no thanks to your bridge to nowhere' line. She didn't make up my mind to vote for John McCain-I was already voting for him since Huck didn't win. While I don't dislike Obama I think Hilary would have been the way for the Dems to go. I just don't think he will do what he claims. Anyway great speech, I am sure she will do well in the debates and can't wait to watch.

I felt inspired AND hopeful as I watched Palin. She is a dynamic speaker, and yet seems genuine and unrehearsed. ( of course I know she was, but it seemed otherwise). I too felt like I cast a non-vote in the last 2 elections and haven't been as excited as I should be ( as all Americans should be) about casting my vote this time either.

 Not that I don't truly believe John Mccain is the better choice (in fact the only choice of the 2) to lead our country, it's that I think the young people see the Obama flash and will put this inexperienced, Hollywood poster boy in office REGARDLESS of my vote. Got to say this election really scares me.

(I still think voting age should be increased to 30, after life experiences can help guide you)

Amanda fair and impartial comments.  thanks for sharing.

Toni...love the age thought. Maybe people should just take a written maturity test b/4 they're allowed to vote.

Larry,

What a refreshing assessment...and great minds DO think alike...BTW, are there any democrats who 'think' like us...LOL...???

Both parties will tell you what they think you want to hear in order to get your vote, neither of them inspire me to vote for them. The real people who ought to be getting elected who you don't hear to much from is Bob Barr and Ron Paul if you actually listen to what they have to say they talk way more sense than the mainstream parties but the media want you to vote for Obama for the most part. It's going to go down to the wire.

Wouldn't it be nice to just vote for an American who simply attempted to do the right things. Perhaps Sara is that person. Sure seemed like it last night. Forget Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and the like. We have the opportunity to vote in what may be the most exciting, closely fought Presidential election in most of our life times. I believe that last nights speech all but guaranteed that. The next few months will be something else! This is really exciting.

The teleprompter was down. 

Alan ~  RON PAUL?  He reminds me of that old Black Sabbath song, "Paranoid."  What a schizoid!!!

Larry, I dont usually watch any of the conventions and ended up watching Sarah Palin last night! She hit a home run in my opinion!  She is a strong powerful woman! With a downs child and a pregnant teen she lives in reality and deals with life!  Not just a bunch of talk but actions too!

Larry, Great post. I think anyone that finds something nasty to say about this woman are jealous or scared crapless. She was awesome and fresh and an inspiration.  She is the future of our country!

Toni ~ I like your assessment!

Kim ~ Keep watching now...it should be fun! 

Janice  ~ Having a problem with way too much pent up anger?  Could you please give my address to that cheesecake carryin' tooth fairy friend of yours?

Janice - who are you? Why the anonymity

Janice - no doubt that cheesecake the tooth fairy delivered is bitter lemon, right?

Hey Larry,

I caught the last 5 to 10 minutes of Gov. Palin's speach and wshed I had seen it all. In the little bit I watched, I was extremely impressed. I too believe that McCain has made the right selection in a running mate and also believe that mcCain/Palin will quickly overrun the democratic supporters in numbers.

America has been preaching 'CHANGE" and Change is what they are getting with Palin on McCain's ticket. I believe they make an excellent combination for Pres/V.P.

Sean Allen

Larry, I watched the speech and was extremely impressed. I too was figured I had to vote against someone instead of for someone. It wasn't that I had anything against McCain, it is just he didn't excite me on anything. To me he was a yawn. This changes. Yes, McCain made a historic move. Maybe this is the real deal coming out. I now look forward to the rest of this campaign.

Larry,  Amen for your blog.  I too will be voting for someone instead of against someone.  It is refreshing to get someone who is not "bought and paid for" by the media and special interest groups.  Someone who will make decisions based on it being good for American and not good for a personal pocketbook.

Fran...there is one pro-life democrat, but I forgot who it is/was.

Alan....the media wants to elect their people always.

Scott...you hit the nail on the head here.

"Janice" - I see a completely different assessment than what you're pitching here.  I guess that's why we vote.  Bottom line is that Barack, according to the liberal Wall Street Journal, is the 3rd most left person in either the Senate or the House.  He's left of his own party.  He can't make a tough decision and he'd be HORRIBLE for our country Right Now...perhaps in 4 more years, but not now.

Kim....EXACTLY!!!!! She's not contrived.

LaNita....she's a strong woman.  Women should embrace her!  She's awesome.

Sean...a great decision!

Janice....you can't fund everything.  The dems add and add and add and add.  Things need to go. Tough decisions need to be made.  We can't bankrupt America for a few.  It's up to them to use their best discretion to see who will be hurt by programs that will be cut back.  She has a special needs child and understands that.  We can't live on a "welfare entitlement system."  I understand that this may not be the program that should have been kicked to the curb, but it's the decision that was made.  At least she doesn't shy away and kiss the butts of the populace.

Frank...amen

Thomas...double amen

The teleprompter was down? Funny, I could read the teleprompter.

LArry, I just heard the Nielsen ratings for her speech last night was 37 Million.   Just a few thousand short of Obama

That was a fabulous speech, wasn't it?  It is great to finally see a human being that is running on the Presidential ticket and not some blowhard politician.

Larry ~ Another thought provoking post from you. I am proud of Gov. Palin. She made a great speech great because of who she is! She is a strong woman not afraid to get her hands dirty. That is what we need in Washington. A reformer. Ronald Reagan would be proud of her as well. Republicans lost their way during the eight years because of lack of leadership. We need a srong conservative in the White House who will actually cut spending. Oh, thats why the good old boys in Washington are running for the hills. They having the talking points all laid out to try to destroy her before she gets in office.

Waffling? Really?

Is it waffling to say that the #1 criteria for selelcting a VP is that he or she is able to step into the job on day 1, and then choose someone who is woefully unprepared to lead in a time of war. (McCain).

Is it waffling to say that someone would have to tell you what a VP does, and that you have too much work to do in Alaska and then accept the VP nomination anyway? (Palin)

Is it waffling to first support the bridge to nowhere until it became obvious that it was unpopular? (Palin)

Is it waffling to hire a lobbyist for a town of 6,500 to get $$ from Washington and then position yourself as a fiscal conservative?

Is it waffling to be a member of the Alaskan Independence Party which advocates seceeding from United States and then position yourself as a patriot?

Is it waffling to call Hillary a whiner when she complains about media criticism, yet lodge the same complaints when the media tries to vet you (something that McCain obviously didn't do)? (Palin)

OK, my politics don't agree with yours. But even if they did, her speech wasn't tat good. She did a pretty good ob, her timing was off but she hasn't had experience, probably, with such a large crowd. To claim that is the best speech in 40 years is WAY overdoing it.

I love waffles and I love how conservative Sarah Palin is.  I will feel very comfortable is she becomes president someday.

Scott...I could read it too.

Jimmy....the ground swell becomes a tidal wave here.

Rob....Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Janice....your pseudo name.  I don't claim that McCain is the end all.  He wasn't my first choice.  But when the Wall Street Journal says he's left of his own party and claims that he's the closest thing to Marxism....you can't swallow the pill that he's duping you with.  Please do some research and stop swooning at his good looks, charm and eyes....give me a break!  Palin gets stuff done.  Obama, the community organizer has done NOTHING for the country.  Nothing!

Nick....I love the fact that she is a reformer!!!!

Waffler....get with Janice and open your eyes.  For the sake of you and the sake of our country. 

Larry....she gets stuff done...something Obama has never done!  EVER!

Larry,

She is

Proud of her faith

proud of her country

proud of her family no wonder democrats hate her

Can we get rid of Janice? Why do we have someone who is afraid to say who they really are?

This isn't myspace! Active rain is a place for professionals, Not for some silly Obama supporter ( not all are silly, but this one is) or Barack himself ( in disguise ) to spout about and interrupt our conversations with her (or his) petty litter.

Hugh....she makes me proud....

Toni...I agree.  But I'll even let a crackhead make a comment or two on this site anonymously.  I may just take her off.  You're right...this is our forum, but for THIS MOMENT she stays.  I'll see if my mood changes later.  She's kinda like a pinata here.

Larry ~

Congratulations this post is now featured in the Blatant Politics Group of Active Rain.

Quite amazing to us home town folks how Palin has taken off. 

It's going to be an interesting ride.

Simon - - - Thanks for the recognition.  I'll take it!

Marty...Glad to see the awesome advertising coming from your community.  It looks BEAUTIFUL!

Janice...this is the last anonymous post I'm allowing.  You say

1)  community organizer?????

2)  "Key member of a voter registration drive?"  That's it?  That's his claim to fame?

3)  Chairperson of the Health & Human Services Committee?  What are the accomplishments there? 

Like I said....NOTHING!!!!!!  You're right different definitions.  I believe that you need to actually accomplish something in order for it to qualify as something.  He's done "nothing."

Oh....I missed this great bit of leadership that just came out....check this out.  Obama Says Its Time To Tune Up the Cars and Adjust the Air Pressure in Tires

Janice....adieu indeed.  Although I'm unamerican in deleting you, I've left the others with differing opinions here who aren't hiding under the KKK cloak of secrecy.  I'm fairly certain I know who you are...but in the event that I don't.....I wish you well.  free speach to real people.  Take your anonymity elsewhere!

Larry ~ Well said. Liberals can't handle the truth, so the manufacture it as fast as they can.

She's BA-ACK!

Nick...how true.

Randy....Not anymore.  No more cloaks here.

Larry  ... thanks for your article and having the guts to stand up and vote for someone during the upcoming election.  We agree about your support of McCain and Palin.  Best wishes to you.

Harrison, Explore Properties Group, Irvine, CA

I VOTE FOR SARAH PALIN....and John McCain....  Tell it like it is...no politically correctness here.  Thaks Harrison.