Hey John . . . . . Good Choice (Update 3)

She passed this hurdle with flying colors. I think the left leaning pundits can take the Eagleton talk and place it back in that small chest in the corner where they keep all of their hopes and dreams. Back to reality. Gov. Palin needed to make a strong speech. She did so with humor, humility and poise. Indeed, I wonder if her rhetorical ability is not every bit the equal of Obama.

(Update: Above photo from Melanie Morgan who is putting on a great deal of paraphenalia. Do visit her site)

I was quite impressed by everything from the discussion of energy and drilling, the attacks against Obama which were funny and highly barbed, and her discussion of geo-politics that was just enough for the moment. She spoke of her executive experience and clearly gave the impression of a person who has enough self confidence to serve her country as Vice President. This will not and should not end the national vetting of Gov. Palin, but for tonight, she did all she could do and gets high marks. If she is as good in debates, Joe Biden should be concerned - perhaps very concerned.

I can't give you a single best line - there were several:

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.

. . . 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.

. . . 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?

You can find the Governor's entire speech here. Rudy's keynote address was also quite good, though I have not found the text yet. Will post that and videos as they come available.

Heh. This from TNR:

Focus Group: Palin Was (Alarmingly) Strong

Several moderate-Democrat friends of mine have been emailing--few if any would ever vote for McCain--but all agree that Palin was very strong. The more liberal among them are a little panicked. . . .

Red Alerts has a great round up of reaction to Sarah Palin. I am sure that, unless she stumbles and falls in her Oct. 2 debate with Biden, we just saw the future of the Republican Party tonight. Great job, Sarah Palin. Great choice, John McCain. No other choice could possibly have brought this much excitement to the conservatives and no other choice could have so challenged the dogma of the modern left. Fasten your seat belt, folks, this ride just started.