Live-Blogging Palin's Speech at RNC

This is my first live blogging attempt- here are my thoughts and notes from Sarah Palin's speech today at the RNC Convention.


10:30- Longest applause ever. Either shows that people really like her, or it shows that as a women she doesn't have any control over crowds (kidding- but watch for this comment in the fever swamps tomorrow). I get a feeling early on that she is too scripted- what made Rudy's speech so great was it's 'unscripted' quality. Watch Rudy's speech here.

10:32 Palin talking about McCain is rather boring. Palin talking about herself is exciting. Palin talking about ideas and ideals is exciting. Palin going after Obama is exciting. Is Palin just a perfect candidate- mother, NRA, son joining up, etc- or is she a perfect example of how great typical American families are? Parents of special needs- that is an interesting demographic to go after- how many bases does she cover?

10:37 There is the nod to families having lots of challenges, public and private- great joys also great challengers- that's a reference to her daughters pregnancy. Harry Truman reference, impressive. Argument in favor of small towns- that's traditional. I work in a small town, and think the people there are a lot more impressive individuals than the people out of the inner cities.

10:41 Hockey Moms for Palin signs- gotta lover America. I read some of the transcript of this speech prior, but she delivers the lines well. She delivers. Purpose for entering politics- challenge the status quo, further the common good, and leave nation better.

10:47 In Michigan, home to the 6 year single state recession, our Governor has two fancy mansions, private cars, and a slew of perks- maybe auction off our governor on ebay too? So they had a 'windfall profit' in Alaska- and she gave it back to the people- would Obama do that, or would he channel to his friends and special interests?

10:51 Her talking about energy policy has more detail and specifics mentioned than the 'alternative fuel' and 'hope' vagueness that makes up the Democrat platform. Check- all of the above. Obama is all wind and noise- over and over people talk about his dramatic speeches, but nobody ever says what are in them. Good rip- Obama written two books but never any pieces of legislation. Another good rip- Obama talks about victory, but not about in Iraq, only about his own campaign.

10:57 Palin says Obama's platform is all wrong- mentions lots of issues- energy, security, and taxes. Those are very important- and are the areas where the federal government is supposed to play the largest role- but the problem with this is that a lot of people do care about education, poverty, healthcare, environment, etc.- we can't avoid those issues, Palin. Shout-outs- cheer, she said my state! Choice Americans face- change to promote careers, careers to promote change. Compares that McCain's name is on landmark legislation- Obama's name is on buttons and signs. This is getting a little long- she needs a thunderous closing.

11:02 American Presidency is not supposed to be a story of person discovery- love it. Not a world to organize- huh, never thought of it like that- Obama does want to organize us, like he isn't one of us, like he doesn't like us almost. He wants to use government to control us, and put us in what he thinks is the proper place. Community organizer. Is this yet another election on the Vietnam war- are our soldiers from this war hero's or not? For a season, a gifted speaker can inspire with words- will the season of change pass? What happens to past Democratic nominees- do they achieve great things, or disappear?

11:07 Speech came to an okay close- again, talking about McCain is not her strong suit- she was amazing through most of the speech though- very exciting. McCain comes out- I always get the impression that he is very proud of Palin- like she represents all that is good about America, if only given a chance, and he gave her that chance. McCain is a grandpa in some ways- like Eisenhower was, and Eisenhower is more and more appreciated as time goes on. Some people in the fever swamps pointed out that he doesn't stand close to Palin or hang on her- they suggest that's because she doesn't like him, or he doesn't like her, and they insinuate something of a dirty old man to it. I think it's because he doesn't want to steal her spotlight- he is proud of her and what she represents.

Fox coverage- brilliant speech. MSNBC- effective speech. CNN1- sounded good. CNN2- running a Spears-Palin Connection graphic, skipping speech entirely. PBS- annoyed with how good it was. Obama response- ironic attempt to divide people, make her ideas a Republican-Democrat thing, and stay in the muck of the Bush world by claming it was divisive, partisan, and writen by Bush.