Confident, Ernest, Powerful, Effective - A Nightmare

Palin Brings the House Down

And John McCain's choice is vindicated. Palin is incredible. A phenomenal speech.

The crowd loved Sarah Palin. I can't imagine there are any Republicans who didn't love her. She is a power house. Bright, knowledgeable, and she gives a great speech. She kicked ass. They laughed, they cried, they cheered, they were moved, they were brought to their feet. That's a speech.

Confession:  I got chills when she accepted the nomination (the woman thing). And this from a politician with whom I disagree on just about everything! I think that working the woman angle is going to help McCain - it may not get him 10 points, but he may only need one or two to win this election in the end. . . . I hope not.

The GOP is unified. There are no disgruntled Republicans mulling about the hall. They are all for one and it's John McCain.  How much you wanna bet that no one is going to talk about Joe Biden or think about Joe Biden for a long, long time? Maybe ever?

Palin's speech was filled with acrimony ("the presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery" - ouch) and absolutely horrid policy (pro-life, pro-drilling, anti-tax). I think it might work. Very Republican, no doubt and no confusion. She might be a maverick when it comes government ethics, but in no other arena is she a rebel. She is red, through and through. But she is a fighter, very tough, and kind of sexy. Not sure yet how that is going to play. it's been a while since we've had sexy in a politician - not since Jack Kennedy. (Confession #2: I think Bill Clinton is sexy, too.)

Democrats had better step it up, take some risks, and be bold. The Obama campaign had better have something special planned. This going to be a fight. They are going to have to get at the substance, but not in a boring, lecturing, Democratic Party kind of way. We really need the Clintons! Let's hope that Obama's charm and charisma works magic.

One thing, though, is that the McCain campaign just took a sharp and permanent turn to the right. That is the one decision they've made that I don't think is very smart. But times, they are a changin' and its not about getting out of Iraq (Presidents of the U.S. and Iraq have already agreed that U.S. troops will withdraw in a year or so) and its not about incompetence in government anymore (McCain has shown that he can handle an almost crisis with his smooth approach to Hurricane Gustav, plus its been a long time since Katrina and political memories are short). And if its about the economy, well, what does that even mean?

Here's hoping Democrats can pull this off.

I'm very worried.