Sarah Palin's Speech (an amazed review from the Atlantic)

The Atlantic ^ | 04 Sep 2008 | Clive Crook

[ellery]

Astonishing.

-snip-

What was just sensational, far exceeding my expectations, was the delivery. After the thrashing she has received from press and television in the past few days, knowing what was at stake for the party and for John McCain as she stood at the podium, with a good part of the nation watching and waiting for her to trip, her composure and self-assurance were simply amazing.

-snip-

She not only touched on her own biography, in ways sure to delight small-town Americans across the land, she also asserted her command, as the governor of an oil-producing state, of the energy debate. Had Democrats forgotten that this is a key issue in the election, and one on which they are trailing the Republicans in public opinion?

-snip-

Well, the Democrats have a problem. They had a few days of calling her a clueless redneck, a stewardess, a nonentity, and she has hurled that back in their bleeding gums. (If I were Joe Biden, I'd start practising for October 2nd right now.)

-snip-

Their line right now is their default mode, that McCain-Palin is four more years of George Bush. But this too is a completely untenable strategy, since the Republican ticket now looks stunningly fresh to voters, as fresh in fact as Obama-Biden. Where they will have to end up is obvious: McCain-Palin is an extreme right-wing ticket.

-snip-

At the moment, however, this factor seems massively outweighed in electoral terms by the excitement she has brought to the campaign. The party cannot believe its luck. They want to win again, and suddenly they think they can.

-snip-

Update: CNN on why the speech was a problem for McCain: "Well, he has to speak tomorrow night, and as we know, he is no governor of Alaska."

[perfect_rovian_storm]

I’m so energized that I can’t sleep. Truly an amazing speech. We witnessed history tonight.

[annieokie]

Mrs. Smith (Palin) goes to Washington. Outstanding!!!!!!

[goldstategop]

In my opinion, the ticket should be flipped. But that's just MY opinion!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Bernard]

(If I were Joe Biden, I'd start practising for October 2nd right now.)

We must never forget that Joe Biden was the guy holding the rope during the high-tech lynching of Clarence Thomas.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

I agree, but I’m a patient man. I can wait 4 years.

[Huck]

woo-hOOOOOOOO!

[muffaletaman]

Sarah’s “star power” may soon exceed Obama’s. She is Margaret Thatcher, Sarah Connor and Princess Diana, all in one package.

...led to this reply - folks, I think we may have a winner...

===========================

Great observation - Great T-shirt idea!

This list on the front...

Margaret Thatcher +
Sarah Connor +
Princess Diana...

and on the back of the tee-shirt

= SARAH PALIN

[nutmeg]

I’m so energized that I can’t sleep. Truly an amazing speech. We witnessed history tonight.

Same here... Sarah was magnificent! I've got a big John McCain/Sarah Palin sign on my car... I've got to get an even bigger one! LOL

[SamAdams76]

No doubt at least several battlegrounds states dropped into our laps tonight. The people in places like Scranton, PA and Cedar Rapids, IO will never forget Sarah's speech tonight. A strong speech by McCain tomorrow night will all but seal the deal.

But don't expect the Obama crowd to go down easily. This is going to be the nastiest campaign ever and if the GOP ticket pulls it off, we could see inner-city riots like we used to see the the mid 1960s. But Sarah Palin clearly showed tonight that she is up for the challenge and will help bring the nation back together once the turmoil of the election is over.

[HerrBlucher]

Mrs. Smith (Palin) goes to Washington. Outstanding!!!!!!

I don't know who the ingenius freeper was but he/she put it this way:

Mrs. Smith and Wesson goes to Washington.

[dighton]

After the thrashing she has received from press and television in the past few days, knowing what was at stake for the party and for John McCain as she stood at the podium, with a good part of the nation watching and waiting for her to trip, her composure and self-assurance were simply amazing.

[Jay777]

Full Video and Blog Reaction Roundup.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

I was holding out for one that said something like PALIN/Mcwhatshisname or something along those lines, but I may just go whole hog and get an actual McCain/Palin sticker. After all, he is responsible for choosing her.

Bumper stickers are hard to do here in NY though. They’ll key my car. :(

[Interesting Times]

What was just sensational, far exceeding my expectations, was the delivery. After the thrashing she has received from press and television in the past few days, knowing what was at stake for the party and for John McCain as she stood at the podium, with a good part of the nation watching and waiting for her to trip, her composure and self-assurance were simply amazing.

The explanation is simple. She doesn't care what the leftist media says or thinks. She has principles that guide her actions.

Naturally, this isn't something a writer for the Atlantic is likely to comprehend...

[txzman]

Love it!

“Well, the Democrats have a problem. They had a few days of calling her a clueless redneck, a stewardess, a nonentity, and she has hurled that back in their bleeding gums. (If I were Joe Biden, I’d start practising for October 2nd right now.)”

[Jim Robinson]

LOL

[Texas Federalist]

McCain’s greatest service to his country may have been annointing this remarkable woman as his successor.

[nutmeg]

Bumper stickers are hard to do here in NY though. They’ll key my car. :(

Same here in Connecticut, depending on where I am. Fortunately, I drive an old car, and I often print out my own "bumper stickers". I tape them inside my windows... and take them down when necessary. ;-)

[RoseofTexas]

Thank GOD I recorded the speach! I’m watching it again tomorrow!