I figured that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin wasn't going to choke in the spotlight of the Republican National Convention last night. And she didn't. Instead, she absolutely smoked her first test as a high profile candidate.
Gov. Palin used a well refined delivery to mix barbs directed at the media, Democrats in general and Barack Obama specifically, as she most likely endeared herself to many GOP voters around the country.
How she does with independents, women and even some Democrats, I will be very interested to see that data in coming days.
I won't worry about trying to come up with the best quotes or anything here from Palin. Let's just stipulate that she can play with the big boys on the big stage.
She still faces a challenge from the news media on some issues, but we've now seen the McCain campaign lay downs its cards, and among them is the Blame It On The Media.
I am enjoying the disconnect of some in my profession, who believe she is going to crash and burn. For those who think that, you might want to have a drink and re-think.
I'm not predicting that she's going to steamroll the Democrats and enable John McCain to win easily. It could happen, but that's not my point.
My point is that this woman connects on a gut level with a lot of people. Democrats sometimes have a hard time recognizing that I guess. Why? I really don't know.
Palin wasn't just reading that speech most of the time. She skewered Obama. She jabbed at the media. She taunted her critics. And the fans loved it.
Let's imagine ourselves sitting at home with Mr. and Mrs. Average in Name-the-State. Chances are, they are going to have a hard time just rejected Palin out of hand.
Oh, I know, there are the questions about Troopergate, the questions about how she is handling her daughter's pregnancy and a lot more.
But maybe this is one of those cases where the normal rules don't apply. Maybe. Maybe she is just going to steamroll over all of us.
I am enjoying listening to a lot of the critics from Washington, D.C. right now, especially those who have criticized Palin for accepting this running mate spot when she has five kids, one with Down Syndrome and another with a baby on the way.
There is no "right" answer.
But when it comes to my gut feeling on where this is going, I still think that Palin has the edge right now over her critics.
The last two weeks have been fascinating at the two party conventions. The Democrats gave me a ton of news to chase after, and so have the Republicans.
I think we can honestly say that John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin has absolutely energized this campaign in a positive way for the GOP. The conservative base is much more jacked up than they were a week ago.
It sure doesn't mean they are going to win.
But I think that Palin's presence in this race means we are going to have a much different final stretch drive than in the past.
I need a nap.
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