CNN

Clearly the only people responding to CNN are liberals and it is remarkable to me how divisive our opinions are.

It seems very apparent that the minds of people are already made up and they sit back waiting anxiously to lash out against anything said in opposition to their party. The Obama followers want change – but not Sarah Palin's change. They want reform – but not John McCain's reform. They urn for the promise of this magical word "change", but they do not know exactly what that is. Obama is like the new boyfriend/girlfriend, who is utterly dreamy and full of perfection and hope and the promise of a new dawn – and that is only because you dont truly know him yet. Be careful what you wish for democrats – the change you get, you will have to live with.

And finally, as a 911 victim it seems to me that this country suffers from 911 amnesia, similiar to hurricane amnesia until it hits you again after ten years. I dont know about you, but I would much rather have a pit bull with lipstick ready to defend my country and a decorated military hero rather than a community organizer.

Be careful what you wish for

It amazes me how out of touch the political analysts are at CNN. The majority seem to think Palin 'hit it out of the park'! Are you all really that out of touch with regular American folks?

I liken her 'speech' to a mean, obnoxious drunk who makes a complete idiot out of himself (pardon the gender bias) and realizes the following morning the full impact of what he's done.

That speech was painful to watch.

This was an excellent speech and showed Palin's strength as a leader. As a right of center independent, I am very excited about both tickets. For the first time in the past 20 years, we will not have a Clinton or Bush in the white house! Both tickets offer a historical breaking of barriers and a new dirrection for this country.

Unfortunately, even with all the historical aspects of both tickets, much of the American public is still caught up with the partisan politics that come with EVERY election. Then participate in the very behavior they claim to hate (see above: VOTE SMART…. NOT SENILE!!!!). Sigh.

Lets grow up people and realize that these tickets are the closest thing to a win win we have had for a long time. Lets remember that dems/repubs will never agree on all the issues. Obama and McCain will both offer many changes from the Bush/Clinton era and both tickets will put a new face on America. And for me, that is the most important part of this election is fresh leadership (policies and conflicts will always be debated and never fully agreed on...see our current senate).

WOW.....knew she would be tough

Sorry guys she didn't knock the "community organizing", she used it to show that Obama doesn't have any experience, and guess what, he doesn't. Go ahead and spin it like the Dems do most people can see through you guys and the media.

Watch Obama numbers start dropping around Monday of next week.

Course you can keep calling us all racist but you know it takes one to know one.

McCain/Palin '08

Her energy policy gave her depth? It was pretty worthless. There isn't enough oil in Alaska to get us independent of anything, even in the short run. And by suggesting that, she seems to think that there's a domestic oil market independent of the global oil market. Unless she's going to say we need to limit oil trading?

She may have confidence in herself on energy, but her lone policy idea (basically "drill now, and we'll see if we find alternatives in the meantime") is every bit as solid as her opposition to the Bridge to Nowhere. You know, the bridge she supported until after it was clear Congress found it laughable.

Her speech was pathetic and lacked substance, period - which obviously would appeal to the Republican party. These are the very same people who brought us President George W. but are too ashamed to acknowledge or even comment on his horrendous presidency. Do they really expect America to follow their lead on who our next Pres/VP will be? Ha, as if... they really do" take pride in their ignorance." The MSM (or as someone aptly put it Mainstream Corporate Media (MCM)) needs to make amends to this country for their disservice over the past 8 years and stick to investigating and reporting on the issues and the FACTS! Keep your opinions to yourself because you also don't get it.

Post this CNN and not leave in indefinite "awaiting moderation" mode.

No one doubted that a journalism major with tv experience would be able to give a speech. What we were loking for was substance, and words to alleviate any fears about lack of experience.
Instead, all we got was undeserved insults aimed at hard working community workers, and press bashing. The same tired Republican swill.
Do the Republicans have any agenda other than making the rich richer? If so, I've failed to ever see it.

"I want an experienced and knowledgeable person that can interact with heads of states and act like a head of state here at home."

That rules out Obama...

Obama told the media to back off of her and her family, and she came out of her mouth and attacked him like this!!!? Watch as more republicans go over to Obama's side now. Her speech really did hurt her campaign.

She's hardly Ann Richards, for goodness sake. Ann was an original thinker, and her wit was original. And Sarah was hardly "large"! Instead, her pathetic attempts to snipe at Obama made her much smaller than I expected she would be.

Obama deserves to be respected for being a community organizer on the SOUTH side of CHICAGO! He was the president of the Harvard Review and could have taken a high powered job. But he chose to help workers who were layed off and low income citizens. His organizational skills built the most revered presidential champaign in political history. She was rude and distasteful while he has treated her with resect.

Is the debate still on – REALLY???? Obama hasn't conceded???? Experience – What I really need that to run for President of the Free World?????

When did it become alright for the Democratic Party to contradict everything they stand for? So it is alright to elect a minority male candidate but not a woman and mother? When did it become common place for woman to turn on each other and reject one of our own? How is it that American Women are still satisfied with playing second fiddle to men in the political arena? I ask these questions because as I sit here, I'm appauled at how critical we have clearly become on our own sex. How can one woman's reach for the White House ignite such a fierce response by other woman? I'm in awww and sick to my stomach on how people have attacked and tried to defile Sarah Palin's caracter as a woman and individual. I am a Liberal Independent who will now vote Republican, not so much because of McCain but because of Palin. The Democrats repedidly talk about service to the Government have served little to the American people. When Obama serves the American people then maybe I will listen.

SOME THINK OR SAY:
THIS ELECTION IS GETTING SCARY.

GOD BLESS US / AMERICA

She has hidden her main views. She is a creationist, an activist for abstinence, an animals killer in Alaska. She is not ready to deal with the details of international politics. She will need 2-3 years in office until she understands the job of a VP.

She hit Obama hard. Now the media, including CNN, will have to come to Obama's defense! Obama is a handsome, smooth talker who has NOT accomplished anything anywhere. Too bad he doesn't have real solutions to combat her attack.

She hit Obama hard. Now the media, including CNN, will have to come to Obama's defense! Obama is a handsome, smooth talker who has accomplished anything anywhere. Too bad he doesn't have real solutions to combat her attack.

Mr. Gergen, I must respectfully disagree with your positive analysis of her speech. I am shocked, actually, by how well received her speech was with the media pundits. Personally, I found her speech and presentation to only reinforce my perceptions of her-PTA president from small town America and a self-serving, hypocritical leader. References that she made during her speech such as hockey moms are like pit bulls, but with lipstick are, I think are sexist. You cannot scream sexism, and make comments that promote it, just as you cannot expect family privacy of sensitive matters when you parade your children into the spotlight as she has done in her last 2 speeches to the American people. Overall, I was not only umimpressed by her speech, but truly sickened by it.

To : Bill Schneider

Just want to add that Palin already proposed solutions to your country's economic issues on her speech : lowering the cost of gasoline through offshore drilling and lowering taxes.

By the way, what is the community organizer ?

I think we must realize that if you have the conservatives spending several days preparing for a speech to help their candidate it will be good. But lets be clear, does she have command presence, which is what will be need to face the tyrant leaders of world. No! No Way! As my mom always use to say you can put a suit on a donkey but it is still a donkey.

horrible ! i am shamed that i was a republican until bush2 showed his true self. LOL! (sort of): pit bulls are the worst dogs on the planet and people who know anything about dogs would not ever, ever, ever want to describe themselves as such.

You all should be scared! McPalin is on the way to the White House!!!

MINORITIES 4 REPUBLICANS!!

Gergen,
You baffle me sometimes. You can be so smart and then so, well you know. This was a horrible speech filled with hate and anger. I think you're the only one who like it.
Guess that's a great first impression if you are Republican!
Also, when has being a community organizer and helper of people been a bad thing? I guess when you are a rich fool, who cares about organizing and helping the poor, right? Nice first impression, Lady!

David -

She delivered the Hillary voters to Barack.
She delivered the Barack voters to work volunteer.
She delivered independents and moderates into Barack's camp.

And she delivered the right wing social conservative red meat they want.
Fortunately there aren't enough of them to win a Presidential election

Thanks Palin, I'm voting for Obama!

I can't believe that Wolf and the other commentators who have seen the world's greatest women and men over the years were falling over themselves with praise for Palin's performance. Were they overly influenced by the predictable reaction of those who surrounded them in the hall? A "home run"? A "grand slam"? I'm sure Palin is a fine person who means well, but her speech reminded me of nothing so much as an amateurish address by a high school junior running for student council. Has the bar been lowered that much? I for one am tired of American leaders who represent our lowest common denominator to us and to the world. I want to be inspired, and proud of our leaders. "President Palin"? This would be the makings of the plot of a bad mini-series, and a worse reality show for us all.

She gets an A on delivery of a Republican speechwriter's speech. However, while a good part of the speech was well delivered, a good part of it sounded like a "Swift Boat" commercial. What caught my attention most was the mocking of being a community organizer and a reckless mocking of preserving the planet..."after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet." David Gergen rated the speech an A. Compare to what other speech?

I agree with everything these people here have said! Palin was VICIOUS, insulting and dishonest. I have seen that kind of woman in small towns, and despise that mentality and way of interacting with society.

She is SCARY, and I can't wait until she has to face reporters and answer questions without a teleprompter and a speech written by others.

Her lack of experience and her below-the-belt approach is nothing I would want to see in any woman, much less in a VP of the USA!
John McCain is still a playboy at heart... "soul mate" indeed!

One more word – Palin might do well to remember that when Hillary got shrill, negative and sarcastic she lost. When Hillary talked about jobs, the economy, and health care – she won.

unbelievable how people make comments that "she didn't write the speech".......every speech in both conventions ends up being a collaboration, but what a double standard for men and womn. senator obama reads a great speach and nobody questions whether we should listen and belive every inspiring word. the republicans now have an inspirational woman who delivers an incredible speech and we have people questioning every inspiring word. wow, what a double standard. i think palin will make biden look like the same old washington politician that he is.

I would not vote McCain after I have listened to their speeches. Why anyone wants to have her as a VP. She is scary. She is very unprofessional.

This lady contradicts everything McCain has been talking about. McCain has said he wants to stay above mean spirited personal attacks, he has said that experience is the most important thing.

Sara Palin represents the worst of what the right wing of this country has to offer...arrogant American elitism, cut throat (my way or the highway) tactics, and dirty politics.

If this is Palin showing us "a common touch with executive presence", I'll take the Community Organizer. At least he adresses the issues of the American public.

Not a great speech, filled with untruths, I don't think she's smart, enought to be VP. There was no substance in her speech, and I feel for her Daughter, however I'm glad that she has the husband hold the baby tonight.

Palin shows that she is as sophomoric as they come. When she should speak and show intelligence, she resorts to base tactics often used by the bully on the school playground. I have seen this often, as a teacher. The bully who calls names and stirs up things with quips and sarcasm is the student with low intelligence and self esteem. She is not VP material, and will hurt our national image throughout the world.

Talking about her experience of selling a jet on eBay explaining how she can be a good VP?! Yes, she delivered that she has no idea what a VP does!!

Pa;in was soo ugly, very cold I hate when she smack her lips, with that disgusting look. Obama 08 She wasn't real. How dare she put communities organizing down, Obama has for years help the poorist people in Chicago, he has done many great service, that he should be very proud of.

OBAMA 08

I'm not so bothered with Obama being a community organizer as I am with his restlessness at any position he's held. I've always been taught, finish what you start. Obama doesn't seem to knowledge of that credo.

These shows hit the sentiment , not the brain. I keep pointing out that mrs Palin is aiming for a job as a top world leader. The entire world is watching this and is not amused by a woman shouting that she is a hocky mom with lipstick etc.
The world is interested in people who can lead the USA wisely through a tougher time and lead the USA out of this warmongering mood .

I see a lot of outrage over this "community organizer" item. Believe me or not, I have been a community organizer for some time.

I didn't see the speech, talking down to us community organizers, I saw the speech suggesting that such experience wouldn't make me qualified for President, which is a correct suggestion. I don't take offence to reality.

Community organizer is a good experience, being a mayor is an even greater experience. Where were any of you to complain when Palin was being attacked on her credentials?

The Republicans never once before the last day or two made mention of the community organization (something Obama brings up himself) . They attacked him of little executive or congressional experience but did not belittle his community background. But then the Democrats attacked Palin for being a small-mayor (Democrats like to forget she is a Governor). If you ask me, and I know many of you don't, the Democrats asked for it on this point.

LOVED it......she hit a home run tonight!

Sounds like another bitter politician, nasty, sarcastic, and snide do not make for good leaders especially in the volitile world we now live in where diplomacy and intelligence are absolute necessities.

Throw the tasteless, non-thoughtful, non-caring, run on lies and deceit because we have 8 horrible, bad economic years of GWB and Dick C. politics that they do not want to run on Republicans.

Community organizing isn't what Palin is bashing. It's the fact that Obama says that gives him experience. What a joke Obama and Biden are turning out to be! MCCAIN/PALIN '08!

Therese I have to respectfully disagree with your comment. As a young democrat, trust me, we don't want leaders like Sarah Palin in our party. When is enough going to really be enough? Americans deserve better than this petty mud slinging and name calling. We are the greatest nation in the world and it would be a pity to let someone with her character think for a minute more that we would allow her the HONOR of representing us.
Working to turn Colorado blue in '08!

That speech and the convention tonight looked more like a bull-fighting arena than a convention of a major party in a civilized country! Since when is being a senator, fighting for the little guys that everyone else forgot about as a comminity organizer, mastering and teaching constitutional law at one of the top universities in our country, authoring a thoughtfully written book about the issues currently facing this country, and EARNING 18 MILLION votes minor accomplishments to be ridiculed?

As far as I am concerened, Palin lost my respect with all that sarcasm that came from that sharp tongue of hers.

New for the likes of Guiliani: Don't DARE question Obama's experience and readiness!!! He's got a strong group of people willing to do everything to put him in the white house so he can fight for REAL people!

CNN: please post my comments.

Dear David, I must echo some of the sentiments already found in the comments here. Debates about experience are relevant to this campaign, as are debates over issues. But the attacks that were made by speaker after speaker at tonight's Republican Convention on Obama's community organizing activity were extremely uncivil and not at all consistent with the supposed theme of the Convention, which is service to country. Community organizers run real organizations which have staffs and budgets, and they help neigborhoods in severe economic distress. Obama's directorship of Developming Communities Project helped building tenents get asbesdos removed from their apartments, set up job banks for the unemployed and college tutoring programs for young people. Obama, in his three years at this organization, added numerous people to the volunteer staff, more than quadrupled the organization's budget, and in conpensation was paid a poverty-level anual wage of about $10,000 a year. He did this work in his early 20's, left Wall Street jobs to take the work and, after his three years, he did not use it to "climb the greasy ladder of Chicago politics" (Gerard Baker in the Times), but went to law school on a scholarship. This kind of community service is both noble and enobling work for people of all ages, and is undertaken by outstanding citizens all over the country. It should be lauded and encouraged and even recommended to young people, and instead, in high-voltage campaign mode this evening, the Republican party literally spat on such service. Whatever the political arguments Republicans may have against the Obama campaign, this line of critique was both deeply disturbing and profoundly disappointing. I always try to moderate my tone as much as I can in political conversation, because I think it is a basic principle of civility that is being sadly and quickly lost in American political discourse and a grave threat to needed bipartisanship. But I found the Republican attacks on community organizing this evening to be morally outrageous. Thank you for considering my view David. I have enormous respect for your views and analysis.

Go Campbell Brown and Don't Stop, you are our voice... Palin needs to know that the media advocates the concerns of the American people and we deserve to know all about her experience. Not how she shuffles and cheer leads a crowd of over fifty men.

I am Suburban Mom

Gergen, you are one of my favorite TV pundits, but I have to disagree with you on this one. This was a pathetic speech! Hatred, bile and sarcasms. No substance. And the delivery was merely adequate.

Obama's first executive decision: Joe Biden, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and chief negotiator in the Balkans.

McCain's first executive decision: Sarah Palin. Mayor of village of 6000 with degree in journalism, and governor for 18 months of a state with lower population than Columbus, OH.

It's clear who has the judgement to be President.

More hate from the right wing.
No more. Eight is enough.

Obama-Biden '08!

Vice president, heck, Palin for President!

I thought her speech was stirring, emotional and well addressed.

It's simple.... the game is "make the media the enemy' and they will bend over backwards to appear objective. The truth is, this was an uninspiring, scripted speech with angry right wing rhetoric delivered by an unaccomplished small state politician in a power suit. Let's see how well she performs when she is on her own, under scrutiny, as her "real" record begins to surface. Sen. Obama has been attacked by the conservative right and scrutinized by the media for at least the past 2 yrs. This woman could be a "heartbeat away" from being our president.... the gloves are off...she needs to be at least as tough as Sen. Clinton to be considered ready for this position... with only 2 mos. to go, I hope to God the media does its job.

She ise the primarys debates to prepare her speech. What a loser!!!

Did we see the same speech????

I'm astounded that so many 'pundits' offer positive reviews of her speech, while most of the viewers' comments I've read are very, very negative.

She is vastly unprepared for the VP position. Her speech underscored that point. In fact, I would pay good money if she could tell me 2 constitutional articles or amendments that impact on her abortion stance. Just 2. Or name the supreme court justices. Or, if she could name the leaders of 3 highest grossing nations. Or, actually name those nations or their forms of government. This is basic stuff and I promise you she knows none of it.

But, politics aside, I am T-I-R-E-D, bone tired, of the infighting, divisiveness, fear and anger we have of each other in this country -left and right alike. And, her speech tonight -far from bringing us together and helping us focus on what is really important, shows that those who seek to lead us, hope to prosper by dividing us first. And, that just breaks my heart.

I think Palin was inspiring and pointed out certain aspects for the American to change. I gave her "A"

I still can't believe what I just witnessed... Tonight was all about spewing hate! And to think thousands of people at the convention were cheering this message on. This is why the world hates us. She said nothing about her plans... Lets be real Alaska has always been a state of GREAT wealth, I could manage them with My BA from Devry. Has she really had to deal with a crisis? Has John McCain???

Another thing.
Republians kill me... they always claim to do everything in God's name, well I'm Christian and I dont think God was pleased with the Hate that was celebrated today.

I feel as though we're being jerked around my the Republicans yet again - they're playing games and thinking the American public is not smart enough to figure it out.

She won't even speak with press ... why?

What the country needs is a diplomat – to end the divisiveness of the last 7+ years. What Sarah Palin proved tonight is that she is a pit bull – unpredictable, ruthless, and feisty. The days of muscling in on someone are over. Clearly she hasn't discovered this.

As for her deals while Alaska Gov., I am sure that she made some promises to the oil companies (sure you can drill here – but it'll cost you – wink wink, nudge nudge) to get the gas prices lowered for her small state. And the oil companies realized that making concessions to a state of 600,000 was going to cost them peanuts. On a national scale I doubt she would be so successful.

I give her no kudos for her speech. It only attacked without adding anything new. I am not sure what you were listening to Mr. Gergen. A superficial speech that lacked any insight into the depth and breadth of her character is hardly an effective introduction.

As an independent, I would say they're all accurate observations.

Not only will Dem's be offended by Palin's attacks, but COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS EVERYWHERE will be as well.

Community organizers are people who usually volunteer their professional services and hands out of the goodness of their hearts and time to helping American citizens without a SINGLE PENNY coming out of the taxpayers' pocket.

They're the ones that register people to vote and make sure people get out to vote on election day...
Once again, Palin's judgement is under question-this time for saying something REALLY STUPID. Oh wait! She was just doing what she was told by MCCAIN.
Neither are ready or have the sense to be president. Just like Bush.

I watched her last night. Her speech is so full of insults, half-truths and just garbage. She didnt talk of any thing substantial. She didnt talk about anything about the economy and foreign policy. She is just a celebrity with extremist youthful exhuberance. She has noting to offer to Americans and the rest of the world.
It is a shame that GOP will field and defend such a character as its vice presidential nominee.
Peter

I was especially dismayed by the comment Governor Palin had regarding a community organizer, as the other republicans laughed. I think this shows America that the republican party does not care about America. If you are talking about family, a community organizer is an individual that basically volunteers to help families and communities in need. Barack Obama became a community organizer after receiving a degree from Columbia University, one of the best universities in the country. It is a true desire to help and give back to community, family. I thought Govern Palin's comments were unprofessional, disrespectful, and simply un-american. Barack Obama has not critized her for being a Mayor or Governor. I think this just reinforces the fact that she is not a reformer or maverick. She is just another GOP puppet.

She's fiesty and I'm glad she doesn't back down. As a Hillary supporter I was debating whether to vote for Obama or McCain. Palin's speech sealed the deal for me. She seems down to earth, but strong. She's different and a complete change. It's the change the Republican party needed. For that I'll be voting McCain/Palin!

David. I have been a big fan of yours over the years but you got this one wrong. Step outside the hall and talk to the middle ground voters like myself across the country. This entire night went to some place I have never seen an American Political Convention go to in terms of Mockery and a deeply sarcastic pitch left me wondering do these people know anything about being a leader? I did not see a single Statesman or Stateswoman on this stage tonight. What I witnessed was a belittling of our political system for personal gain from all three major speakers in topics and tone.

I am a registered independent and a member of the National Guard. I am disturbed by Gov. Palin using her "Commander of the Alaska Guard" and her son's enlistment in the Army for personal gain. Is she knew anything about the military she would have acted like a person if integrity. All of us in Uniform serve our country and we know when to not openly engage in partisan attacks at the cost to our mission and our allegiance to the Constitution. Since she is a State Commander she should have the decency to respect her opponents like they have already respected her and Sen. McCain. She is using her children in some ways to promote her pro live agenda and military service but complains that her daughter Bristol is off limits to the media.
Shameful and hypocritical.

I want to see her debate the great issues of our times, offer a vision of leadership, tell the nation where she sees us going and her part in that. She spent the better part of her address tearing down her opponent to skirt her own baggage and lack of vision. Sen. Obama gets ridiculed by a series of slanderous statements and about his role in public service when we desperately need more public servants. Ask yourself, why is Sarah Palin running for such a high office if she has low regard for public service? If she is a Christian then why did she break time and again the Golden Rule with her attacks upon Sen. Obama?

I am distressed that these types of so called leaders are put in place for political gain at the expense of Our Republic. All she and Mr. Romney and Mr. Giuliani did tonight was make our Nation look meaner, misdirected and anything like a World Leader. We are a weaker nation tonight because of their words and actions. If any of them would have ever served this nation in uniform they would have learned that too. We are a better people then any of these speeches will ever touch on or inspire us to keep forging ahead as One Nation.

when was the last time we heard an intelligent speech from a republican ( after Reagan )? I can't remember.

What I find interesting,
Is that it is only okay that a woman candidate can only get away with perceived sarcasm when she is a democrat. It was okay when "billary" spoke her mind when she was trying to be the nominee.
The so called feminists dont support a woman if she is a republican.
And for all of you who found anything abrasive this evening, what about mr. biden?
he is rude and nasty. And he always has been.
I think that palin might surprise her detractors and be more than competent.

So, after 8 years of republican party rule. what kind of reform they will bring in next 4 years?

What disgusting vitriol this woman spoke tonight!

I'm supposed to see a woman is going to "relate to me"? I don't want to be related with, I want to be told what this person will do in helping my life in this country.

She didn't talk about any issues. All I really got from this is that it's only okay for her to decide which part of her family she exploits for political gain (where as Joe Biden has said almost nothing of his son going overseas as well) and McCain was a POW so therefore he has all the credibility in the world for running this country. Sorry if being a community organizer is so low on your list of elitist, rich morals, Mrs. Palin, but those organizations are what America's about – working with the communities to make this country the best it can be – but you wouldn't know that, with the book banning and the flip-flopping on the "Bridge to Nowhere".

Watch – if anyone from the Obama/Biden camp even criticizes her for this, there will be cries of sexism, which disgusts me even further.

Did I miss it, or did she talk about the economy while insulting many?

After listening to Governor Sarah Palin's speech.., did she ever mention anything about the economy, health care, social security, foreign relations, envirnoment, energy, etc. ? Maybe the real question is: Do I or (we) want four more years of the same ? I don't.

I had a very sick feeling watching the Rep last night. A lot of low blows and personal attacks, and people were laughing. If this is the kind of divisive politics they are bringing to the table soon we will be shooting people if they do not belong to our political party or share our political views, shame!!!

Victory in Iraq is in sight? I thought that mission was accomplished years ago.

i just woke up after seeing that bush is sending 1 billion to georgia to re build , why us we not poeple who should be doing tis--unless puttin was raigt and bush did just as he said he did cause a ruff with the russian to push them into this war, as puttin said bush keepth pushing him till he finnally did what he did , and like puttin said he did it to give a scare to the u.s. as to boost mccainscahances to grab the white house and since it did not work he was compeled to pay for all the dammages it caused or it be leaked to the press that puttin was telling the truth, not asif he rig a war anywhere elese like - iraq also may be the reason we will never ever see any of that oil money, think about this investagate ,show the world you ,put 2 and 2 together, there again is no reason that bush is giving them 1 billion in cash not aid,, think out of the box this man has done so much to hurt this country and never been called on it ,be the first. k

crooks

Sarah Palin's rhetoric played out GREAT in that convention room- but it's the NATIONAL stage now.
Her personal attacks on Obama meant that "the gloves are off " – and NO need to worry about attacking some supposedly "nice" woman.
She is ISN'T nice .

OBAMA/BIDEN 08!

Wow, I can't believe some of the glowing reviews of this speech . . .did your reporters watch the same one I did? It was a lame, canned rehash of the same old right-wing platform and attack, with no substance on the issues at all. It was painful to watch her attempts to keep up with the teleprompter.

Bizzare praise for a boring speech.

Now the gloves come off. If Palin wants to talk tuff and wants to get in the ring with the boys dont go crying sexism or any other foul if your feelings are hurt. I have a funny feeling this so called pit bull is really a chiuaua.

Her speech is typical Republican who cannot relate to the common folks. If you do a survey of the number of volunteer hours done by the Republicans vs Democrates, you will see why there is such a division among the two parties. Most folks are not born with silver spoon. No matter how successful a Democrate becomes, they are less likely to forget their roots, where they came from, or how to relate to the people who are less fortunate. As an independent, after viewing both conventions, I feel more aligned to Obama's vision rather than offensive postures of the Republicans.

Plain as Vp and possible President is frightening, minimizing Obama as a community leader, helping the senior citizens and the poor, speaking and referred to as a "Pitt Bull" and your credentials as a mom of five children, a very young baby who needs his motherly love 24/7 and a pregrant teenager, AND TO WATCH HOW pLAIN WAS CHEERED AND PRAISED FOR A GREAT SPEECH, AND TO THINK SHE HAS THE GUTS TO MINIMIZE oBAMA'S WORK SERVING THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION. vERY DISAPPOINTED.

For someone who won the run for Mayor of her tiny home town on the fact that she was the runner up to Miss Alaska, she is asking for a lot of leeway on her experience.

She had the chance tonight to show what she was capable of and "Being Mayor is like being a Community Organizer but with responsibility" is the best she can come up with?

Biden is going to eat her alive at the debate.

And 2 (and a half) days and counting and still no mention of any issues.

Its public displays of childlike tantrums and name calling like this debacle tonight that make all americans look stupid. That entire crowd was cheering for their own ignorance and stupidity. We're doomed.

Governor Palin had the media & analysts melting like butter in the palm of her hand! I think the media & analysts did the major flip-flopping on this candidate! What a difference a day makes.

The fact remains she was chosen over far more qualified candidates, inspite of just a few months ago not even knowing what the VP job required. Her speech was nicely delivered and she delivered the punches, just as she was suppose to, but failed to detail what she and McCain are going to do for the American people, to ensure that more money goes into our pockets and not theirs.

You started the sharp rhetoric Governor Palin . . . If you can't take the heat, you better hire your chef back and stay out of the kitchen.

Not sure about this choice though. I saw a great lack of confidence here. Besides I could careless about a pit bull as VP. We've been bitten enough and we don't need any more bites. She may good as mayor or governor BUT not VP. I think she is a naturally tough lady but a VP is same as president and I don't think she is there yet. Just my 2 cents.

Sorry, David. I feel very differently about this than you. I've lived in big cities, overseas, and in small town America. I can't imagine anywhere I've lived where we would invite this woman into our homes.

The girl next door, you say? Yes, she's about as qualified to be VP as is the girl next door. She fired up the convention hall, I'll give her that. But all that talk comes back to one thing: the social conservatives still want to control this country. Well, we've seen how bitterly divisive they are for this country–and Palin did NOTHING to change that. She may be good for the GOP, but she (like the extreme right wing of her party) is bad for the country.

Gergan, are you serious in your analysis? This was a very forgettable speech. Not inspiring, no vision, just pandering to the basest instincts of the thuggish GOP. How pathetic and what a joke to think that she could be president. I'm amazed that you think she could be. I use to have respect for you but I think your losing it in your old age. Who in the heck was your Democrat friend that thought she is like Ann Richards? Nothing at all if you ask me. Not even close.

Palin didn't belittle helping your community. She merely pointed out that as an elected governor, she's done more as a "community organizer" than Obama has. Ironically, running the executive branch of a thinly populated state like Alaska requires more leadership and helps more people than being a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in a south Chicago neighborhood.

Palin has opened the box. Now, the Republicans can't give us the
"sexism" drivel when Obama and Biden hit back.

I would have hoped Palin would have come out and tried to sell America on who she was. Instead, she turned into a shrill attack dog. Why should she stoop so low? Isn't that the reason Giuliani was there??

ole Cindy better watch out... Ole John might be starting to have a second mid-life crisis

I just don't get how you think she did a good job. All she did was make me dislike her immensely. She dares to belittle people for doing community service. What...does she think she is too good for community service. She is full of herself and it shows.

I don't need to find out anymore about Sara Palin after tonite it is just to clear that she is more of the same if not worst. That dog don't hurt!

Obama/Biden08

My favorite part of the speech was when Sarah's daughter licked her hand an then smoothed the baby's hair. The rest of it needed to be thrown out.

why won't you post my comments!!??

Oops!!! Karl Rove couldn't help her last night. Any guy who had his first dinner with the courtship's family knows he has to impress, but above all, he must not let his negative traits surface. The Karl Rove tactics have become so strongly internalized by most republicans now that Palin also could not keep them inside. The American public gave her one chance and now no matter what she does, the first impression will stick. Live by fear and smear, die by fear and smear. What goes around comes around!!!

Is there a new church for nasty, hateful, hypocrites that I didn't know about?

I just switch my support from Hillary to McCain-Palin. Democrates give us a talker without any true experiences. Obama is the least qualified nominee I have seen since I became a US citizien in 1987. I donated more than a thousand dollar to Hillary. Too bad they chose empty words over experiences. I checked the record of Obama through Google and could not find a single major reform bill he wrote or sponsored in either Illinois or in US Senate. He may be good in speeches, but speeches cannot substitute true work results and experiences. McCain had major bills with Democrates and he proved to be able to write and sponsor bipartisan bills. I have just donated $500 to the McCain-Palin campaign. Will donate more now after I heard Gov. Palin's speech tonight. She is at least as capable as Obama to be the commander-in-chief. If Obama wants to compare his experiences with Palin, I still think that Perlin has more experience than he, except maybe in making empty promises. Go McCain-Palin.

same posts here.. Looks like paid obama operatives at work..

Lots of red meat (and blood) on the RNC floor. But where was the substance, David? (Hidden in all the hot air?)

The only thing Palin delivers is less experience then Obama and an extreme far right Candidacy.

She is a disgrace and she is under investigation.

Reading these bloggers' comments points out the absolute lack of objectivity most people have. I think Gergan says it well and accurately. Palin was a home run for the Republican base. Obviously annoying to blogging Dems. The question is how she plays to the undecideds. I think they will like her generally. Whether they will vote for her is the question. The quality of this blog would be elevated significantly if we could leave the vitriol to the politicians!!!

Note how all the CNN commentators gave her speech an A or B, while the public gave her an F...

As mildly ignorant as CNN commentators are, there is no way that they would truthfully give her obviously Rove-prepped and prepared speech, a.k.a. pile of vile nonsense sputum an A...please...

The media is attempting to keep this race close because it sells ad space, but they can only hold out for so long...the Republicans lack of "bounce" after this convention should be evidence enough for them...unless CNN doctors the polls...again...(cross-reference other major polls if you're a non-believer)

I am not a great fan of Hillary Clinton, but I will take her anytime compared to Palin. Palin is shallow and have no substance. Hillary is intelligent and has the experience. It is incredulous that Palin belittled Obama being a community organizer! Shame on her!

It is also very insulting that the Republicans think that they will be able to sway Clinton voters to Palin. Hillary is way smarter and have more experience. Furthermore, Clinton and Palin stand very differently on a lot of issues. Go Obama-Biden!

I liked her example of Harry Truman in speaking about small town America. The Kansas City Area with Independence Mo. has a lot more people and will vote for another democrat again, Obama.

Oh please!! How can you people be so blind? She only made the cracks against the "community organizer" tonight because they, the drive-by media and Obama camp, have been taking pot shots at her all day long about her "lack" of experience. Funny how Obama only mentions her as a mayor of some hick town and convieniently leaves out the fact that she is currently a govenor, a govenor who has a list of accomplishments far longer than Obamas. What can Obama claim he's done for his constituents? I didn't think so!
Mrs. Palin knows all too well how important a community organizer can be. That's the basis of her background, starting out small in the community and working her way up the civil/political ladder. It just shows who really has more executive experience here, and it's not Obama!

Just another sleazy, fast talking loudmouth lippy dame that would no more represent the women or anybody else in this country. I am fed up with these stupid ignorant holy rolling morons!! FED UP!

First of all thanks God that she can read nicely from a prepared speech, but honestly this lady is really frightening. The speech she delivered, except the part about her life, was absolutely pointless and without any substance, rather it was one of the nastiest speeches I’ve ever heard from a person who is running for the highest office. What did she offer as real solutions for solving the problems that are mostly created by her own party? What kind of unity can she promote in this divided country by mocking members of the other party? What kind of respect does she have for her opponent who strongly defended her daughter from attacks and called her children “off-limit”?

This lady hasn’t left any positive impression on me, she has no character and I think she is just a divisive, low level political figure who is running for a high office which simply is not her place.

I’m so surprised that some of the so called “best political team” on CNN were excited about the fact that she is a mother and she loves her children, and she has a DS infant!!! Come on, this is not something unique about her, everybody loves her children. Please talk about her experience and important issues that were missing completely in her speech.

Obama/Biden= Hope, prosperity, unity, restoring American dream
McCain/Palin= hatred, fear-mongering, disunity, low-level politics, more 4 year of Bush

Please post it CNN

Hey Sarah-I liked that part of your speech when you talked about your son going off to war...But don't worry, Barrack will bring him home....Obama/Biden 08

Guess if your happy over the last eight years then yes this speech did deliver. Just looking for some solutions, a direction and someone with substance. Im sure McCain will play the good cop tomorrow though. On another note I ?as extremely dissapointend in the commetary of the speach. The panel seems in goo goo for lack of a better word until you brought on some liberals to shed light that one this was good speach but not even in the same league as Obama and two she didn't say anything but attacks. Its like you people enjoy seeing the country divided and arguing. Guess it means more stories and revenue for you. But really extremely poor partisan coverage that left me thinking are these people actually paid to be journalists

Yeh. that's right alienate Community Organizers and all the people who live in big cities. I will give McCain this, putting her in the room made it look like there was someone other than old people there. And, i don't think Palin puts her childred first at all. Now, they'll get even less attention from their mom. Michelle O will never neglect her girls and she is a highly educated working woman.

Can she answer this question?

What's wrong with Community Organizers? They are selfless in their helping of people. Does she not intend to help people.

Go ahead and call yourself a dog. I'm sure most of the rest of the world will too.

Sarah Palin's speech unfortunately left a bad,bad feeling in my heart.
Initially, I was hopeful that she being the righteous woman that she's being portrayed as, that she would deliver an informative and factual speech;but instead she lived-up to the FEMALE PITBULL with LIPSTICK on, as she so eloquently compared herself to.

Mr. Gergen you are absolutey right, Palin did deliver!
The Republicans got everything they could possibly want from her----BUCKETS and BUCKETS OF MOOSE NUGGETS!!!!!!!!!!
NOW RODGER THAT!

Personal Stories and Tragic Events don't qualify you to be president. My Grandpa spent days hunkered down in Fox holes with little food and water while Nazis shot at his regiment and killed his friends during WWII. My great uncle fought the Japanese in the pacific and was only one of six people who survived when his ship sank after being torpedoed
Those events didn't qualify them to be president. Those events didn't qualify them to lead a nation.

The republicans are at it again...divide and conquer, a republican trade mark . It usually works as they keep the empty minds in America busy hating each other. It was scary watching this separatist movement ignite their sheep with blatant lies and anger. Isn't this how witches were burned at the cross?

McClain has hired a female Don Rickles who I, as a woman find offensive. Granted mistakes do happen, however how dear Palin parade her daughter in front of my teenage daughter, as an example for other teen in America. Palin appears to know no shame, the big question is should she?

Why not tell all teenager that having a child is ok, after all you will be like the teenager of the Vice President of America. Is this the best America has to offer? God help us.

I am glad to see others also were insulted by the mockery of community work. I personally donate a great deal of my time trying to make my community a better place. Isn't that what strengthens us? Isn't that ultimately what makes our country what it is? How can Palin, Giuliani and the rest claim to be for the little guy... claim to be Patriots and yet make such ugly and condescending remarks about community organizing?

Who are the real elitists here? And Gov. Palin... you call yourself a Christian and yet make a mockery of work that reaches out to help your fellow man?

To Zen:

Well said & I am in total agreement. I thought the snide remarks by Palin & Rudy were below the belt. I felt put off by the dismissive "jabs" at Obama's sacrifice & service. He was right. These guys think they own patriotism. Although the commentators thought her speech was a "home run," I think the media will be surprised at the reactions in the coming days. She also left herself open for more questions by sticking to her "reform" image & "bridgegate". La Times reports today over $100 million in earmarks requested by Palin & her support for the notorious bridge to nowhere. Finally, I hope that now commentators will stop saying Biden has to be "careful" while debating a woman. I'm surprised more women are not offended by this. I thought the goal is to treat everyone equally regardless of gender. Why should Biden or anyone have to "walk a fine line" if being attacked by a pitbull in lipstick as Palin referred to herself. I say go toe to toe & let the verbal blows fly. We may end up seeing a different breed at the debates without the help of GWB's speech writers. Perhaps a chiuaua. All bark no bite.

For people who said that Palin had more vote in her election as governer than Biden did as president, I want them to know that Biden was not on the barlot caucus past Iowa. You cannot take vote from one state and generalize the situation. I guess the same situation apply for that person when it come to his failed presidency bid as well. Biden is a long time experience senator with far more vote in all his reelection than that person who stated that comment and Palin combine. Biden is ready for the job when Palin is going to be an intern for the job.

Delivers what exactly? A good speach? One liners? Attacks? Lies on earmarks, reform, bridges and being part of the good old boy network? Insults to liberals, media, African Amerians, Michelle Obama, Community Organizers, Barrak Obama? I may have missed a few of the insults after the hear is my familly you know the Dad who works for oil, got a dui and belong to a fanatical group that wants to seceed from the US. The pregnant daughter and her boyfriend who now have their entire lives under a microscope. But don't teach sex ed in schools. Her son going to Iraq on Sept 11th hope any terrorists are watching this or any enemies there. They have a picture, date and place now. (Really though god guide him throught out his service and keep him safe.) But the point is I would not personally give out that information to a national audience. Just seemed weird. No I was not impressed she answered no questions on her qualifications or the direction she wants to take this country nor any policy she believes in and will fight for other then drilling for oil.

She should be delivering pizza. Lets see, Obama a Ivy league grad, gave up the money to help the less fortunate. McCain marries rich, soccer mom is out of control give me Obama anyday

"After all, there are still some serious questions about what kind of president she might be."

Gergen, I like you. You are one of the few people who, when I channel surf, I stop every time I see you as I HAVE to watch. You always say something worth listening to. However, this sentence sent shivers up my spine. The thought of Palin as President is appalling. The combination of unqualified with extreme right-wing positions is a warning sign to all people who want to decide what is best for themselves and their families.

And now today. The media begins to explore the allegations of Palins Marital Infidelity reported by the Enquirer.

All right dollfaces, lets not smear your makeup with tears because Sarah Palin took a hard angle on Mr. Obama tonight. This is, by the way, a contest. Tit for tat, take that Democrat.

McCain/Palin all the way to Penn. Ave!

personal at times? That was gop format 101.........
Go with personal attacks, innuendo and fabrication- all brought to you by the Karl Rove School of Filth!
My Dad taught me that "you can never build yourself up by tearing someone else down"- He never went to Rove's School.

The entire RNC attacks were on Obama and Biden was never mentioned. The Republicans, particularly the ring wing conservatives are liars, hate mongers, racist and the most evil group of people I have ever seen in my life. They call themselves born again Christians who love God. and place great emphasis on having values and morals, which in truth they lack.

These individuals are HYPOCRITES and are very poor examples of a Christian. I pray that Obama wins and this group of demons including the new addition Palin are exposed and brpught to shame just like Bush Jr.

Palin, deliver all right. I can’t Waite until Joe Biden tears her down from limb to limb. Biden is going to lay a smack down on her.

Too little, too late for the republicans.
Palin is in for a rude awakening and when she returns to Alaska it will be with her tail between her legs and a bruised ego.
Palin is not ready, not now. Maybe she should run for president of Alaska.

After hearing her spew nothing but attacks, I'm confused how anyone at CNN could say that "she nocked it out of the ballpark". C'mon, where's the substance? I did not hear anything specific about how Republicans are going to repair this mess that American is in right now. In fact, I did not hear anything but bashing from all the speakers at this convention this evening. And after watching the majority of this convention, I am even further convinced that Obama/Biden actually care about all of America and not just the right wing fanatical base.

I think that I can honestly say that Americans across this nation are tired of the Republican spin machine. If they are afraid of scrutiny, they attack the media. If they have no concrete plans to fix America, they attack the other candidate in an effort to tear him down. This party is a party full of sneaky, lying whiners who do not have all of America's best interest at heart. And I'm tired of the media and their party thinking that white women are the only ones who are going to vote in this election.

Never though I'd actually be looking forwarding to the investigative ability of the ENQUIRER...

I'm sure there's more to know about Mrs Palin. McOld's recklessness in trying to win an election in amazing!! This is a Marverick?

I think not.

Palin talk a lot about Omaba's not been participeting in any important laws or desicions been taking in Congress, I ask her.. Are you been there? because you talk like you know exactly what happen.
McCain now is a Hero,because he went to a war, he just did what he got pay to do, just like any other soldier with the luck that not got killed in a Wa. And I ask again are you were there? or you are just reading what you been instruct it.

We need a person that lives in a real life and knows the problems we have in America, no in Iraq or any other country. We need a real president who is going to defend our territory and not just Talk, Mr Giuliani 911 was in your time, republicants time, what did you guys had done to protect the country ,send our soldiers to another country to defend according with you freedom, what about secure our territory?Now you talking about have the experience to protect us, Osama still free,now you are talking about lower theGas price, just because is elections time.
Do you really think people is going to belive and to put atention to the same song.

Shame on you Republicans, shame on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Community organizing does not qualify you to be the president. Obama did it for 3 years and got frustrated and quit. The area he worked in looks just like it did before. No change.

Palin is cut from the same cloth as the current administration: They outed a CIA agent and she tried to ruin the life of a public servant.

Palin delivers but at what cost.

If this woman lived next door to me, I would move. Promptly.

Palin's speech ws great...great for showing what she is truly about. She is about winning just to win. She could care less about anything else. McCain has fallen far from grace. I don't care really about her jabs to Obama or the dems – I expect that from the Rove...er...Republican party. I'm in dismay that not one minute of her speech said how they were going to solve problems...only that their "opponents" were too busy "community organizing" to do anything about it. Has anyone noticed that her kids listened to this trash??? For a hockey mom (I think soccer might have played better in many more areas – who the hell plays hockey?), she sure doesn't care that shes teaches her kids to make a mockery of an American who pulled himself from his bootstraps without a father to be a history making candidate. She could show alittle respect and poise...

The only thing she delivered was a mean, sarcastic, and inaccurate attack. I can't believe CNN correspondents fell for it. You got it very wrong...CNN

Really Gergen? Palin delivers? Exactly what did she deliver? She read a script written by the proteges of Karl Rove and stirred up the 30% of Americans who still support George Bush. Is the media really responding to the intimidation of the likes of John McCain? Who cares if he doesn't come on your shows? He just won't get the coverage he craves. Stop being pushovers and do your job. What Palin delivered was the same manure Republicans have been delivering for 8 years. Get a grip Gergen.

I am so impressed I don't feel I need to run with John any more. Lets have Palin replace him and have him be the VP. "Palin, Palin, Palin, Palin, Palin, Palin, Palin. You go girl!!! Take over!! You have the power and we are all behind you!!! Whoopee! Whoopee!!

The woman flat out insulted every Community Organizer in the country and you think she delivered?

The speech was garbage. Sarah please do us all a favor and go back to Alaska.

I really think that most of the complaints about the speeches are just "sour grapes." Palin gave a great speech. So did Giuliani. NPR, are you kidding?
Show me a politician that has no speech writer and I'll show you a liar! You really think Obama writes his own speeches? Ha!
She mentioned nothing about his family. So because Obama didn't attack in reference to her daughter, Palin was to take the high ground and say nothing critical about him? Balderdash! She did exactly what she needed to do. Hit the Dem's and hit'em hard. Right in the baby maker. Besides, if she didn't do it, you would complain that she was "week" and inexperianced. You'll never be happy with her. So just move past so the big kids can talk. I think the little table is in the corner.
I have no idea what Obama did as a community organizer. He could have sit in an office the whole time as far as I know. But what I do know is that it has nothing to do about writing and making policy. And who said that the community needed organizing anyway? I know if some dude showed up at my house wanting to "organize" me, he would be shown the property line.
Obama scares the dickens out of me. I don't need anymore government "taking care of me" or "organizing" me! If McCain and Palin can shrink governent and not expand it futher into my home, I'm all for them.
So I will just sit here clinging to my religion and holding on to my guns and hope (i think that's the term being used alot right now) that this country will see that the Rep's got it right. Or is it left? Ahh, I forget.

She is a joke! I was supporting her before her speech tonight, after her speech, I lost respect for her. I am a woman and women are supposed to unite not divide, To govern a any country as a leader you need to bring people together, it not only Rnc living in unite state, the left are American citizen too. We American abroad here in Canada are disappointed and as woman and a mother, she failed the first test. When Obama was asked to comment on her daughters rumor, he defended her. On the first night of her fist introduction to the nation and America's abroad like me, she failed, just as she failed as a mother.

Palin's speech was funny few times. When she portrayed herself "Lipstick" between Hockey mom and a Pitbull I thought she might say "Read my lip".

She is no "Hillery" Don't insult Hillery Clinton.

I'm a democrat, but I have to say Palin really convinced me that they are probably the best ticket than Obama who I am not sure has any substance to him.

Be not overly concerned, the Universe is unfolding as it should. Looks like I picked a great evening to NOT watch CNN.

Those words weren't even her own – she very poorly parrotted what was written. I thought it was snarky and juvenile and exactly what the American electorate has grown tired of.

Disgusting.

Governor Palin doesn't seem to know or care how much she is being used by the same old-boys network" she claims to have beaten. She is naive beyond description.

It absolutely terrifies me thinking of how our country will deteriorate if McCain/Palin win. We can't afford to take another step backward for 4 years, because at that point, it might be too late to make up for Bush AND McCain's mistakes.

What happened to discussing real issues rather than voting for a candidate because "she's so family oriented" or "he's a POW"?

A good point was made by one of the commentators during the GOP conventon tonight, that it is common practice for the Republicans to accuse the Press of being hard or unfair to them and history shows that the press always backs off – well, PRESS, will you go hard and bring the truth as you did in the Primaries (McCain has enjoyed a free ride long enough) or will you be a bunch of wussies and shut up?

I am so excited about this ticket, I truly dont believe the last time I felt so energized by an election. I am a Democrat, female, 44 years old.

I am pro-choice but respect people's pro-life stance. I even find myself being more toward pro-life just becuase I am a proud mother and just recently a proud grandmother.

I like Sara Palin, she has more experience in Public office at city councel level, mayor level and Governership of the Oil rich state of Alaska.

She has more experience then any of the running candidates. I like the fact that she is a reformer and fights corruptive government. She is also well verced in the oil industry, they know not to mess with her! I am voting for the Maverick who selected this great VP.

#1. Go John McCain, we love you, from Anaheim, California

Sarah Snide

Certainly, not to me!!!!! Those kinds of politics are not "trendy" to me and people around me! No, but thanks!!!!
It is for those kind of attitudes that nothing gets accomplished in Washington. We are looking for ways to ACCOMPLISH WHAT AMERICA NEEDS AND WANTS, not for "pit bulls with lipstick". Dalila

The hateful diatribes that American heard tonight cannot possibly do the Republican Party any good.

When they are compared with the hopeful and forward looking message being delivered by the Democrats, it is hard to imagine that people will choose another four year of the same kind of venality that has sickened our culture for the last eight years.

Instead of "God bless America" I suspect that many of us tonight are praying "God please rescue America.

Instead of appauding the "red meat" you and the panel seem to revel in, why don't you do your job and fact check what this sarcastic, arrogant woman had to say.

McCain has become a distasteful politician who wants to define what the press says about his campaign and yet wants to be able to say, attack, lie and belittle the other side. Let's see if the media has the guts to stand up to him and do their job!!

I think it is sad that CNN only posts the liberal comments on this website. I have read through all the comments and do not see one viewpoint from a conservative person or someone who actually listened to what she said. Their plan for the economy is to LOWER TAXES for Americans AND NOT RAISE TAXES FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS -SO THAT IT CAN AFFECT ALL AMERICANS WHO WORK FOR A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER OR WHO BUY GOODS AND SERVICES FROM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER! Their energy plan is to DRILL in America while being eco-friendly because American people are the priority right now. Their energy plan is to build pipeline (as she stated!), explore new technology (as she stated!), and to utilize our own natural resources by drilling (as she stated!).

She is portraying herself like a pitbull, but when the hard questions come, they'll claim sexism or keep her hidden from media so she can't answer questions on her own, which is sexists or exhibits McCain's poor judgement in selecting a candidate that can't comment on domestic and foreign affairs without Great Grand Daddy McCain beside her, or heck Lieberman...because we all know McCain has problems himself answering questions...

The debate was so divisive and made me dislike Palin more than I already had. I was hoping to alteast come away with some keen insight into the woman she may be, and all I got was a woman doing McCain's dirty work of trash talk, which I find distasteful.

Cute beauty pagent speech. Heavy on the fluff nothing on substance.

Palin gave an outstanding performance tonight. More importantly, she has a record of accomplishment to back it up. She negotiated eyeball to eyeball with Big Oil and got a much better deal for her state. So much so that she returned $1200 to every adult in Alaska. If you think she cannot hold her own at the negotiating table with foreign leaders, you are uninformed or living in a fantasy world. This woman is the real deal. No wonder the Dems are so panicked by her nomination.

That was the most horrific way for a candidate to introduce herself to America. The Republicans had already written this script for a man, so when McCain pulled a fast one and threw Palin into the fire, they tried to pretty it up a bit. But the relentless negativity and attacking tone were completely repulsive. And because Giuliani went on too long, the pulled the video introduction that might have given her personal story some warmth and grace, compounding the shocking effect of her nasty attacks.

The Republicans blew it big time.

And because she attacked so hard and so personally, she and the Republicans cannot hide behind their skirts and cry sexism when we drag every sleazy scandal out of this monster's closet and pick them apart for the next two months.

What a great speech. She topped Osama Ben Bama. Way to go girl.

I must say I am happy to see so many positive headline on this woman.

As you can see by the comments that's not going to help her,because we the people DO NOT want that running our country.!!!!!!!!!!!

She solidified her GOP base. She also fired up the Democratic base to stand against her strong and hard. She was mean spirited and fear mongering. Shame on her. We don't need a female version of George Bush anywhere near the White House. Democrats unite.

Get serious fellows. community organizing is for churches . She is not demeaning that line of work so don,t take it so personally. But it does not qualify you to run a country. Tell me How this gives the foreign policy experience. Be careful democrats this is the real trap . They are roping you in. Good Luck in November . Long way to go yet so dont open that bottle just yet. PS – If community organizing is the paramount qualification for American President not student council then should I send you resume of well a lot of people with all kinds of diverse stories and backgrounds. But word of caution they may not deliver the kind of speech your guy does. And is that the paramount qualifications. And oh yes Obama does not throw any jabs at Mccain or Palin. What you expect him to just take it. Grow up its an election year.

I am independent from ohio and she did not do it. the politics of tearing each other apart is over.
I expected her as a reformer as she says to try and walk above all this, take the high road. i was extremely dissapointed.
How cam she look down on community organizer.

As a woman, i dont think the sexiest issue should come up again, she is fair game period.

I LOVED her speech. She hit the nail right on the head about everything about Obama. I think you are seriously still underestimating this woman and this ticket.

This GOP convention is making so easy for OBAMA to be our next president. Stop attacking you racists....start helping americans.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Although a Democrat I will have to vote for the Republican candidates.
As a tax preparer Obama scares me. The American people are taxed enough and I am not so stupid as to think all the money for his "change" will come from God and NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. I feel he lacks the experience necessary to Lead the People. He says "what the people WANT to hear, but without much substance. Watching the CNN report on Obama and McCain helped make up my mind about how untrustworthy Obama is and how much ambition drives him. He can keep his "present" votes as it says alot about him, his convictions and desire to be President. I am NOT ASHAMED to put my hand over my heart and believe in America saying the pledge, one symbol He cannot grasp.

Heaven help the U.S. A. if she becomes vice president. The possibility of this person possibly becomng our President if something happened to John M............??????????? What was he thinking?

Hillary ,,where are you? She is not you and will not even come close to you

Obama . Biden 08

You say that "she was a large, confident personality" What I saw was someone who was simply nasty – snide and personal, angry and viscious, petty and wrong about facts.

You note that "she delivered an extremely well crafted speech". I heard falsehoods delivered with a ring of sincerity. Outright lies apparently swallowed whole and replayed from a true believer. Wow...now that's scary!.

How can you mention Katrina... and only lament over the strategic petroleum reserve being opened during the shortfall and say nothing about the devastation to hundreds of thousands of peoples lives, homes and communities. Not to mention over 1800 people died.... but it is really sad that we tapped our oil reserve?

Sounds REALLY out of touch to me

I am a recovering republican. I have watched both conventions. I must say that "yes" I am afraid, very afraid that the republicans will get into office one more time. I have grown older and wiser and fear that America has lost its way. What did I hear tonight? War! Win at all costs! Make no acceptions! Who do you see in the crowd? Old white Americans(by the way I'm not to old but I am white) God help us the GOP continues to cut funds for education and community projects, what does that leave for the average to poor American? Well there is always the militayr!!!!!!

McCain's new ad puts another stitch in what we've called his pattern of deceit on Obama's tax plan. This one claims Obama and congressional Democrats plan to push forward "painful tax increases on working American families" and that they will bring about "years of deficits," "no balanced budgets" and "billions in new government spending."

The ad is plain wrong about higher taxes on working families. In fact, Obama's economic plan would produce a tax cut for the majority of American households, with middle-income earners benefiting most. As for "years of deficits," exactly the same claim could be made about McCain's program. It's unlikely either Obama or McCain would balance the budget, and both are projected to increase the debt by trillions.

Analysis
We've already reported on at least three other ads, in both Spanish and English, from Sen. John McCain's campaign that distort his rival's tax policy. The ads claim that, for example, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama would raise taxes "on the sale of your home" and that he has a "history of raising taxes" and that he wanted to raise taxes on "families" making just $42,000 a year.

Claims like these have led us to say that McCain's campaign is engaging in a "pattern of deceit" when it comes to describing Obama's tax plan. This most recent ad fits right into the template.

Who writes these? Sheesh...
She was shill, and a aww gee shucks folksy bore.
AND she had her speech written before she was even chosen.

She sure delivered a devising message. Same old republican smear campaing. McCain I thought you were better than this. But I guess you'll do anything to win an election.

McCain and Palin can't beat the media too. They act as they are in a war with fellow ameicans. Just division, pure hatred and vitriol. This will backfire on them. Too many people are hurting, we don't want this divisivise Karl Rove, Right Wing Crap. And if anybody in rural america falls for this, you think you are poor now, just look back in four years if you vote these 2 in office. Not to mention reinacting the draft to take your sons and daughters away from home. Sad, Sad, Sad

Man O man. The truth hunts, don't it. The way you guys are squalling means she hit a home run.

I have a very bad feeling that Palin is going to PWN Obama and Biden so bad that she will single handedly give the election to McCain on a silver platter.

I fear this woman being president. I'm about ready to barf!

Joycean, what on earth do you mean about giving her the rights to knock on Obama's experience?? Have you been listening to Obama's campaign at all over the past week? That is all they have been doing is knocking Palin's experience!

The GOP were pathetic today, I was not moved a bit by any of their speeches, is this what they want our young generation to inherit. Shame on you GOP.

Please, half these comments are senseless. Seriously, the dig on being a community organizer, what else are they going to point out on Sen. Obama's resume? That's really all he has ever done, except a very brief period as a law professor. His activist experience is the one thing that he keeps drawing on to talk about his vision of hope for the future. But, what record of activism does he really have? Does anyone know what he did in those Chicago neighborhoods? All I know is that he helped run a publicly-funded education program that was chaired by Ayres (previous member of the domestic terrorist group the Weather Underground) that spent millions and supplied no significant results. An all too common outcome for most liberal programs.

When Sen. Obama was asked what executive experience he had to show in his resume, he pointed out that he has ran his Presidential Campaign. First, do we really believe that he is the mastermind of his political campaign; especially with the list of Democratic campaign veterans on his staff? Also, should a presidential contender's only executive experience be actually running for Executive office? The fact that Republicans have actually centered on Sen. Obama's past stint as a community organizer should really tell us more about how little...well...of anything to speak-of he has in his resume to mention, much-less criticize.

By-the-way, the comment about writing two memoirs, but no legislative accomplishments in either the State Senate or the US Senate, was a pretty good observation. I guess it is hard to be a leader when you are too busy on the campaign trail how great a leader you are....huh...will be.

I started voting Republican since Ronald Regan – I wanted to hear smething that would cause me to stay Republican – I did not hear it – All I heard was a lot of negative, childish beating up of the Democrats and a lot of over 50 people with wide grins – clapping for speeches that had no substance. McCain's plan for the next 4 years, well I've stayed the course since the '70's, time for change now.
Sorry, but I will be voting for Obama.

Gergen...this is a bar room speech..how is this ooh ahh speech gonna help ME ! HUH ! Where was my children in this... HUH ! I thought you had more substance Gergen ! This ain't nothing but a game too you all ! People are dying ! from ILL leadership and world policy . What did she deliver, RED MEAT ? NO. a speech that i could here at the barbershop ! Ben Stein is floored , I'm floored that he is so SHALLOW in intellect, if he is floored from that, he would be in Hell if he heard the truth ! Sadly I could never defend this place if this is what we stand for. Nor could we grow any hire .

What...what did she deliver?

A solid plan th fix the ecomony?
Jobs to replace the millions that have been lost on Bush's watch?
Healthcare for the millions of American's without it.

SHE DIDN'T DELIVER A THING.

No one at the GOP, and I certainly don't expect McCain to. These people failed us for eight years, and they failed us tonight.

This Independent just hopped the fence; I'll be voting for Obama.

Oh come on. Sure the community organizer mention was a low blow, but she was comparing office titles. Obama doesn't really have any executive experience and she does. That was the point of her comment, but she could have gone about it a different way. I think we need to see how she does out from under the writers and talking points. I think she did a bang up job. Its a whole new ball game as on pundit said....

I agree that she will have strong appeal to rural voters and her bravado will serve to rally the conservative base. However, her references to executive experience and understanding energy issues don't really move me. It'd be one thing if she was governor of California or Texas, but Alaska's economic and political dynamic is so far removed from the rest of the country, that the same fundamentals don't hold.

And as far as "seeming like the girl next door," am I the only one that wants someone above average? As much as I like my neighbors, I'm not sure I want them running the country...

More of the same.

Once again, what we get from the Republican's is a rewriting of history. And not just that, but Ms. Palin's speech was one of lot's of flash, but absolutely NO substance. Her sarcasm was completely unattractive and was a turn-off, despite the adoration she recieved from Wolf Blitzer and other CNN correspondants. They blew the acheivements of this speech completely out of proportion. This speech showed that the bi-partisanship that grid-lock's Washington started with and is perpetuated by the Republican's. There is no desire on their side to work with anyone other than themselves. The Republican's have come to stand for–If you're not a Republican, you're unpatriotic, you're UnAmerican. Well, that is not what our forefather's designed our form of government for, Republican's aren't for more freedom, history bears this out to be true. They want to be in your bedrooms, in your hospital rooms and tell you how to live your life.
For years they have claimed to be for smaller government and lower taxes, while the last three Republican presidents have seen us through the largest expansion in government and the largest increase in our national debt. The ONLY reason that the current Democratic congress has not got anything done is because they don't have enough of a majority to override a veto and President Bush, who in the first six years of his presidency never used his veto, has vetoed EVERY peice of Democratic legislation that has come across his desk.
The Republican's are the party of cynic's. They count on American's having short memories or America's "stupidity". They repeat their talking points to death–they use the basic advertising principal that if the average American hears something three times, they believe it to be true, ala the HEAD-ON commercials. We have to show them that we are smarter than that. This nation cannot withstand another 4 to 8 years of Republican rule, they don't govern, they rule. The most prosperous time in the last twenty years came with a Democratic President who balanced our budget and curtailed the building of our national debt. And that is not revisionist history!

Shocking – this convention reminds me strongly at old pictures from the "Nazi-Reichsparteitag". In he mood of hate, lies and war-heros.
America, we are now in the 21century, you and the world deserve better answers.

I thought the speech was bad. It showed every evidence of Karl Rove and George Bush. So if she is as tough as she says she is, then it is open season when it comes to debates. Those were her words and like a lady once said, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." That goes for the rest who are blaming the media and the other campaign. And quite frankly, I am sick of this pow crap. He wasn't the only one who fought that war.

Come on Gergen she delivered a blunt hatchet to no effect, other than to introduce herself as a mockery.

The GOP is no longer a national party.
No one but the theocrats will still be on board in the end, it's clear there's no room for anyone else. The neocons and even the corporate fascist may have too look elsewhere.

This lady is one big mess! After an entire week of waiting I thought she would come with substance and a thoughtful message. This was attack attack attack. NEWSFLASH: Lady we don't know you! What little we know about you is negative- pregnant teenage daughter, troopergate. Shouldn't you be somewhere explaining yourself first before you attack. You really need to reverse courses on this one because as cute as you think that speech was- it wasn't.

How will she perfom without a script? She will make a good actress, because she knows how to read someone else's script. However, this Nation is deeper and savvier to not see this theatrical charade for what it is. Don't shove a mediocre candidate down our throats by surrounding her with speech writers and coaches, then give her a script with words she barely understands and expect us "foolish" Americans to fall for your shenanigans. What an insult!!

Thank you Gergen, for being willing to be honest about Palin. You may be the one guy at CNN who is truly nonpartisan. CNN, why are you reposting anti-Palin comments and never posting mine?

From an independent perspective, and a young voter…I felt like she was waiting for an applause right after each statement. I don't know if I am the only who had notice this pattern where she would somewhat was waiting for affirmation on each statement. It seems like she wanted everyone to pinch her in every statement she made, as if she wasn't even convinced on her own speech. The speech really showed weakness. She should've pinched herself really hard before she walked up the stage…

I love the speech mike huckabee gave tonight. It was the only uplifting speech that I heard from the rnc tonight. Sarah's speech was well delivered, but not uplifting. I am for obama due to issues in my life.

someone actually called in to cnn asing what experience is expected from Palin? Wao Obama have proven national experience that have been recently adopted because they are right eg talking to enemies etc and still experience is an issue on Obama. Waoo. Racism is ignorance and still powerfull.
A reformer is not devisive. Tonight she proves the same as Bush.
Obama's mom had him at eighteen and both parents were in love but had to face family crises against race. This boy who no one knew before, 5 months pregnacy no engagement plans. Suddenly he shows up in convention. And people will really fail for this?

I another divider of Americans,when we need a uniter,sorry lady you lost me fast.

I just hope that American voters and swing voters are too
inteligent to fall for the tactical rhetoric being used by the Republican party. Palin's speech really was not all that great. Not only did she fumble, but she just made a string of insulting punches that were baseless. Unlike speeches made at last week's convention, you could tell that this was written for her. What are these people thinking? at least Obama has been a nationally spoken name for some years. I live in New Jersey, and just heard of her a week ago. Apparently McCain did not know her much longer. This crap about lack of experience is a joke coming from a party that elected an actor, (Reagan) as president. Giuliani's big "leading in time of crisis" came while he was in office, he didn't do anything that anyone else would not have done in the same position. Nobody has experience before they just get in and do it. For all the experience the republicans tout, they have done little with it but make but bad decisions. Palin is in no position to belittle Obama's experience, that makes a rediculous juxtaposition for her. Her political beliefs are contradictory, and that makes her a hypocrite. Rather than trying to serve the country at this juncture in her life, she needs to focus on her family. I am a woman, it's not a matter of questioning a woman about balancing family and work. Her children have only one mother, and she should have been governing her home life, because a 17 year old, daughter who is an unwed mother could have used better governing. Again more hypocricy from the republicans. And by the way, did anyone notice the interesting footage of the Republican Convention of the close ups of the faces of Palin's daughter and her boyfriend? he had that "this is a scam look" all over his face. Also, the glance they gave McCain's wife was interesting everytime she was rubbing the baby's head for the fake "isn't this sweet photo opportunity." Phony is what all of this portrayed, in my opinion. I also noticed the way Palin's husband did not exactly exude that look of "brimming over with joy and pride" on his face either. Their body language and posturing does not portray a unified, loving couple. He is always off in the background just barely cracking a smile, and they just don't seem like a "powerhouse of inteligence" couple in the way that the democratic couples do.The democrats need to take the gloves off, and come to the dinner hungry, with sharp teeth. Yes, Sara Palin often shouted like an angry cheerleader at a pep rally, yes, in a high pitched, shrill voice. I am a woman, and I find her voice to be shrill and annoying. There is no need to find that description to be demeaning to women. Palin's voice is shrill– plain and simple.

Poor Dims. The "nicey nice" approach didn't work. Now, what are they to do?

HA HA HA.

Delivers attacks and hypocrisy like her fellow republicans.

I thought she was concerned about the issues.

It's the economy stupid!!!

Let us all make the GOP happy and get our 17 year old daughters pregnant. After all, the GOP has God and morals on their side and if it is now ok for the GOP then it must be ok for God. And then after the babies are born, let us never help them again. Don't give them a good education, health care, jobs, or social security. Just send them off to die in war. That is the true way of the GOP! Pro-life for 9 months and then...hey, you're on your own!!!

The Truth Hurts the Chosen One: Community Organizer as noble a role as it may be is NOT a key skill set for the next President of the US.
Your 15 minutes of fame are almost up, Senator Obama.

McCain/Palin '08

I am so over both parties at this point. In my opinion as voters it is now choosing the lesser of two evils. Its all talk and no action by both parties. I feel like I am back in high school and we are voting for Homecoming Queen and King. Democrats plan is unrealistic. Republicans don't have a plan. In four years, I believe that China will have purchased the United States in exchange for the debt that we owe.
Go China '12

People wake up. McCain just may win this thing with Palin in his ticket. Most viewers could care less about what the Obama supporters on this site think. At least this woman is not a victim and stood up to all the crap being throw in her direction. I will not vote McCain and have serious problems with Obama, but this woman is tough and principled. Can anyone say Obama is principled? She's a true conservative that may well win this thing for McCain. you guys need to wake up and get rid of the unity trip. That a pipe dream.

I can't believe how sick supporters of John McCain are. How stupid can Americans be to vote them into power after GWB?

Mr. Gergen, did you mean that imply that all of the "girls next door" look just like Sarah Palin? I hope not because the "girl next door" to me is Black and a Democrat. Furthermore, I beleive Palin's speech writer "opened" all personal attack doors for her and that she became "fair game" for the Dems.

she is great, she will play well in suburbia with professional women and stay at home moms. in no way do i think she relate only to rural america she is connecting well with working professional moms.hillary supporters will not connect with her and vice versa. we are not one large block of XX stereotypical voting.

Sarah Palin is one sick chick. Some referred to her speech as "sarcastic and shrill," but that is putting it far too mildly. It was downright dishonest and sleazy–a pack of carefully crafted Republican lies dressed up in a pretty little post-partum package. I'd call it Karl Rove with lipstick, and with a little touch of Reagan's con-artistry and Marie Osmond's Barbie doll veneer. At this rate we'll have four more years of Republican sleazeballs "taking on Washington" lobbyists by cutting more corporate taxes and finally fulfilling Dick Cheney's longstanding goal of drilling in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge. And, could David Gergen and David Brooks please explain to us how John McCain's dropping bombs and napalm on Vietnamese villages constitutes "heroism"?

if Sarah Palin is like the girl nex door, I am sure glad she is not my next door neighbor. She is for killing Polar bears and shoots wolves herself from a helicoper. Thank God my neighbor isn't crazy like she is. She can't hold a candle to Obama in respect to experience and abiliy o lead the country. I am so afraid for his country should she ever became President. Also I fail to see how being a POW quialifies one to be President.

Republicans preach that they don't want the government to bail out poor people. Well, community organizing is about showing poor folks how to do for themselves. 'This is not something to be disrespected or laughed about.

By the way – stop ignoring his 6 years as state senator and 4 years of US senate work. Only in America can a black man get so blatantly denigrated and it be socially acceptable. Sen. Obama has broken the barrier – has made history – and you're trying to take this away from us. However, you republicans remind us everyday what an amazing feat it has been for a black man to be so successful

Dear Carl from MI:

You need to get your TV fixed.

The viewers/listeners to the Palin VP speech (she accepted, but has not been nominated so her acceptance is mute) observed a wolf in sheeps clothing. Reports emerging from her home town, Wasilla, Alaska, show a mean spirited controlling person who demands her way. Palin's speech, as written for her, was well rehearsed with a reasonable delivery, however it lacked substance. John McCain has doomed his candidacy with his choice who had the audacity to insult the media; Dumb for her team, Excellent for the opposition.

I beg to disagree. My take from her speech is that it compares with Rudy Gulliani's, which I thought was nothing else but cheap lies and insults directed against Obama.

The GOP has just shown what it is all about.

Fear, lies, hate, division, hypocrisy and just plain out and out lack of intelligence.

The whole night went by with not a mention of what they plan on doing nor how.

You know it is fascinating. How in the world can people think that anything that anyone of the speakers talked about makes an iota of difference in their lives? How blind?

Peace.

I wonder if CNN thinks this is important to post?!?
And 4. This is a woman who puts a job before her child. We all heard and see that she has a special needs INFANT. Instead of parading your son around at this hour in such a loud atmosphere, mom, maybe next time can you forget about your personal agenda and look out for the needs of your child and keep him home with a BABYSITTER!! And dad, did you not see you little girl wiping her spit and poking at your drugged up, i mean sleeping child. How, dad, do you plan to care for your children while your wife is at work, when you have shown the world that your judgement is a little off to have a little kid watching your special needs infant in such a manner. Can I repeat INFANT. Is there a Child Protective Services in Alaska or is this not considered neglectful parenting. Will the repugs just blow this all off as being cute?!?

It's obvious to me from watching the last two nights of the Republican convention what the Mc Cain campaign's game plan is: Circling the wagons, and resurrecting the usual boogeymen (if you'll permit me to mix my metaphors).
Instead of presenting a plan to heal our sick economy, Mc Cain intends to go back to Bush's base, the small town Evangelical, and say "I am now one of you, so put me into office"; no actual proposals, just using the tired old "tax and spend" charge; no plan to deal with the crazies in the Middle East, just scare tactics (I'm waiting for the Terrorist Threat-O-Meter to go up a color or two for no good reason a couple of weeks before the election...just watch and see if it doesn't!!).
I was appalled at the way Gov. Palin grabbed her poor Downs' Syndrome son after her speech and displayed him against her blouse like a brooch, and how just a few days ago her secretly-pregnant teen daughter was carrying her little brother and his blanket on stage in an attempt to hide her pregnancy, and tonight she's on stage in a maternity dress holding hands with her boyfriend (poor guy looked like a deer caught in the headlights)....it seems that being able to reproduce is a matter of pride, and that Republicans are still willing to come clean only after they're caught.
God help us if the Republican ticket wins...it won't be four more years of the same...it will be four excruciating years after 8 dreadful years.

I no longer need to read the angry hateful comments from Obama supporters on these posts on CNN.

Thank God!

We now know who is going to win in November.

McCain/Palin 08.

Sarah Palin (aka barracuda/pitt bull) , tonight, gave Joe Biden permission to take the gloves off in the vice-presidential debates.

What the hell does Gergen know about suburban America?

The same Republican venom filled propaganda loaded with falsehoods. Not one new idea or plan to fix something just hate filled jabs and no substance...nothing new from these people.

Ahh! We`ve heard so much of the same from the republican party over and over and over again. Same scary stuff. At least Mitt Romney was right enough to list out all the wrongs with the U.S economy, admitting thereby, the woes of having a republican in the white house. The guys are robots and they lie and really dought themselves at the same time! No no, not this time. We say ENOUGH!

Sad Angry Woman....

" don't want a hockey mom for a VP. I want an experienced and knowledgeable person that can interact with heads of states and act like a head of state here at home. I want someone who acts Presidential…"

Then you just disqualified Barack!!

Senator Palin came across as an angry woman and did not explain to Americans why she and Senator McCain were a better choice. Palin seemed to mimic the rhetoric already being said and I expected her to share more policies, what inpires her and why she was the best pick for VP. Well, that may have been asking for much since she spent most of her time making quips.

Hit a home run. Face it, the Republicans weren't fired up about this election. First order of business to win the election, have to get the faithful excited. She did it. She made me chuckle. A lapsed Republican at least roused from my nap.

Racing home to see Palin's speech tonight, I listened to Giuliani on NPR with a sick feeling. He was mean, and folks were laughing. He was sarcastic, and folks were cheering. He mocked. I especially hate that.
That's when I first heard the rips at "Community Organizer."

Palin was worse. She milked that new hideous talking point through her entire speech. It was as if the world had turned upside down in a week. Suddenly the lofty principles of serving your community and fellow man were something to be mocked. That's even leaving aside for now the ridiculousness, in general, of minimizing what Obama has done/does/inspires others to do.

The people I know who serve their communities in "organizing" capacities are some of the most caring, selfless, humanitarian people I know. My opinion of Palin and the Republicans has sunk with my heart, as I watched thousands cheer this snide woman on, and TV Talking Heads praised her for a "great" speech.

She didn't really deliver at all. I watched her speech... it was lame and lifeless. She's in WAY OVER HER HEAD!! She obviously didn't even write the speech... it was written for her with all the same talking points all the Republicans have been recycling. She was uninspiring and unprofessional.

She said things that weren't true, many half-truths, and left out lots of facts and inserted opinions instead. She acted like a hockey mom.

I don't want a hockey mom for a VP. I want an experienced and knowledgeable person that can interact with heads of states and act like a head of state here at home. I want someone who acts Presidential... not someone who I'd want to have a beer with and not someone I'd want to watch a hockey game with.

I want someone who can take command of our country and be Commander-in-Chief at a moment’s notice, not someone who will have to have OJT and be schooled in the fine art of Constitutional Law and Foreign Policy. She only has about 5 minutes worth of the necessary experience to perform the job of VP. She doesn't even KNOW WHAT OUR VP DOES!!!!

We only have two candidates that fit that bill right now: Obama/Biden!!

WAKE UP, AMERICA!!! VOTE SMART.... NOT SENILE!!!!

Obama has the judgement, Biden has the experience, mccain got it wrong, and palin is a nut.

Barrack Obama don't have a pregnant unmarried daughter! Barrack Obama attended and graduated from IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL. Sure he's just a "community organizer" but I'm sure his former students appreciate him more than ever.

Republicans are so hypocrites. Sarah Palin's speech is boring and no substance. By the way, everything is a fair game in politics...candidates and their family. Sarah Palin's name is currently involves in controversy. She should just withdraw her name because Hillary supporters are no dummies!

Palin speech tonight was divisive, not uniting. It played well with GOP supporters and provided a bunch of one-liners and sarcastic jabs at Obama. But who cares? Anyone can make fun of someone when they are not there to defend themselves. Palin's rhetoric and tone was disheartening from an independent point of view. Why not tell us what you are going to do in office, or who you are? Lets not poke fun and put down the other candidate and do so with humor and sarcasm and no girth and fact. Palin is a strong politician, with a strong voice, but use it by promoting unity and addressing specific issues, not by bashing and mocking the left. Her record as governor and ideas for the future were rarely heard throughout the speech and often factually incorrect. I am really saddened by the politics of tonight.

Yeah, she delivered her pregnant unmarried 17 year old and the little boy who got her 17 year old pregnant as an example of how you manage your family.

Delivers bile, you mean. What, exactly, gives her the right to belittle Obama's activities as a community organizer? Isn't that a noble thing to be? Aren't community-strengthening activities the basis of what makes America great? Oh, right, most Republicans think that loving America only means wearing a flag pin. I'll take someone who actually cares about helping others and building a stronger country over basic, SIMPLISTIC, negative-attack politicians who try to cloak themselves in the guise of "change".

Wow – too bad Palin isn't a Democrat.

I'm frightened at the mere though to of her in office.
Women for Obama-Biden 08

Gergen,

I have some issues with the "thing in particular" that stood out to you.

1. The hockey mom-pitbull joke was not funny, and portraying herself as a tough pit bull will only open the door for Dems to start attacking. She stands more to lose from this–with the attacks–than she does to gain–by appearing to be tough.

2. I don't know of any "girl next door" that I would describe as a pit bull. But she does have that family woman appeal to her, so I agree with you on this one.

3. Confidence and energy do not provide substantiveness. That is just show. Content, and remarks on the real issues facing America provide substantiveness.

Finally,

How could you neglect to mention how wrong it is for a former Mayor and Governor to ridicule community organizing? This country wouldn't be what it is if not for community organizers. How can Obama be accused of elitism when the GOP issue statements like this?

i found this women's tv presense horrific, insincre, and i think she will be an extremely polarizing figure

She offered nothing of substance. No policy. No plan for moving forward.

She did promise to have the back of parents with special needs children. How does she plan to do that when her party wants small government and privatization of everything under the sun?

She just showed her claws and ready to fight. Mocking a community organizer? Not a president material!

To me she gave a generic, partisan speech. Most of it did not seem it was written specifically for her, but rather for any nominee that might have been chosen. This is the same Republican party I have seen for years. I thought John McCain was supposed to be ushering in change.

If Republicans have their private convention, she probably did a heck of a job motivating the base. However, this is aired nationally, and it just revealed the ugliness of their party – all attacks and nothing to offer.

And of course, she lies from day one, and these lies will be revealed soon enough.

And to mock community organizers? That's a poor move. Community organizers, let show Sarah Palin what we can do by deliver Obama/Biden to the White House. Republicans don't get it. It's not about Obama, it's about us.

She delivered alright, the same partisan rhetoric that has left Washington ineffective for the past eight years.

While the Democrats sought common ground during their campaign and laid out their agenda on the economy, we have heard nothing but days of extreme partisanship, attacks, fear mongering, POW, and 9/11 from the Republicans.

Mr. Gergen, I usually respect your comments, but you got this one wrong. This woman cannot even speak effectively. She was smacking during her entire speech. I am a Democrat and I was willing to give this woman the benefit of the doubt.

I made my children watch the Democratic convention, so it's only fair that I make them watch the Republican convention. My 21 year old daughter said she was appalled that a woman would talk about someone in this manner and stop watching the speech. My 16 year old told me this seemed like a KKK convention and said he would rather not get the extra points for reporting on the convention.

The only audience that this kind of talk appeal to are Republicans that fooled to believe the Republicans have their best interest at heart. Did John McCain threat all of the CNN correspondent with death. You all have surely changed since Campbell's interview with Tucker Bounds.

There was no need for the Democratic Convention. The Republic Convention is doing the job for the Democratic. I can't wait for the polls.

I am no longer afraid of terrorist. I am afraid of the cashier at the grocery store and gas station when I buy grocery and gas.

she is a disgrace to women and mothers
she is ranchy to the core

Here's an idea: Instead of personal attacks on Obama, why can't McCain and Palin focus on the issues?? Yes, the issues, why should we vote for you? I haven't heard a single thing on the economy. Does that mean they plan on leaving things the way they are now?? Oh, yeah, that's right, McCain and Palin haven't got a clue about the economy. No experience, no insights, McCain even admited a while back he didn't have a clue.
Palin you are a terrible role model! Go back home and take care of your family, that's the Americans you should really be focusing on!

THEY ARE RUNNING SCARED. AMERICAN KNOWS THE TRUTH. ALL THEY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IS THE WAR AND THAT WE ARE WINING. WHEN SARAH PALIN SON COMES BACK IN A BOX I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT SHE SAYS THEN. LETS SEE IF SEE SAYS THAT WE ARE WINNING. PLEASE AMERCIAN THINK THINK CHANGE...... 8 IS ENOUGH THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT LIKE BUSH BUT THEY SOUND JUST LIKE HIM.

Palin delivers what. It sure wasn't any policies or plans for the future because they don't have any. All they can do is attack and tear someone else down because they don't have a plan to run on. How does these so called Mavericks plan to shake up Washington. Especially Palin, she doesn't even know the first thing about Washington. Mccain looked older than ever and the question still stand. "Is Palin ready to lead.' we heard enough speeches and tough talk, the bottom line is what are they going to do to turn the economy around. Republicans are all attack and no solutions the only solutions they have are more of the same.

I thought the speeches tonight were full of bitterness and anger, but with no substance to explain that anger. The best they could do is blame the state of the government, as they made it, over the last 8 years.

Never would I vote for this excuse of a human.

This wasn't a HAIL TO JOHN evening, it was a hail storm that damaged the party - smashing a could be good corn crop- putting the corn flat on the ground, destroyed. Sarah COULD have brought fresh air, and I had hopes for her, but it is obvious, this hail storm isn't good for the republicans.

She delivered? She delivered what? A string of 5th grade insults? Where is her stance on the issues and what matters to me. And what is up with distorting her opponents record and mocking his service as a community organizer. That is something that I value and admire. Someone willing to get in the trenches and do the things that matter when no one else wants to. I am disgusted with the GOP. To think I voted for Bush in the last election. Well....I won't be voting for him in this one. This is a party so desperate that it has become bitter and hateful and clings to religion as if it really cared about it. I was starting to have doubts about choosing Obama regarding his stance on abortion and gay marriage/civil unions but they have been vaporized by this incendiary speech. NO MCCAIN, NO WAY, NO HOW!

she attacked "liberals" in one breath and then said we must come together, regardless of politics in the next breath.

Suburban America likes her! She is to the point, and stand up for herself and others that she believes. No more to be said.

With Gergen and Crowley giving good, unbiased, opinions why does CNN need any other pundit?

Thanks David. It's nice to see a PROFESSIONAL journalist in the age of fast news.

What a fantastic speech! She really fought back against all the snobbery against her and against those who tried to portray her as a hick. She's nobody's fool. Action speaks louder than words and she's a woman of action. She also made some compelling arguments in favor of McCain and exposing the risk of electing Obama. Powerful stuff!

she gave a great bio, POW and attack speech...what would you expect, they spent hours preparing her...yet through all of the attacks what did she say about the issues? nothing

There was a state guv'nor named Palin
Who saw her candidate failin'
She stepped into the VP breach
Can "prez" be far out of reach?
Let's hope John McCain isn't ailin!

Boy she was good, lets see how she does in the debates. Hey and I'm for Obama.

Governor Palin not only delivered, she hit the ball out of the park. The speech was amazing, and she proved tonight that she won't be bullied by the media or the political elite on the left. She should style, sincerity, and a toughness that topped every speech I've heard during this election. Of course, 95% of the comments submitted to CNN will trash the speech, because most of CNN's readers/viewers are flaming liberals, but Gov. Palin spoke the heartland of American on Wednesday night, and did so effectively.

Palin may talk a good game, but she has not seen anything yet. She is has the luxury of being in a Republican bubble for now, but wait until she meets the real world in the form of Hillary and Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and the millions of Americans who are completely disollutioned by the failures of the Republican Party, her extreme stance on everything from individual freedom to education, and the erratic behaviour of John McCain.

No Way, No How, No McCain/Palin.

Yes! We! Can!

Obama/Biden '08

She delivered a bunch of low punches, anybody can do that?? But what she did not do is introduce herself as a person who can relate to working moms, her speech was scripted with decisive punches at Obama. She showed all of us she can be a hard hitting woman. That was the easy part, or should I say the milk. Where's the beef?

This was not a "great speech" like the CNN pundits like to call it. All I heard was this whiney voiced woman read off a tyrade of attacks. It was really ugly. I had to turn away a couple of times because I couldn't stand to hear it. Where was the plan to lead this country into a different direction? What about the economy? Just bash, mock, bash, mock. Horrible speech.

Mrs Palin don't forget that Jesus was a community organizer

AND OBAMA AND BIDEN WERE NOT TOUGH ON MCCAIN?

GIVE ME A BREAK

she's a true right wing Republican..attack...attack..attack with very little talk about the issues. Lots of red meat there for sure. Perhaps the GOP, as mean as they are, have something. All the mean folks like Cheney, Rove, Limbaugh, seem to prosper. But when the Dems go mean it's just considered unacceptable. Yet the GOP seems to be able to pull it off. I hope if they go after her since she's taken the gloves off we won't hear the cries of sexism anymore though. I'd still take Michelle Obama over her in a good cat fight .

Sarah the last laugh laugh best. If she and the media thinks that the American people are so dumb and believe her rederick ha! Your conservative values is full of crap. I rather take a hooker from Pahrump values before I take hers and her family. Everyone is saying that they should lay off her because its sexist. Well, I didn't see the same Love given to Senator Clinton. Repbulicans are such bigots and hyprocites. At first I taught maybe McCain might not be so bad. But its seems for power they would do and say anything as if we the people are so dumb. Thank goodness for internet technology. And also, I beginning to see more Religion play into politics. Wow is this America. We are definetely on a sinking ship. We were undecided, but after McCain and his leaders desperation to win. And their sorry pick, they have not convince nor sway us. So I guess Obama/Biden 2008 here we come.

Dr. Laura,

I am aghast with the McCain VP selection. As a voting Conservative Republican, the proud mother of children that include a soldier and an airman (my soldier is deployed), and who is raising 3 additional children 13 and 6 year-old twins who have various disabilities, HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU LEAVE A DISABLED INFANT TO GO BACK TO WORK THE THIRD DAY, when you do NOT absolutely have to????? What kind of serious mother does that? She said her family came first. SHE LIED. I am so totally outraged with this I could scream. Did we want to win so badly that we would absolutely destroy the values of HOME, motherhood, family values? I am sickened by it all. Soccer mom? Unbelievable. Even the dad wasn't holding the baby. The child was carrying the baby. I'm sorry, was I foolish enough to have accepted such a nomination, I would have been carrying my baby. I think she is emotionally detached from the baby, personally.

God Save America from itself and the craziness we do.

The pitbull stance won't work... Biden will eat her lunch!

All she did was attack Obama...thats it. Nothing special, did what she was supposed to to help solidify their base and thats all. If you think her sppech was even in the same ballpark as Obama you are out of your head....and I don't care what party you are for..Obama's was the best speech by a poitician since John F. Kennedy and his had substance, full of hope and a promise. Hers was nothing more than jabs ...oh and another thing...Obama wrote his speech HIMSELF!!! She had it written for her then had to be coached how to read it!

This country has gone nuts! This is not a gender contest or a beauty contest! This country is in a crisis! I think Ms. Palin's speech sounded more like a person running for PTA vice-president rather than vice president of the USA. Her speech was an attack on character rather than issues. This country should be focusing on getting a president and vice president that have the ability to govern a very troubled country, not a "girl next door" like you indicated, a soccer mom, a beauty contestant, or mere wife and mother. This woman's education and experience are an insult to women, Mrs. Clinton in particular, and this country as a whole, to suggest she is qualified for vice president of the USA. I see Ms. Palin as a neglectful mother driven by ambition. McCain and all the Republican party should be ashamed!

Hello to all, first I would like to start off by saying I was a die heart Hillary fan, but now I am unsure voter but I will say that gov. Palin is a woman and I would love to see a women in office but I will not be tricked by the Republican party and I hope that other Hillary supporters will be smarter then that. So now I will be an OBAMA fan thanks Hillary.

nice speech... written by same people who designed the attacks on McCain in his bid against George Bush. Humm hiring the same guy that smeared you! interesting...

Palin drew the line in the sand, so she can't scream someone is being sexist if the Democrats hit her hard right back. Unless she has a double standard, she should take exactly what she dishes out.

She can be engaging, funny, sarcastic, lie on command and just generally draw down the whole tone of the dialog. I contrast the mocking sarcasm as lacking in content as the people delivering it are full of IT I've been listening to all this evening with what was for the most part solution oriented content dialog from our democratic Americans last week.

The fig leaf of mature dialog extended throughout Barack Obama's campaign has been repeatedly dismissed, ridiculed and taken as a sign of weakness and yet... the campaign continues to pick it up and extend it. There must be a God in heaven if this campaign wins in November – and it will – because that sort of behavior is not that of a dog-eat-dog, God-less universe.

The hypocracy of the republican party compounds itself every day. As a Christian and long-time republican/independent who is voting for Barack Obama I am dismayed and outraged at the betrayal of what are basic, civilized values that we should be able to take for granted in our society because SOMEBODY should be telling us when somebody is LYING to the nation but instead we find ourselves INDIVIDUALLY fighting for them all over again. Can't we even get a basic value like telling the truth right? And let's not hear the trite, mindless response, "What is truth?" to dismiss what we should all be able to expect.

If only she told the truth

Palin came out with her socker mom smile on and did't say nothing,
If McCCain thinks that women will fall for her Bull he's crazier than I thought. Now Mrs. Socker Mom needs to know that if she wants to play in the big league she better be ready to get her feelings hurt more than once. If she can dish it I hope she's can take it.

She really needs to take care of her kids one pregant and the other one spitting on the baby's head come on. They put them in the spot light and then they say hay the family is off limits come on get real I'm a woman and a mother and we all know something is wrong with this picture. Next all we will hear is that we are attacking the good old soccer mom.

Where is the economic plan ?

this is one bitter repuklin convention. obama helped her when the media was against her. this is not what we want in a vice pick a pitbull. i lost my job food is high gas is hight what a about the people. this was an insult to me as a community orgazater. we are about our community and the people. she should of bash bush

Palin is not like any one I know, She is as mean as they get. Snotty like a 14 year old girl. Snippy in a mean spirited way. Mean in her manner. Not anyone an American would like having representing them.
I have no idea what she is capable of but I know she could skin you alive. Happy thought.

AND her remarks were untrue and the ones about herself were QUITE stretching the truth. Give us a break will you? She admitted just weeks ago she doesn't follow the war, didn't know what a VP does...and she's an elected official???? Like any "executive" it's your BUSINESS to know...and someone else, it was VERY obvious, wrote the speech for her.

President???? And here I thought McCain was nominated. So is she the Cheney who will dictate what McCain's supposed to do? What kind of "President she might be"????? She's the VP...and the comparison is NOT Obama it's VP Joe Biden. COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES!

Reminder: Palin and Biden are VP. THAT'S the comparison and Palin doesn't even come close. Or have you killed McCain already?

Her speech was dull and boring, delivered with a nasal quality that was frankly grating. She actually came across as snide and condescending when she went on the attack.

Compared to Senator Clinton or Michelle Obama, she was a distant third.

For someone who is not a washington insider Sarah palin sure knowes how to work the room ,Let,s see how she does with out a speech also it should be fair game when you parade a 17 year old unwed mother in front ofthe media.

I was appalled at how she just hurled the insults, I was waiting to like her!! It didn't happen.....I finally turned the TV off disgusted. There was positive CHANGE message. That speech was nothing more than what we have listening to........disappointing!!

And the bulldog in lipstick better not accuse anyone of being sexist..

I heard alot of distortions and personal attacks. I heard absolutely nothing of substance regarding small problems like the 45 million americans without health insurance who are one slip in the shower away from disaster! Sadly, tonight was more of the same. Kudos to Governor Palin for her ability to read a speech written for her by others. Now she must answer for her record which definitely places her extreme ideological views before the country including her failed attempt to remove books from the library because she did not approve of them. When the librarian refused to obey the directive she was fired. Only the threat of a recall caused her to back off. How about that bridge to nowhere: it wasn't built but she made sure to keep the earmark money instead of returning it. She has other problems involving corruption and her own personal 'old boy' network.

Now that speech was just down right ugly. I was ashamed that she would give her first impression of nothing but bashing. This is why this country is so divided with all of the hatred and bashing each other. The speech gave no solutions / substance on what problems we are having. McCain is just using this woman as an ATTACK DOG. I have a special needs child. I would never politically exploit this developmental disabilities to get ahead. Why all of a sudden Special Needs is a topic now. That was mean. She can't reach out to me with that. She has nannies to care for her child. I have myself and my husband to care for our child. So don't think that because your child has down syndrome you can make it better for all parents that have special needs in their family. That really hurt my feelings. They will not get my vote just because of this exploitation.

If she wants to run off at the mouth she better not cry sexism when we give it back to her.

I just need to laugh at point number 2. I would think POTUS and VP positions should be held by the most qualified and intelligent citizens in the nation, NOT the girl next door. The more I watch the spin repubublicans try to give this shameful VP pick, the more I feel I'm watching a really bad ripoff of American Idol.

God help us if McWar and that polar-bear-hating-global-warming-is-a-myth-iraq-was-a-mission-from-God-abstinence-only-education nut Palin get elected

I look at the difference between the Dem convention VERSUS the Republican conventio.

The Dems had REAL EMOTION. I saw people in tears!!! The Republicans were just NASTY!!!

Republicans needs to apoligize to AMerica for the last 8 years!!! Republicans don't get it......ITS ABOUT THE ISSUES!!! None of the sarcastic comments will do anything for America. NOTHING!!!

Republicans were caught with a hot mic. They admited that Palin being picked was just a GIMMICK!!! That's all we need after 8 years of this. Just another gimmick!

Story about hockey moms (who cares)
POW (thankful for his service) 40 YEARS AGO
SHE SAID NOTHING ABOUT HELPING THE COUNTRY SHE TALK ABOUT OBAMA!!!
STOP ATTACKING AND START TALKING ABOUT YOUR POLICIES.

Under her 22 months of leadership, the Alaskan operating budget has risen 6%, twice the rate of inflation. Also the state legislators are part timers. 90 day session a year. And in 2008 it took, under Pali's leadership and keen executive abilities 135 days to get the $4.3B budget in. She spent $7 million dollars per man woman and child in Alaska, where dose your state rate? As a fiscal conservative the Gov. only vetoed $4.5m out of the $4.3B dollar budget. And now she has the executive experience to preside over the u.s. congress?
As a candidate, Palin's experiences are being misrepresented and blown way-out of proportion, so to appear to be qualified the job of V.P. My counties elected executive works full time, with the county council, and contains a greater population than the state of Alaska, and a bigger budget. Palin's accomplishments, while admirable at times, are easily dwarfed by most other states and states governorships and responsibility.

Where are all the A grades?? My kids want to know. You pundits were so quick to issue top scores to the Dems and "F" grades when McCain chose Palin. But where is the accountability? Beluga "Caviar Man" needs to be set straight for his "F" grade or there are a whole bunch of up and coming voters who will forever question CNN's impartiality. Don't think your comments are going unnoticed. When you live by the grade you die by it.

Governor Palin is a refreshing candidate who seems to have the courage and integrity to stand up for what is right regardless of the status quo or lack of support by those who are less courageous.

I hope she succeeds! God Bless!

I wish you people in the national media would STOP kissing her butt. The woman is a great choice for a GOP VP– she's a crook and a blatant liar.

The evidence against her regarding abuse of power and misappropriation of funds is piling up by the hour, and you all just turn a blind eye. OK, maybe somebody gets lucky and leaves a mic on– THEN we hear what you really have to say about her.

I realize that you are journalists. But you are also Americans. Ask the hard questions, and stop sniveling around her! It's disgusting and insulting to the American people.

what does a community organizer do?
i know they grt paid by the government grants that should be going to poor people.

delivers what ! what did she say thats was that moving it was Obama bash and Mcbush praise how original

Govenor Palin has made her moment in history tonight, however needs some 101 in history in regards to the women that have ran for President of the U.S., Let us remind Govenor Palin that Shirley Chisholm was the first woman to bid for Democratic President in 1972. She never made mention of Shirley Chisholm in her thanks to women that had ran for President or Vice President in her speech prior to speaking tonight. It would be nice for CNN and others to remember and acknowledge this moment of history. No disrespect Ms. Palin learn your history.

Thanks!
Mrs. Brenda Kirk

she was (is) a one-trick pony, this palin. insults and sarcastic remarks are not the politics of change, and not what this country needs.

Just a few observations:
1. Palin's speech would have been great for standup on Saturday Night Live (Tina Fey); however, that tone is poorly received across large parts of America.
2. She can read well, but a journalism and communications major from the University of Idaho? This makes her less qualified for VP than most of the CNN commentators.
3. How dare McCain place the responsibility of a VP in the hands of a journalism and communications major from the University of Idaho.
4. How dare Palin accepts the VP selection knowing full well her lack of gravitas in at least ONE the following: national defense, law and government, economics, public policy, etc...
5. McCain/Palin might be the least smart Pres/VP in the history of this country. This is the most aggregious continuation of the Bush/Chaney administration. Individuals who can't synthesize large volumes of information, synthesize it reasonably and make prudent decisions will only continue our great nation's hemorrhage toward a mediocrity.

"Well-crafted speech". Gergen acts as if she actually wrote this thing. All she demonstrated is an ability to read a teleprompter in a loud voice.

I found objectionable the several insulting comments about Obama. He and Biden have treated her so far with the utmost respect.

The McCain campaign has not demonstrated she has any significant experience which would qualify her to be vice president. Mayor of Wasilla!! James Carville held up a photograph of the Wasilla city hall yesterday saying it looked like a bait shop in south Louisiana.

More 'us' versus 'them.' More division. More rewriting facts to pander to supporters. Is this the only way they know how to win?

This is not a Reese Witherspoon movie where the spunky, unqualified girl saves the day...our problems are more serious than this.

Eight years ago we made a big mistake and our families are paying for it today..... we won't make that mistake again.

Palin can throw a punch....let's see if she can take one. She obviously has a lot more to her story which is why her strategists are trying to bully the press into backing off.

And the attack on Community Organizers from this wanna-be was a real low point, although it is obvious she is very comfortable in the mud. She's probably spent a lot of time there.

I wonder if Mccain will pay her less than other vp's? Since you know he voted against equal pay?

She should do stand-up.

David: I look forward to your insightful commentary on nights like this but tonight I think your commens following Gov. Palin's speech were off the mark. I had expected to like her after this speech but instead found her to be cynical and arrogant especially in light of her thin resume. The concern I have had about her since McCain introduced her as his running mate was that she doesn't know what she doesn't know and the sarcastic tone she used tonight doubly underscored for me that those concerns are well founded. I think the CNN panel tonight got caught up in the enthusiasm of the very friendly crowd. However, I find it hard to believe that average folks at home found her delivery as appealing. Also, unlike the women on the panel (whose views I also appreciate hearing), as a woman I was not moved by her family introduction (although I was touched by her little girl tidying up the baby's hair). Rather, as a Mom with a troubled teen I am put off that she would expose her pregnant daughter to world wide scrutiny. I have a feeling the Dems are going to win the White House this year and I think come February the media is going to scratch its head and wonder what they were thinking being so generous to this Republican campaign that so far has been incredibly lousy.

Let's remember we live in a country that elected George Bush TWICE (well once fer sure and once w/ the help of a conservative Supreme Court) and revels in American Idol and Dancing With the Stars along with 50 other "reality" shows. The Republicans have out-Paris-Hiltoned the Democrats with Sarah Palin. Between McCain's acclamation of the Rove innuendo strategy and the Obama/Biden "high road" of campaigning, the Republicans have the American "idiots" by the proverbials and, consequently, the white house. I have NO confidence in the American public's discernment –NONE! To paraphase the London Daily Mirror after the 2004 election: "How can 52 million Americans (STILL!) be so stupid!" God knows, but he's apparently not telling... Gotta give McCain credit - he has "us" figured out.

I wonder why her attacks seem personal to you, after all the attack dogs of the MSM have been attacking her and her family for the last few days. Maybe if you all had stayed away from her family she might have stayed away from the personal attacks.

It's sickening to see them cart around the baby like it's a prop. He should have been in bed.

Shameful.

She is fantastic and I trust her!

She delivers children. The Palin Bunch!

Delivered what? Competition for the vitorl found on television wrestling shows? What a waste of the talents of an obviously bright individual who could be strong in her faith and not come across as the school yard bully in heels.

I'm just curious, how is she such a great governor and half the people in Alaska don't have water or heat? Also their greatest revenue is oil profits. What about the rest of America? Will Alaska share it's profits with other Americans? Will gas prices go down because we can now have more of Alaska's oil. By the way, I saw her on Glen Beck a few months ago. She said that we should tap the oil reserves then. She must have changed her mind about that tonight. Boy those Republicans, always changing their minds. Like McCain changing his mind on the MLK holiday. Hhhhmmmm

I am not a person who gets angry often but Palin is not a woman I would vote for. When Palin's daughter was attacked by the press Obama stood up for her. But tonight Palin attacked both Obama and his wife in her speech. That lacked integrity. She will do anything the Republican Party requires of her including attacking someone who chose not to attack her and dragging her daughter’s boy friend out to be trotted around like a pony.

Obama bashing not going to get it done. She wants to shake up washington what does that say about their own party the last 8 years? I'm not willing to take another risk that they will get it right this time.

Mr. Gergen her talk was same old mudslinging and small town politician bantering. This was disgraceful and insulting – outright scary. I can see a world war in McCain/Palin regime. Someone who will win a war over election is a dictator. People's will has to be respected in a democracy. I mean her gestures scared the heck out of me.

i don't understand MSM praise o Sarah Palin's speech tonight.

Did we watch different speeches?

were expectations set so low that her speech gets such high marks?

i think she was just blah. "hockey mom" speech, she didn't sound convincing about bringing change, just slogans.

For some reason CNN spokespersons keep comparing the Palin situation to the movie American President with Anette Bening. The true movie comparison should be to The Contender with Joan Allen.

We should have a rough and tumble race down the stretch Mr. Gergen. Mrs. Palin took the first shot ;so much for reformed politics. I hope Obama and Biden wake up and smell the season and not be fearful of dishing it out to Palin as necessary, reasonable women and men will understand.

Palin didn't do or say anything that was change related as far as the GOP is concerned. Well written speech, but the only thing wrong with it is everything after her life story wasn't her words. She is a puppet for the Mcain/Bush
agenda. Maybe she doesn't fully understand her roll as a puppet, or maybe she does.. After all
that speech is from the GOP play book.

As much as Rudy Giuliani incensed me tonight, there is one thing he said that I completely agree with: it is absolutely wrong to ask, how can Sarah Palin be the Vice-President and a mother of five at the same time?

I would never walk up to any of my female co-workers and ask them, how can they perform their jobs and take care of their children at the same time? That is disgustingly sexist, and it comes from the party that's supposed to be fighting sexism. If Barack Obama could tell you left-wing partisans who ask this question to shut up and refrain from speaking on his behalf, I'm sure he would (and I'm sure you're the same ones who asked, if Hillary can't please her husband, then how can she run the country?).

She sucks. Belittling Obama's community service.Community work is of major importance in building our nation. Being an example and inspiration to young minds is critical. I love the way they attempt to deceive the nation with lies, thinking if they say it enough we'll believe it.
What I find impressive about her is that she's a trailblazer. She's the only candidate to come under investigation after such a short period of time... Might be a GOP Record too.. but I doubt it cause that party breeds snakes and liars (Rumsfeld, Cheney, Rove, Bush... should I continue??)

I did not like it, she has no experience, Miss Hockey Mom. and she has never author a law either. I dont like her. She has no experience, but she is ready...interesting concept

I could only be impressed with the women if she showed enough intelligence to remove herself from the ticket.

President, Vice President, Supreme Court judge – these are jobs for people who have spent most of their adult life preparing for them. No need to be rich, or snobby or elite. But thrust into the role?

She goes on about all her wonderful "choices", but from where I sit she hasn't made any choices. She wants to have it all – no hard choices, just yes to all. Bring on the power trip.

She at one time diminishes both motherhood and politics.

Ok. One more...Does it occur to anyone that has a teen daughetr/son when suddenly confronted with a sex craved teen that blurts the words,"The Vice Presidents daughter can have sex and a baby and the whole country approves, why cant I????????

I am compelled to share my voice and concerns following tonight's speech by Gov. Palin. She was entertaining, pointed and totally inappropriate for Vice-President. Her tone was sarcastic. She is nasty and low, certainly ill-fit for the call of presidential diplomacy.

she still spoke to an all white audience! which isnt the america i live in! not one word about the economy, how to end the war, poverty in america or how to get america back to it glory days. she should be attacked just as she dished it out!! if you run with the big dogs.......sad day to see a national convention with this type of rhetoric of hate! America it will be a sad day here in the US if we elect this ticket of mccain/palin to have four more years of mcbush!

As an independent I had been persuaded to vote for Obama based on his educational credentials and bootstrap image. However, it is now a "fair" fight that America can be proud of. Sarah Palin acquitted herself very well at the Republican convention. She delivered! The tone of her speech and its content made this a real election fight for the well being of America. The McCain – Palin ticket is not just four more years of Bush. These are fighters with an agenda to stand up for America in the Heartland. McCain is one of our most beloved Heroes, and now he has a "pit bull" dog to fight with him, a bull dog that wears lipstick. I always wanted America to have a Maggy Thatcher. I think John McCain found one. I can't wait for the debates. Finally, whoever wins, America will win!

I turned off CNN when Wolf Blitzer said "She hit it out of the park." What park is he referring to - a trailer park? South Park?
This was probably the most nasty, viscous, dishonest speech I have ever seen, with no enlightening substance. As for first careers, it seems that community organizer is a bad thing and beauty queen a good thing?
I do not vote. I have exercised my right to not vote in ten presidential elections, but this speech tonight might just send me over the edge. She made me ashamed to be an American, and the thought of her as Vice President of this country makes me ill.

I found Palin's speech very insulting, just I have felt about most of the mess I heard in the other speeches. I think the whole convention was nothing more than a big Barnyard dance. I'm so tired of listening to Republican politcians attack without dealing with the real issues that are tearing this country apart. Throwing insults out at Obama isn't doing anything to help people get their lives back together. I don't feel the Republican Party can relate to the average person in America because I saw nothing average about the way people acted who were there in attendance. The only thing they keep talking about is McCain's POW days, and how he lead people at a time of war. Those facts are important, but what about NOW. Get real people! Don't be frightened into another 4 years of a downward spiral with the rhetoric of the wealthy.

I find her belief that creationism should be taught in schools scary. Is it just me but didn't the current administration abuse thier power a little bit? Is it just me that they picked a vp CURRENTLY under investigation for abusing power? Her opposition to abortion even in the cases of incest and rape is pretty far right as well. I'm republican and i'll be voting Obama/Biden.

I'm sorry but aware, thoughtful Americans will most likely vote for Obama.

As a Hillary supporter, now behind Obama, I thought that Gov Palin was very articulate in delivering a speech that was tremendously crafted for her. However, I turned off the TV because she was so snide, contrite, and smug throughout her delivery.

Obama/Biden are moving away from the active chasm in America and actively discussing real policies that will ameliorate the economics, energy crises, and education issues in our country while reforming America's image and standing on the international platform.

Governor Palin delivered a good speech and appeared poised this evening. However, it was dripping in sarcasm and made fun of people who work and organize communities. This was surprising since the republican party touts the virtues of faith based and community organizations that do exactly that. Remember the thousand points of light. I was deeply offended by the speech and found that there was no mention of how to improve the economy, ensure healthcare, or deal with the housing crisis. The speech was divisive and served only to widen the chasm that exist in the country today. There was no country first in the speech or at the convention. I sincerely hope the media does not back down on finding the truth on either side. Quit walking on eggshells

lol um no she didnt

The GOP written speech was well crafted to push her over her real experience.
Why would a person with a 4 month old and 4 other children who believe in 'faimly values' abandon all these to start a race for the white house even when there is crises at home. GOP wants to make the election about personal attacks and not the issues facing the voters. Of course they know she will not the able to manage both home and this type of job together effectivley. I am a married woman with 5 children with similar ages and I know what I go through everyday to make sure they are well taken care off. The GOP politicians who are pushing her know the truth but that is secondary until after the election.
I think going after Hillary's voters is less important than her family for now. She has more than enough time once the the children are establshed and old enough to care for themselves.

I think the "jabs" nay complete onslaught her and her family has faced over the past 5 days was vicious and nonstop, hopping from one to the next. Now they will be calling for DNA testing for her child too. That hardly compares with some quid pro quo jabs back. Why are CNN and the Democrats using the "divisive" word nearly every other sentence? What, they extended an olive branch and it got slapped down? Give me a break.

This is not about her, what matters to voters are the issues, bush tax cuts did not help the economy and war on Iraq has not made us any safer! and detaining people in guantanamo without proving their guilt and for so long is not the american way!

I'm also anticipating a bunch of idiot "Republicans are racists", "the only reason one wouldn't vote for Obama is race", etc. It's more simple than that. He's basically a socialist with the most liberal voting record (WHEN he votes) in Congress, and he has very little experience other than performing speeches that others have written. Bring on Colin Powell and I'll vote for him in a heartbeat, as would millions of other people who won't vote for Obama...so much for your "race" excuse.

She did really well tonight. She seemed fierce and a good attack dog. The only problem is she has more executive experience than John Mccain. I wonder if John Mccain is gonna pay her less since she's a woman. Lord knows he voted to.

When will the real the VP nominee come out because I am still waiting, Holed up is it over? because I was waiting to hear about the issues that are hurting American, It seems like they forgot that this election is not about Obama its about the country

Sarah Palin is distinctly out of date, indeed, her appearance and demeanor- a cliche of a high-school beauty queen, although personally appealing for her beauty, however does not evince an intellectual nor evidence of broadly or well educated speaker/thinker. In this regard, she does fit the George Bush image quite neatly or 'nicely' with its original OED meaning of 'foolish'.
As for Guiliani, he simply should have known better for he distorted facts and quite easily slid into actual lying about the Democratic opposition's positions.

I found the entire evening with such spurious speeches to be appallingly downgrading, and condescending to the intelligence of American people.

I think she did a great job, and from the desperate and rambling response of Begala and other liberal commentators, it's clear they feel threatened. Yeah, I wasn't too crazy about the "community organizer" thing but Obama has done his share of those comments as well, and they simply won't be that meaningful down the stretch. What I DO think, however, is that we have a lot of renewed Republican energy as a result of tonight's speeches. Now comes the usual onslaught of idiotic blog comments like "where are the minorities?" (there was PLENTY of diversity in the room), "Obama/Biden are going to cream them in the debates" (wishful/delusional thinking...don't count on it), and the best of all "the polls CAN'T be right since I haven't been polled, and/or they don't poll cell phone users" (well, actually, they do and the polls ARE right). McCain and Palin are VERY viable and EVERY bit as qualified (if not more so) to serve than Obama/Biden.

Last but not least, you think Palin has some issues in her past? Obama had better be EXTREMELY careful...he has WAY more skeletons from Chicago that can and will be brought forward if he's not careful.

Right from the start, I always thought that it would be disasterous for democrats to dismiss her lack of experience. This is just a preview of how tough she can be for the remaining 2 months of the campaign.

If the GOP wins another 4 years, without a doubt, they have Palin to thank!

What makes you think Palin's "personal story is also one that will relate well to people. She has a quality of seeming like the girl next door."?

My family and freinds are not at all comfy with the "small town values" of a bully who cries sexism as the kids trot out on the tarmac for a photo op, makes a great show of embracing her own pregnant teen while denying sex ed to other vulnerable youngsters and cutting funding to unwed mothers who need a place to live because their mom's aren't the Governor.

All this before we even get to the realities of Palin's stands on earmarks, sales taxes, banned books and loyalty firings.

I wasn't so impressed with Obama. Until tonight.

I'm a Republican who will not vote for John McCain. I believe Sarah Palin is a great pick. However, it will not alter my voting decision. She did not give us anything new.
She is a Rebublican and conservative. He is neither but putting on a good show for the evangelicals. I'm called "the base" in all his letters to me. He doesn't get it- -the base isn't admiring the new McCain –
causing the Republican party to leave me stranded!!
At this point he'll do or say anything to get elected!

Delivered what? A (put on lame Alaskan accent) bowt lowd of nothing? All she did was use negative divisive bs to attack Obama and praise McPOW. It wont work anywhere outside the base. It was so over the top that its going to hurt McCain.

OMG! We love Palin! Awesome Speech! Wow! As an independent voter I am now going Republican. My wife is voting Republican for the first time.

Ok Ill be nice about it. How can this woman stand there with all thats wrong with her own life and act like she is can help ours? Do people not get the Republican Gaf of choosing this Alaskan trailor trash family? Family last Palin First.......mmm mmm mmm mmm mmmmm

Oh, I forgot this beauty of a quote from Gergen, "After all, there are still some serious questions about what kind of president she might be.". Hey, Mr Gergen, uhh, she's not running for President. But, your Zero Foreign Policy and Zero Executive experience Barack Obama IS. Can you tell us PLEASE what kind of President he will be? I mean other then the flashy rhetoric you've swallowed hook, line and sinker?

She's useless. She should look into stand up comedy or moose hunting for a profession.

Sarah Palin delivered a well-written speech; she should have after almost a week of avoiding the media and not doing any interviews.
I can only think that McCain's team don't want her to come across as not knowing what she's talking about. A little cramming of American history is being done I guess. This was totally a move by McCain just to become president. One thing that's having me scratch my head is the fact that people keep talking about her being able to perhaps run the country and be a mother. Though that sounds great, but running the country is not a 9-5 job. Another thing that makes me laugh is watching the former mayor of NY is how much he has in common with McCain. Both cheated on their previous wives and married the woman that they were having an affair with.

The bible says that you cannot serve two masters, you will either love one and hate the other. Can John S McCain outslick God? I have heard Democrats and Republicans alike speak respectfully about McCain but after hearing his V.P pick speak tonight, I seriously question McCain's ability to reform Washington.

Palin should go home and take care of her baby. the governance of this great nation is not for nursing mothers and people who cannot yet take care of their immediate family.per adventure the leadership of this country falls into her hand-courtesy of being the v.p how is she going to run the country with her lots of EXPERIENCES,EXPOSURES ON FOREIGN POLICIES and exhibit the best of her family values and love for her children especially the very last one. Let's not deceive ourselves. Americans think twice, What will take us a second to spoil will definetly take us years to fix,

Palin is a great mother and a great leader!

Can someone answer the question? Who represents America in John McCain's and Sarah Palin's mind? I'm not sure because whom they're talking to does not...do they know the real makeup of America....

BFD, Palin is just another right-wing attack dog. When things calm down after the RNC convention and independents look carefully at their choices for November, an old warrior and his intern skirt won't stand muster.
Obama will be up by 20 points come November first.

obama elevated the tone of the campaign with his speech. she brought it right back down to the same old personal attacks and empty rhetoric. she discussed almost no issues. liberal media, elite politicians, "forfeit" the war. same old straw men arguments. she did a good job giving the speech, but the speech itself was petty.

She hit it out of the park and all the Obamabotic piranha bloggers are really gonna be mad now. Turns out she DOES have substance, she DOES have intelligence,she IS more qualified than the lemmings idol and she's more than willing to stand up for herself and her ideals. Lets see how much more hate the piranha bloggers can come up with now. READY. ...SET......., HATE!

Listening to the mockery party of the Republican Party, I couldn't help but cry in my spirit of how divisive this party can be. Remember what they did to John Kerry in 04 ;someone who served this country with distinction. They are at it again, but this time chose to see themselves as patrotic only. First watching Guliany speak just make me wanner puke. All that came out of that man's mouth is ridicule, hate and hate. What he forgot is that Obama could have chosen to become a millionaire right out of school, but instead chose to start out as a community organizer to help ordinary people out there who had no body to speak for them. America, please wake up...don't let this happen again. Enough of this trashing meant for you to forget about the last eight years!

In speaking about the women that have ran for President of the U.S., Let us remind Govenor Palin in some 101 history; that Shirley Chisholm was the first woman to bid for Democratic President in 1972. It would be nice for CNN and others to remember and acknowledge this moment of history.

Thank You!
Mrs. Brenda Kirk

Let's give cudos where they're due...Sarah Palin gave a great speech in terms of presentation. I'm not sure about the intergrity piece, especially since she promised to live these values if the Republican Party is elected. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if she's done her own homework..She may want to before quoting what others tell her to say...this will impact her integrity! As far as Americans, I'm not sure who the Republican Party is referring too...they must not be familiar with the "browning" of America. Who do they make-up American. It's definitely not whose sitting at the Republican National Convention. I'm really concerned in today's global environment when I hear leaders refer to America and they're only talking to and about a small portion of the world. Based on what I saw of Sarah Palin tonight, she really loves the limelight, and now I understand why she would sacrifice her family, her young infant child and her daughter. She is still chasng a dream that unfortunately due to getting married too soon, having 5 children and never really leaving Alaska has finally found her spotlight. Evidently, beauty pageants, time as a sports reporter, and mayor/governor weren't enough. I just hope its worth it. As she said, "we're just a normal family and believe her normal family problems are getting ready to get even bigger. The media talked about her holding her young baby after her speech...I'm not sure who was watching but she also threw the baby to the father. I'm sure that's going to get old...

Sarah Palin just said that community organizers don't have real responsibilities. Is no one bothered by this? Community organizers have helped revive and restore communities for years particularly in black america. Maybe for Sarah Palin that's not significant but there's a lot of people who would disagree. She came as very arrogant and she needs to get her facts straight.

no, no, and another no- Gergen, you're a thoughtful man, pahleeease, think! There was no substance to this woman's snyde rant- no mention of things that actually matter to those blue collar workers- nothing about education, health care, the ending of a ridiculous and unbearably costly war, the failings in the economy, the foeclosures- NOTHING, it was like watching a peppy PTA mom rally the house-wives to a bake-sale. Sorry, this, as leader of the free world? Energy? Confidence? Sure, but without substance or rationale...blah blah blah LIPSTICK blah blah blah FEAR balh blah blah BAD OBAMA blah blah blah 'I'-RAN blah blah snore................................

The Republicans are good at one thing, taking the focus away from the REAL issues.

Points for having a well crafted Republican propaganda speech: 10
Points for sticking to standard Republican misdirection and talking points: 10
Points for having tons of ad hominems: 10

Points for substance: -10
Points for credibility: -10
Points for addressing real issues: -10

Sarah Palin's credibility and qualification for the position of Vice President of the United States is much like 7-Up's relationship to caffeine: Never had it, never will.

I just can't help but think, if something were to happen to McCain, and Palin had to step up to lead the country, her "soccer mom" experience just isn't going to get it when facing off with the likes of Putin and Ahmadinejahd. And being Governor of Alaska for a yr. and a half just isn't enough either. Nope she ain't Hillary !!.

Obama/Biden '08

I don't know who writes speeches for George W Bush but you could see that person's hands all over this speech. Same old tired stuff.

I wonder who she really is and what she really has to say? It'll be interesting to see if the Republicans allow any real reporters to get within 100 feet of her.

Does she have experience as you all keep asking? She answered that tonight when she told us she was going to Washington to represent the people. Our system is broken and we continue to send "highly educated" elitists to DC. Let's try something different for once and she is the one to go. McCain is not going to die tomorrow. I trust her more than Obama to make the correct international decisions after listening to both. She has a son going to Iraq & is well educated in natural resources. I am actually excited to go vote for the first time since Reagan. She's not perfect, but sure beats the past 30 years of *^&^&%^$ I've seen in Washington.

trashy teens yukkk!.....was she even an adult when having sex with that rapist? It will now make having teen sex a popular pastime for the christian rights children. Good!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!! The speech was terrible. This is a national audience she was addressing, not just the rural woman with 5 children. I thought she had no substance, no plans for how the team of her and Mccain were going to gain respect in the world and no plans to how to fix the domestic issues. Yes, she attacked Obama, big deal, that's all they have. Give us something to move me. Same old boring stuff. We'll see what McCain will bring tomorrow. Hope not any more attack. This has been a wasted week. They need to get some more young republicans to start being involved in this party. All I see are the same old folks that are set in their ways. No reflection of the true America with diversity.

With all due respect to Democrats who thought this was mean and nasty and ugly. I frankly loved it. All the more so because when I watched the Democrat convention I heard mean and nasty and ugly.
I heard McCain called if not directly then via being another Bush as corrupt, a disaster, don't get it, war monger, cronyism, distortion of Bush tax cut as if it was only for the rich, Republicans don't care about peoples needs, only want war. Pretty much called Republicans stupid and a joke.
By the way Republicans do get the economy. You don't create jobs by increasing taxes on business. Obama does want to raise taxes on business. America already has the second higest business tax rate in the world. American business if competing with foreign business that has lower taxes and cheaper wages and less government regulations. And Americans want the cheaper foreign goods. McCain gets it the we need to make American business a stronger competer in the world economy to protect and create jobs. Obama's tax plan will cost America jobs. Disagree if you will, but I fear for my job if Obama becomes President.

Palin is a one trick pony and the press sets the bar so low for all Republicans that if they show up they are considered to have actually done something. David you know very well that this person is not qualified. She did not address the economy,the war in Iraq, or foreign policy. You should be as hard in analyzing her speech as you were Barack's especially on the subject of substance.

This was not a good speech...i can't believe you all are saying she delivered the speech. Why didn't she talk about what they will do once in office that will help the 95% of people that George isn't helping now...Do they have to be sooo negative. This was awful!!!!

David,
I was an avid Hillary supporter, not because I thought Obama was not good enough, but because Hillary was much better. Since her withdrawal from the race, I have tried to be objective in discerning what Obama's message really is – but failed.
He is a very effective orator, but you don't run the country through speeches. One thing in one of the primary debates that stood out for me, was his admission of lack of organization. That is the bane of most brilliant but unsuccessful men that I know of personally. If you are disorganized you are more often than not, incapable of timely action. Having said all that, I listened apprehensively to Sarah Palin tonight. She is impressive! I sincerely believe she would be a lot more effective as President than perhaps Obama would. She is a multitasker, just given the task of juggling 5 kids with her job surely. She is a lady that has tremendous energy and substance. I am almost certain that my vote may be leaning McCain after her performance.

She delivered nothing but hatred. That is why this country is so divided and hateful to each other. McCain would never get my vote now.

Please oh please. Boring speech, she looked confused at time, not fully understanding what she was talking about, incredibly divisive and unlikable. Americans will see though it. But I do admit she looks confident, the kind of confidence that allows you, as soon as you get power, to fire whoever at will.

I would have did great to if someone told me what to say to. She has no clue what she is doing. She is a puppit for the republican party. The amercian people isn't dum.They no the racist republican party is doing this just to win. The only reason mcCain pick her is because the party said they wouln't bag him if he didn't. McCain wanted the other guy, This just shows u that he's no leader he's a follower. Also look a the convention how many black, mexican, indians,and latinos did u see. (NONE) It just shows u who is the racist party is. It look more like a kkk rally then a political rally. You can't compare here to Obama, you match her up with biden thats the vp canidate. Biden will chew her up. If u are under investagation by the FBI that lets people no you are corrupt already.

Her story doesn't resonate to me. I was told I had to be a responsible human being. That meant respecting diversity and loving people as people. Other ideas, ironically from Native American teachings (since she had to talk about the "first dude"'s native heritage: Don't overpopulate the Earth. Don't destroy wildlife needlessly. Don't hate others just because you don't agree. Don't blindly love a nation/cause/uniform without question. Not sure if my folks wanted all that or I just saw them exercise judgment. I have been an independent voting for Republican presidential candidates my whole life, but I just can't take the hate any more.

The Republicans have spent the entire convention trashing Obama with personal, ugly attacks while attempting to compare Palin's "experience" with Obama's. One major difference is that Obama built a campaign machine that defeated the Clinton machine and acquired 18 million votes. Palin has been thrust upon us by an erratic John McCain, who didn't think the process through at all and is now letting the press vet his candidate. The Republican Party, by rashly choosing an ultra-conservative who believes all political decisions are ordained by God, are about to become a fringe party.

I beg to differ. I am a single, divorced mom (originally from MO) of a special needs child. I was raised in a military family with a strong work ethic and LOVE my country.
I could NEVER EVER vote for her. I am pro choice, pro family, pro country and pro common sense and she doesn't meet my criteria. I pray other women are not wooed by her being a woman or the girl next door.
We should be talking about fuel alternatives, border and homeland security, healthcare, a womans right to choose, equality for gays and lesbians, and why we have so many unemployed and living in poverty in our own country and why our children are subjuect to sub standard education.
nauseating

Yeah she reminds me of the girl next door... the judgy, shrill, snit of a lady that lived next to us and wouldn't let her precious children play with the black kids.

Come to think of it her daughter got knocked up in high school too.

Please, now you make her out to be an attack dog. If anything she is playing on the defensive..after days of enduring attack after attack on her caracter, her leadership skills, her competence as a mother, her public service, and her foreign policy experience like if the other candidates that have run for office are so much more qualified.
I'm not even Republican, and the coverage on this lady has been so unfair..for the first time I'm writting everybody on CNN.. Women can't get a fair deal in politics... She rightly defended herself, her family, her town, her State and everything she represents.. and if she hit a little back in the process maybe they had it coming...

Her speech may be attractive to her republican base but she didn't make the case against her perceived inexperience.

Palin delivers.
That title is a joke in itself what did she deliver tell me will you.
She read a speech created by the McCain campaign with a Telepromter in front of her that she was reading.
The headline should read Palin Fails to Deliver .
Which she did she failed and so will McCain in November .
Lets see if you publish my comments.

I guess people don't remember that Barack has been in the State Senate since 1998. I guess people don't won't to acknowledge that. There was no emotion in her speech as it was in the Democratic convention.

Lavon

what i saw tonight was a lunch mob. as an independent tonight was a disgrace. and just who is going to reach across the political divide after tonight? i guess if they don't they can expect a pitbull attack.

McPalin sounds like McbushBush. Putting election first.
The American people are not fools.
ObamaBiden08.

It doesn't even matter if both McCain and Palin (McPain) are over qualified to be elected President and VP. The issue is not qualifications, the issue is whether Americans wake up in time to see through this smoke screen before the failed legacy policies of the past eight years are continued. Make no mistake, the number one goal for the elite Republican machine is to get grandpa McCain and Playmate Palin elected so that they have a better shot at drilling for oil in Alaska and other untapped regions of the coastline and in the interior. Like the Brits said when "W" was elected, "How can so [many] Americans be so dumb? Saying that Republicans are good for America as a whole is like saying, Hitler was an equal opportunity employer and did not discriminate. Jesus may be against abortion, but I'm sure He is equally against destroying the environment, denying health care to the weakest and most vulnerable in our society. And we know He is against lying (i.e., creating stories that mislead the entire world into swallowing lies designed to plunge the US into perpetual war. It is time to fight back and take our country back from the most unresponsive government ever. God help us crush the Republicans this November, so that we can bring back fiscal responsibility, diplomacy, domestic peace and tranquility, and for the first time make health care a moral right rather than an institution of profit for the insurance companies.

Gov. Palin was terrible. Yes, her personal story was very touching BUT her facts are terribly incorrect. She is the Gov. of Alaska. How can she talk about a surplus and tax cuts when she is the Gov. of ALASKA, where there are more animals then people. I am sorry but she has little to no experince, she can't even touch Obama. It is so silly for her to even argue that her PTA experince overrides Obama's communtiy organizer experience. As a former Clinton supporter, I think she was terrible. (Plus she's in the middle of a HUGE scandle. We'll see how the investigation goes.)

I cant wait untill Barack sic's HRC on Palin, she's scarier than a pitbull.

Palin delivers seems like a shocking over statement. It seems almost humorous that she was trying to paint Obama as inexperienced. If that's not the pot calling the kettle black then I don't know what is.

I just watched the Republican convention speeches.
I have never seen anything so disturbing. Grown men and women who want to run the country (and they have been) acting like a high school click. Laughing at and making fun of the other party. The only thing they did not say was na, na, na, na, na. I just have to ask, do they really misunderstand what Democrats say or do they mean to twist things, take things out of context, and basically lie. Listening to them I would have thought that it was the Democratic party that has messed things up so terribly these last eight years. Now that is spin. As for McCain/Palin in power, they would be a magnified Bush/Cheney. He is impulsive and reckless and everything about her screams a bullying sense of abuse of power.

What kind of woman would compare herself to a dog? I can see why she caught McCain's eye, she has no morals.

Palin is a tough cookie. A deceptive Nazi-esque manipulative cookie. I really hope Obama is putting his gloves on. It is time to fight back.

I just heard Sarah Palin speech at the NRC. It just convinced me Barack Obama made the worse mistake of his campaign by not choosing Hilary for VP. If he is such a uniter why couldnt he work out his diferences with the Clinton campaign?? I think Pailing just prooved she is as qualified, if not more, to bew VP than Biden.
I just made up mt mond im voting Mc Cain/Palin and the main reason is Mc Cain showed better judgment in choosing his VP....

If she doesn't want sharp, deeply personal attacks on her, she ought to be careful not to pull punches herself. She would do better to stick to arguments about the issues.

I actually really liked that she came out strong. She won't be easy to put down. The media has attacked her badly, especially after we learned her daughter is pregnant, but I am happy she stood up for herself and showed us what she's made of.

anyone who votes Republican this election is voting for hatred, bigotry, and baseless insults.

This night has been truly offensive. What has happened to the party of Reagan?

REPULICANS WILL FOOL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAIN. THEY ARE NASTIER AND MORE MEAN SPIRTIED THAN DEMOCRATS.WE FELL FOR IT WITH BUSH AND LOOK WHERE WE ARE. IT WILL SET WOMEN'S RIGHTS BACK 20 YEARS, ALONG WITH SCIENCE AND EVOLUTION. BUT BY GOD THERE WILL BE ABORTIONS FOR ONLY THE RICH, CREATIONISM IN SCHOOLS AND MORE MONEY FOR THE BIG GUYS. GO FOR IT AMERICA -SEE YOU IN FOUR YEARS WHEN YOU ARE STILL FIGHTING A WAR IN IRAQ-LOW WAGES, NO BENEFITS, NO HEALTH CARE AND A WORLD LESS GREEN FOR OUR CHILDREN. WE DESERVE WHAT WE VOTE FOR. ,

I want to say that until I heard Palin's speech, I was very undecided about McCain's VP choice. I now know that she will be a positive choice. To address one of your female reporter's (Donna's) comments about not addressing single mothers problems – let me answer that for her – you do what most of us do – you get out and work two or three jobs while continuing your education funded by personal loans because you don't qualify for loans based on race, sex, marital status, and income. I have worked towards my goals with NO help from the government – do not expect help from the government. Every man, woman, and child needs to realize that it is not our government's responsibility to fund or solve our personal problems and choices that we have made in life. For that reporter and those that feel the way she does – grow up and face your own problems and solve them yourself. I will be 50 years old tomorrow and have reached the top of my nursing profession by struggling as a single mother, working up to three jobs at a time, by pursuing and achieving my educational goals on my own. STOP looking for your government to drag you out of the circumstances that you are in. You are responsible for your own destiny. Palin demonstrates this! I am the leader of a healthcare facility and there are many great female leaders in every walk of life – regardless of their titles or education. Everyone needs to realize that women can get the job done!
Thank you,
Sandra

Mrs. Palin's Speech was excellent!!!! Palin's speech put Biden's speech to shame! We now know who were voting for Mr. McCain and Mrs. Palin all the way !!! We Sick of Obama and his hater supporters!!

I have to admit that i'm a bit surprised by Palin's personal jabs at the Democratic party, I feel at a time where her 17 year old daughter admits to being 5 months pregnant, herself having been a young- if not teenage mother herself, and her lack of experience, that she is in no place to criticize Senator Obama or Biden, and is certainly not in a place to incite a character debate. In fact, I find it insulting that she stooped to personal attacks when Obama has taken a strong stance against using family as an attack point, when other candidates or politicians would not shy away from using that against her

I was very dissapointed by the spectacle. The GOP wants to continue dividing this country and my fear is that people are going to fall for it once again. The end result is that we will end up doing deeper into debt, lose more jobs, lose more lives in Iraq, continue to torture people, lose more freedoms (e.g., spy on citizens) and become more isolated. The GOP likes to claim patriotism yet they continue to lie, spread fear and cater to big oil and bash fellow Americans who fight for this country and come from all backgrounds. The GOP also likes to keep religion in a pidgeon hold but GOD belongs to no political party. I think that they should be ashamed of themselves and pray for forgiveness because the Lord knows all and has the last say.

I think it is absurd and insulting to one’s intelligence when Palin is talking about her son being deployed into Iraq. This beautiful mise en scene is fascinating to me. It is as if her son is going to be in the field where the real actions and the real dangers are. They are hidden somewhere safe, the same areas where the McCains, the Obamas and the Joseph Bidens step foot on their trips to Iraq. Do not tell me that they are putting their lives on the line for their country. Please can someone tell me the name of one son or daughter of one of these influential politicians who even get hit during a war. Educate me please!

Oh my gosh! She was horrible! We had such a refreshing hopeful speech in Obama who so intelligently told McSame off, and here we had a woman spewing cliches and tired, canned insults. CNN, of coursed, gushed, but I don't know why! Olbermann called her a mix of Tracey Flick from Election and Anne Richards. More like Tracey Flick and Anne Coulter. I am unimpressed and sooooo psyched about Obama. Now I know he'll win. YES WE CAN!!!!

I was most grossed out by the parading of her family, babies, and that poor, poor teenage boy. Will the Republicans stop at nothing in their pandering, their cynicism?

Wow, did Obama and Biden look high road-not just in tone but in actual thought--compared to this evening of base insults, lack of ideas, and old thinking. These people are freaking me out completely. I am an American abroad-last 22 years-and plan to keep it that way. "Wingnuts" doesn't come close to explaining the vile hatred these people spew.

Too bad she had to struggle with the hard words when she was talking about the unfamiliar things surrounding national security. She should really try to learn how to say "Iraq" instead of eye-rack. Did she give away secret information about where and when her son was being deployed to eye-rack. If she doesn't want the press to do there job when investigating her background, maybe she should try telling the truth instead of lies. Come on, everyone in the world knows her lie about the bridge to nowhere. Of course, as usual, she had to use sarcastic attacks against Senator Obama because the republicans don't have anything to be for. But, she will have great appeal to the extreme right wing nuts who wear republican hats instead of American hats.

Insults after insults...What was the solution? I am a republican that was considering voting for McCain....regretfully i am ashamed of my party tonight! Will there ever be a Reagan again? What happened to moderate republicans....are we a dying breed?

Gergen – Does 25 miles north of Boston count for suburban America...I thought she was great. Bostonians have never been afraid of tough...she spoke to America and not at America...priceless.

Palin speach shows what is wrong with the republican party. They spend too much energy tearing down a persons character and not enough time on presenting solutions. I think Palin speach did what the republicans wanted it to do, but also highlights the whole reason why they are going to lose this election. This whole convention is about beating a democrat for the White House and not about correcting the economy, ending the war on Iraq, creating jobs, and better the lives of the American people.

I was completely rivted to the television. Sarah Palin was amazing, very intelligent, well spoken and really has a pulse on the American People. I will definitely vote for McCain/Palin .. I think the democrats have good reason to be concerned.

So, this is the VP of the Republican party...a female Joe Biden..someone who can dish it with a smile. We'll find out if she can take it.

No pushover, but did she have to be so nasty?

Cheney in sheep's clothing...

The democrats will have a run for their money in the closing days of this race.

Their sleazy, rude statements about Sarah Palin are simply a sign of their gross insecurity.

Shame on them for their sexist, baseless rumors and mean spirited comments about a women they wish they had, or should I say, COULD HAVE HAD (in Hillary), on their ticket.

The Dems have been caught completely flat footed in on the road to progress for women and for America.

Just listen to the talking heads in the liberal media...they are simply spinning...like half crazed idots shooting from their hips...firing off all sorts of ridiculous, irrelevant nonsense.

What a pack shallow, spineless, arogant fools!

I can't imagine my comments will be published, but I will say this. The Republicans crossed the line and they may regret. I've never seen so many people fired up and ready to take them on. If it's a scrap they want, they might be shocked. This is not John Kerry's democratic party. It's Barack Obamas.

I am tired of the republicans playing politics with my country. Palin is grossly unqualified for vice president of the U.S. McCain has less than a 50/50 chance of making through a first term. For the GOP to rally around this pick knowing that our country will be in her hands is so frustrating. When will someone stand up and say this is stupid!! Have we really fallen this far that a PTA president is nominated for the most powerful position in the world. This is a joke. There are teenage mayors of town bigger than the one she led. There were more people in the stadium watching Obama's speech than she was responsible for as mayor. Give me a break!!

I don't think Sarah Palin delivered anything but an uninspired, negative and often childish speech.

Americans are tired of the negative, snide and immature rhetoric that the Republicans are so good at. The truly horrible thing is that these people are being put forth as examples for our children. While we strive to teach them the value of tolerance, maturity and respect for others these so-called leaders get up and spout childish attacks against the Democrats with all of the gusto of a twelve year old.

Palin's job are twofold.
1. Drag Obama down by comparing experience with him making Mccain superior even when she is not directly Obama's opponent.
They know she does not match a thouroughly vetted Oama.
2. Set a trap for Joe Biden to take on her personal stand on conservative issues which she is against but now says are 'personal and private' because the hypocrisy is out to the public. GOP is banking on Biden to make a mistake so that they would whip emotions and win especially women's vote.
GOP knows she does not have the criteria to be in the race.
She is going to be very aggressive in drawing democrats out as a trap.

Where was the WOW factor?

She talked about her family, tried to make the case that being the mayor of a town of 6000 and the governor of a state of less then 700,000 qualifies her for being on the ticket and drug up the POW issue again.

No WOW, nothing really jumped out at me as having true substance.

By ALL accounts,

PALIN hit a GRAND SLAM !!

RUDY, RUDY, RUDY !!

NObama's Experience / Qualification to be President – "NADA"

No Way, NO HOW – NADABAMA!!!
No Way, NO HOW – NADABAMA!!!

Hillary Democrat for McCAIN / PALIN '08 !!!

We need someone in office that can recognize the importance of those people that work to bring people together, we need someone that is "capable" of putting people "first". Who is Palin to suggest that organizers mean nothing when many organizers do so for FREE for the purpose of helping our great citizens of the US. She and McCain are so far out of touch that it is sad. She needs to stay in Alaska and stay out of the White house, 18 million people really do not want her or McCain in there. 8 more years? I say "No way, No how, NO MCCAIN"!!

INSANE MCCAIN!!!!

She was superb, authentic and a true reformer.

The press tears her apart, and then they expect her to come in and smile sweetly and say a few gratuitous, mealy-mounthed words.

She is one of the rare "straight-talking" sincere, and true reformers ever to arise on the political scene in my lifetime.

This country is faced with one of the gravest moral, economic and administrative crisis in its history.....we aren't going anywhere fast with Obama, who just wants to suffocate us with more government and more taxes.

What Palin did in Alaska, she will strive to do in this country. She is no one's fool, and she is fearless.

She is fully qualified with her depth of perception, fearlessness, mental acuity and executive competence to step into the office of President if need be....I have no doubts about that after tonight.

In fact, I think McCain did the same thing with this choice that he did when he supported the surge.....he was his own man and took an unpopular decision because he is convinced it it the best choice for this country.

History will prove him right again if Americans are wise enough to elect him.

Mrs Palin gave a good speech. I wonder if she really believe that oil overseas is very important to her party? She took a page from the other side's book and throwing their own words back at them. Bring something new to the board. The people of America is suffering and needs help, CHANGE, bashing is out and is out of style, not the same political games. The people need help and serious help. All over America people are on the streets homeless, job-less and sick and need good health care it is simple as that. These are the issues you need to impress on Americans because they will donate their money but wants results.

SHRILL- So I need to be careful huh when using that word if I describe the "Shrill" Governor Palin in her deliverance of tonights speech?

If I am to take the use of the word SHRILL as condescending in describing her sarcastic stand-up comedy routine of a speech........how should I take the buttons worn in the background by her supporters at the convention that state "Hoosiers for the Hot Chick"?

Yep that is what I saw. I am sure I can roll back my dvr and show you if you like. Seriously, sexism? Let's move past that and get to the real issues.

She can bring home the bacon..fry it up in a pan...and never...well never mind, David.
Yes, she was impressive and showed she is not afraid to take on the Media, Washington, her opponents in the race, her enemies around the world...makes one wonder if it's confidence, naivete or an intriguing combination.
She will appeal to blue collar, and many women I believe (Gallup says only 13% of women say their candidate must agree with them on the Choice issue).
I have always been a Dem...but I can't get past Obama's dismal voting record. Just being 'present' won't cut it in the White House.
thx for letting me share a thought.

I am a conservative Republican that supports John McCain although I don't agree with all of his positions. I am very impressed with both Sarah Palin's speech and her conservative values. She has inspired me politically in a way that I have not felt since the days of Ronald Regan. I am very excited to see the McCain/Palin ticket win the general election and place the United States back in the driver seat as the worlds sole super power.

This is laughable!! Her speech sounded so read!!! Game on!! She thinks shes tough! She better get ready!!

"ENOUGH!"

I agree with Paul in terms of the media being able to say what they think and not hold back because they have been ridiculed by the Republicans. And, I do felt the Wolf was persuading the other commentators to thinking carefully about what they were saying. Wolf don't punk out on us now...up until now, you were doing a great job! We need you...your peers have said and done what they thought was right and have stood behind it. I was very proud of Kendall...you go girl! Come on...let's report and be honest...say what you see!

I think she did a remarkable speech yes, An even threw some hard punches at Obama (with some not true statements),But not enuff to make me change my mind even as a single mother with 5 children, An my youngest is a speical needs child. She dont belong in the white house, She belongs where she is now an thats a gov. I dont think she has got what it takes to be in the white house as a V.P. I am a first time voter! I want CHANGE for the United States. I want my kids to have the American Dream. I dont think they are offering that to the younger generation. How can she say Obama is'nt about change, he just talks it, She just came in the picture. She needs to come at the Democrates, independant voters plus the first time voters another way... Cause that is not going to take it.

Palin offered nothing of substance. Instead of taking the time to provide substanitive credentials of what she could contribute to "serve the people" she wasted millions of folks time with Lame rhetoric and slants using her strongest point ... experience??? Com'on Get Real!

Btw: the commander of the her state guard? Yes that is true by virtue of position. I've been proudly serving for 16 years in the military... what she did is take credit when the hard working/talented military leaders make the tough decisions... she's nothing more than a rubber stamp. If she can illustrate 1 decision she personally made, I'd be impressed.

Women... Please don't fall for the gender card BS.... Yes I'd vote for a women... but not one who brings little to the fight.

Sarah Palin is real. I was very much on the fence until tonight, but if she continues through the campaign to show the person that she was tonight, she'll win me over to their side. I'm tired of politicians and BS from Washington that may or may not be true. One never knows. She seems very real and much more like us real people.

WOW!!! Sarah Palin is a Spitfire. I love her "telling it like it is" attitude and standing up for the small town people. There is only one thing that needs to be said, "Watch out Democrats. Because there is no stopping her!!!"

I'm guessing well-crafted means fear-mongering and personal attacks on the character of the Democratic ticket and the potential first lady. I don't condone any type of personal attacks, Democrat and Republican alike. With the exception of her reiteration of McCain's military service, maverick abilities, and his POW story, and her own personal story, the rest of her speech was a direct, personal hit to Obama, Biden, and Michelle Obama. No policies to direct the economy in the right direction, no policy to end the Iraq war responsibly, no serious energy policy to get us off foreign oil. That's all the American people wanted to hear. Not the reasons why we shouldn't vote for Obama, but the reason why we should vote the McCain-Palin ticket. We just didn't hear that tonight.

This lady is tough and smart. I can see her appeal to blue collar workers (white folks). Hopefully, the Dems won't underestimate her and think she's a pushover.

As a black person, I was insulted by her speech. It's one thing to disagree with someone on policy; it's another to attack them personally. She alluded to and condescended to the Obamas several times during her speech, but mentioned Barack once or twice by name. She shows that she has nothing but contempt for the Obamas; black folks in particular.

Republican party will put our country first "Down to the drain with their policy, Do we want to do this?"

Nothing but more nastiness from the same party that brought us an illegal war, a sinking economy, and a less well educated population. Is there no end to their gall? Talk about a lack of judgment; this whole VP pick by McCain was the most hap-hazard, thoughtless choice in presidential history. This is the same woman that voted against funding sex education in high school and preached abstinence only programs, yet her unwed 17 year old high school aged daughter is 5 months pregnant. This Sarah Palin woman didn't even have the wherwithal to stop procreating past a certain age regardless of the increased health risk factors to herself and her potential child for women over 38 having children. The American people are to smart to be bamboozled again.

Nothing like snappy quips to keep Putin from bombing the snot out of Poland

What a breath of fresh air. She delivered almost like Hillary and belive me, that's saying a mouth full. The Dems need to face the fact that Obama made a terrible mistake in not vetting – nor picking Hillary as VP. It was a crazy strategic mistake and he may pay the price for that. I hope Hillary's home laughing her toosh off.

David I expected to hear you state "she delivered the speech that she was expected to". She is the one that paraded her daughter that is expecting and family with the baby with downs syndrome in front of the nation. She and the McCain camp are the ones that are expoliting her daughter and family. There is no sexism shown in any way towards her just because she is the woman running for the GOP VP. She had no substance in her speech. She just ran against the media and Barack and Michelle. It sounds as if Joe Biden can take of the gloves when he has to confront her in the VP debate. After all although she is a "women" running for VP she should be treated lthe same as Joe Biden. I think that you and the rest of the political panel for CNN need to get out in the real world and listen and see how the average person feels about the last 8 years of the Bush and Republican policies. As for the GOP VP candidate as being down to earth she is no different than myself a hockey mom, administrator, etc. I guess in the long run I am eligible to become the next VP to run with John McCain. I know McCain very well because I live in Tucson, AZ and feel that he is a poor representative for this state. Again, David get out and listen to the real people here in the US. You may think that she made a "homerun", but I think otherwise. John McCain is no "mavrick" that is all made up by yourself and the rest of the media that covered is last campaign.

I am a registered independent and I am neither black or white,but I strongly feel that Palin touched very sensitive parts of color and culture of Barrack Obama and M.Obama.This type of talk further going to divide our nation and Republicans should encourage and join more eastman/Kodak color in their party and down play racial matters in the public.At this age ,a white lady in Alaska became a Governner and before a Mayor and this does not happen for colored people.I have asked a a latino today whether her salary is above 60K.She replied that she does not have the enough white color in her skin or blue eyes eventhough she posses 10 years of College education.So Palin's talk and her selection definitely a color related not qualification or skills.This simple theory
of colorism definitely affected Baracks family because it took 20 years
to become a leaderfor his vision and idealogy .If a white man possess all this quality we could have seen a teenager President for USA and if he is a republican ,defenitely he will be a president by 12 years.After hearing Palins bad comments, my vote is for OBAMA only.

As a young mother of a 3mnth old baby, I was hoping to here more about how she would help me face the financial brick wall and the health care nightmare that faces us more than bashing the democrats! I thought super star politics was a taboo in the Republican campaign, I'm literally in tears if this rue works on any woman. She might be a good mother, mayor and even Governor but I hope America sees past the girl next door act in this opera.

Ok, even the media"CNN" makes the slips of addressing our wonderful Governor by her first name as if they know her, "Sarah" she will touch your heart as she so obviously does ours. The mom next door that attracks the children of the neighborhood. You know you did Wolf!!! Call the rest by their full names or titles.......Sarah we feel so comfortable with....We heard it tonight on CNN, check your tapes.

PROUD American, PROUD Alaskan

God bless our country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No McBush nor McPal. She should take care of her own business which is her family. Taking leadership of a country is no game and it require 24 hours a day seven days a week. This speech she gave was worked on longer than 72 hours. It was staged and rehearsed all day today!
ObamaBiden 08

Palin = Trailer TRASH

For the sake of America, Obama/Biden 08/12

thank you Paul Begalo for standing up for Hillary against these CNN reporters who are now running away from the truth

Gulliani on first, Huckabee on second, and Romney on third...Sarah Palin comes to the plate...here's the pitch...

OMG it's a Grand Slam Home Run!

every comment in CNN against rep.party. Democrat, you just mad, angry becouse you hate and afraid the truth. NO Obama No Obama.

Palin may have delivered an overall effective grade form the media critics at large for her rhetoric and her display of an enviable toughness in the face of adversity about her family's shortcoming of morality with a teen pregnancy under the age of consent in most states, especially troubling for a Pentacostal evangelical as the public will come to know who Palin is.

One key point not to be missed is the demeaning manner that Palin has labeled the good work of community organizers in her viscious attack on Obama's previous work endeavors. Ms. Palin may soon find out what community organizers,–nd those who support their good work– do not cling to–hers and mcCain's candidacy! And let's get out all the facts back home in Alaska on the accusations aplenty on Palin.

She was SHRILL – she was also screeching, jeering and quite condescending to a Constitutional Scholar. What is HER degree in?

She's doing this(exploiting a Down Syndrome Child) for POWER and McCain/Bush/Chency/ROVE are doing it for oil.

Censor this one out CNN – you CENSOR AMERICAN Viewpoints.

I just heard Campbell Brown give a critique about Harry Reid saying something about shrill languagea. As a woman I totally disagree that it was inappropriate. I found her to be shrill at times. C

Is "executive" experience some new buzz word? Does McCain have it? Who needs it?...the VP or the President?

And if Palin's list of McCain's qualities (tested by time and endurance) describe what is necessary for a "President", what happens if she (a heartbeat away) does not have the same experience in order to prove her mettle? I do honor McCain's strength of character as a POW, but the election has to focus on a very long laundry list of issues. Sarah needs opportunities to be vetted by the public. She came out with the punches , but the glove belonged to her speechwriters.

Man I watch that speech and she couldnt stop repeating the same thing over and over and over. Thank the camera man that showed the teleprompter so the Americans can really know how she speaks. Here is the real question everyone should ask her. Was she going to vote for Hillary or Mccain. And does the McCain Kennedy story fit with her change? Oh yea thanks for bragging how you fired the american cook, and airplane pilots. The plane was Tax payers money and you sold it for less then what it was purchase for. Your the change all right. The other 5 pennies McCain cant come up with. Ask your future son inlaw who he would vote for? He's a Obama supporter controlled by the McCain campaign. That speech needs lots of work. I went to sleep.

As I so often do, Mr. Gergen, I have to agree with you...much though I'd rather not on this particular issue! Frankly, I think Sarah Palin has bigger "cojones" than John McCain! I found it quite amusing, however, that she showed those "cojones" by playing the experience card in comparing herself to Barack Obama. Ballsy? Yes. Smart? No. Well, I hope it's not smart but then everything about this election continues to amaze me...the fact that it's still so close being at the top of the list. John "Maverick" McCain seems to be anything but...the GOP's are trotting out all the same, tired rhetoric they always do and that's going to "change" Washington how, exactly? The politics of fear just should NOT be working anymore...period. McCain rolled the dice big time in choosing Sarah Palin and I truly do not think it's going to pay off. At least, I pray to God it doesn't. This is one Canadian who'll wash his hands of the lot of you if you put McCain and Palin in the White House. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will truly turn you away from the disastrous collision course you've been on the last eight years and help you regain the respect of the world. McCain and Palin will bring more of the same and you may finally crash and burn. I sure hope not. Canadians overwhelmingly want Obama and Biden in the White House...we can't, however, help put them there. If only we could........

If I need to get a good laugh, I watch comedy central. I do not want country's leaders to provide me with comic relief.

I have nothing against her or her background or her family or that she is from a small town or from Alaska.. But her platform is completely hollow. There is no substance. I am not looking for a leader with beautiful family, or small time roots etc. etc. I am not looking for a picture frame to put on my wall and admire. I want a leader who can fix the problems that has been created by 8 years of hell.

What policy/ideas did she offer? Nada. Zip. Zilch.

The devil is in the details. If she accuses Barack for rhetoric, her speech had the same rhetoric.

No she didn't...she just read the tele-prompter like she was told. You must admit, she obeys well, and Republican's love that!

I think she stood out as a condescending person with no ideas of her own....Kind of like the person in the White House now.

Very Anne Coulter like and it will play well with her and Rush's audience

I dont know where to post this, but Campbell is making an issue of nothing.
Sarah Palin made a nasty speech and she can't hide behind being a woman

Wow CNN, can you pander to the Palin any more. I can't believe you are actually trying to find something sexist here with Harry Reeds response.

Remember when reporters actually reported without having to have everyone like them?

If Obama had given such a condesending hateful speech, you would have been all over him.

I'm a woman and Sarah Palin was shrill, insidious, and extremely sarcastic. And she is echoing Carl Rove....sounds like more of the same 8 years to me.

I am a strong supporter of Mrs. Hillary Clinton and was one who said no to Obama however with all the B.S. with greek temple and parting waters
I have had a change of heart... I will be voting for Obama Sarah also gives a great speech however she has hidden secrets within the closet so be afraid be very afraid..Mccain thinks because he selected a women I and so many other women will vote for him. No Way No How Not Never Not Now!! I am in Arizona and cannot stand Mccain

THE GLOVES ARE OFF, BET SHE WILL GO HOME PACKING.

OBAMA........08

I personally thought she was more of the same once again. All she did was attack the other side and not give any solutions how she will be any different than George Bush and Dick Cheney. Matter of fact, her attack style and name calling reminded me of a combination of Dick Cheney and Karl Rove.

I heard nothing positive from her - only attacks on Obama, sound-bites and tired clichés. Extremely short on substance. I didn't hear anything about what she & McCain plan to do to "change" what's not working in the USA. They seem so venomous about what the Democrats have supposed done to bring down the country, but seem to forget that their party has been in charge of the White House for 8 years and Congress for 8 of the past 10 years... Talk about accountability.

David I'm sorry but seriously, what speech were you watching, it was incredibly boring.

The audience's response seemed very insincere. Where will they begin tearing her speech apart. She bragged up so many aspects that she had very little to do with or had made bad decisions on. I would also like to see the Republicans talk about what they're going to do instead of what Obama isn't going to do. The speech was ugly and a nasty hit against one of the only people to come pout in defense of Palin, Obama. The fact is that anytime a discussion about Palin begins it ends with talking about Obama. She has no substance therefore there is nothing to discuss.

A replacement of pretty face of Ann Colter with pretty face of sarah Palin but differance is Ann colter is a wild pitbull dog and sarah palin with John Mccain's neck band pitt bull dog.

I disagree. I think the speech was well written – but as the first speech she gave to a national audience, this was a pretty bad move. She came across as an extreme right wing, harsh, sarcastic candidate that independents (myself included) and some republicans are very much turned off by.
This speech was so scripted she could not fill in/ad lib anything that was lost when the video was skipped. Given that very little is known about her other than the negative information that has come out over the last few days the video was a really important piece of information that the GOP should not have cut out of the program.
Additionally, after Obama paid her the courtesy of stating that family is off limits her jab at his wife was anything but respectful of his attempt to protect her family. In fact, if she doesn't want the media to focus on her family...stop parading them in front of the country and using them as talking points.
I was really discouraged by the whole night, Palin's speech included. I do not see how the group of people that are in that audience can ever think they will reach across party lines and accomplish anything with the Democrats if they continue down this road.

Great Woman, Great Speech

I believe she will do a great job as the V.P.

I say Palin speak and she gave a nice speech. I however don't feel like she was talking to me.. the single mother with a Master's degree and living paycheck to paycheck. The cost of living is rising faster than my income and it is becoming more difficult to make ends meet.

Also, Rudy said that the moment Palin became Mayor she had more experience than Obama who has no executive experience and has been "just" a community organizer. What executive position has McCain held? Was he mayor or governor of Arizona? Nope! So, it seems to me that she has more experience than anyone on either ticket if you use Rudy's analogy.

What is wrong with your news staff. I've heard better speeches from students in speech 101. No one noticed the woo glad this is over from Ms. Palin. She was a joke, get real.

I have to say i agree on this one with you david.
However I wish there were more Meg Whitmans in both parties. I'm an independent but i liked the way she addressed the economy.
Hopefully future conventions speakers can talk to voters and tell them what they can do for them instead of always bashing the opponent ( Trying to equate a Mc Cain Win to Bush's third Term or painting Senator Obama as someone not patriotic enough ).
My main issues with Mc Cain are he hasn't really said anything note worthy about how he would create jobs or boost the economy. and on the other side senator Obama's foreign policy approach make me feel anxious as to how he would deal with Vladimir Putin.
People tend to think economy so much that they forget national security.
I hope the candidates will help ease my concerns on these matters by election day.

Nick, Ottawa

She gave a good speech but with no substance at all. She gave a bunch of one liners that did nothing but push independents away from this ticket. She didnt answer any of the questions I had about her.

Overall Mrs Palin delivered an excellent speech. I'm a independent and the tone I continue to recieve from the Republicans is just like the one President Bush and the administration used to lead us to war in Iraq. At that time they used Colin Powell to pitch the product and sell the goods to the American people. I cant believe that the electorate in this country still continues to fall for this . We need to see past the snake oil salesmen from the Republican party and understand the will of the people

I will not question her experience; I am just wondering how McCain can now argue that Obama is not prepared to be President and his first 'Presidential choice' is a VP that has less experience than Obama.

Today is the first day for her
Wait and see its going fire up soon
Obama dream is he can win easy
Now the dream is in ?

To late for Obama he missed Hillary , if he would choose Hillary he would be president by this time

Hillary 2012 /Mc Cain/Palin2008

David, same old tired Republican message in a pretty wrapper.

The McCain campaign plans to dump her. If they were keeping her, they would have made her look credibly presidential. Instead they used her as an attack dog and cheerleader. The Republican cynicism runneth over.

She delivered?!? Mercifully, she delivered the end of a horrible evening of mean-spirited speeches by mean-spirited people, with mindless, chanting delagates urging them on.

She sure did! And I may say – she did very well. I think she's a perfect match for McCain. I like her speech and for those who think she was negative, let me ask them to watch the DNC again. Their convention was full of attacks on the republicans and specifically, John MCcain. I just think we need to understand the saying – what goes around, comes around. The DNC had their turn, now it's the RNC – get over it!

Six words: Democrats-will-pile-drive-her-now

I cannot wait for the Democrat response...she is fair game now...just remember she likes to shoot animals.....heckuva role model for kids.

Following Hillary's fiasco, I am undecided. When Palin was announced, I had many questions and still do. However, she hit all the points in a way that was confident, convincing and congenial. The fact that she has a large family is a plus. It makes her larger than life. It makes her better than many of us. She has so much to give and be part of. And she does not let it hold her back. This is an achievement. I still want to see her speak in a real debate and can't wait to see how that experience tests her wits, her stamina and her knowledge.
I like Obama and Biden. However, I must say with Palin, McCain is not a weak opponent.

It appears to me that all gloves are off and she's ready to do battle. I say, give Biden full reign and if I hear another "sexist" comment come out of another Republicans mouth I'll scream. If she has the gumptipon to make harsh cristicisms and inaccurate statements about the Democratic party than I say, give it back to her (respectfully of course), just as well as she can give it. She stepped on alot of toes (it's America, freedom of speech) but you have to back it up, she threw alot of punches but left herself open for quite a bit of retaliation. If she expects to be handled with kid gloves now, because she's a "I'm a hockey-mom-PTA-fishing-going" speech, go back to Alaska, because she's playing in the big league now. OBAMA 08!!!!

I think by watching the rcn tonite is a disgrace this people have the audacity face to talk about change, honestly voting republican in this election is a disaster for america mcain + palin=katrina

wilson

Wow! After seeing The RNC coverage tonight, its more obvious than ever that flash-in-the-pan "Barack-o-rama" is out of his league by getting in dangerous waters with "Sara-cuda" ...

Shrill ? The Democrat's just haven't learned yet have they? We're in a new era now! Sen. Harry Reid just doesn't get it! The sexist Sen. Harry Reid is in a state of panic. And so is Paul Begala!

Sarah Palin tone and delivery was on the sarcastic side. To me she represents the old ways of politics. She made verbal attacks like a high school coach to me.

The contrast is that Obama has built his campaign without hard sarcastic, child-like remarks to win a battle. He is above all that.

If something happened to McCain, Sarah Palin would need another Cheny to be her vice president. She is not ready to be president. I feel she is too naive and her approach is somewhat immature.

Are we American that hungry for power that we are so angry, I am so disgust that this night was full of so much hate

I really respect David Gergen, but watching CNN makes me wonder if I was watching the same speech... it was, well, vicious! She had an attitude about her that wasn't enduring to me in the least. She reminds me of the snob in high school who looked down on someone wearing shoes that are "so not this year's look." I didn't get the feel of a family woman in the least. She was nasty and not warm. She isn't the victim that's for sure!

...her makeup looked good though. =P

Thank you Sarah Palin.
I am proud of you as a women and as an American.

So, she can read insults but please do fact check on her rhetoric. She has told some outright lies!

What a breath of fresh air. I hope others see the truth. We do not want bigger goverment. I wanted Clinton, but now I want McCain/Palin. Thanks Obama for making me change my vote to McCain.

Her condescension, sarcasm, and insults just aligned her even MORE with typical, old, tired, conservative Washington. Isn't that the tone that has been present at almost every past republican convention? How is that change?
The McCain campaign had the audacity to demand the media and AMERICA stop investigating Palin's BACKGROUND and her family. I'm 100% on board with not talking about her daughter. But to suggest that the VP nom's BACKGROUND is off limits is something straight out of the Karl Rove playbook. It's very much GWB and the untouchables.
For a campaign that calls for an end to attacking FAMILY or, even TALKING about family, she had NO problem going after Michelle Obama. So I guess Cindy McCain is fair game then, huh? Hypocrites. you can't demand that the press and other candidates back off your family and then go for the throat of a potential first lady in the same day and expect it to go unnoticed. Sarah Palin may say she's not out to win the good opinions of the media, but she better not forget the very media she scorns are the taxpaying citizens she says she's fighting for.

Same old ,same old.Nasty politics as usual. Please talk about issues and not each other. Tired of it.

I personally thought she was more of the same once again. All she did was attack the other side and not give any solutions how she will be any different than George Bush and Dick Cheney. Matter of fact, her attack style and name calling reminded me of a combination of Dick Cheney and Karl Rove.

Palin told us what she think of any community organizers. She lied about pork, bridge to nowhere, she support Obama energy plan, as mayor she left the town in debt and women do not have a right of choice about there body. Look at her spitirual belief

Wolfe, Campbell & Gergen, are u guys serious??? It seems like you guys are flipflopping. This was a utter attack on Obama through every speech with no rhetoric on the issues...are you serious??? This country is not looking for vicious attacks but solutions to the problems that the McBush/Cheney administration has put us in. And oh Sarah Falin, please do not complain now. I am disgusted with the Republican party, this is a disgrace.

One thing I must say about this whole situation with Gov Palin and her VERY irresponsible husband.

How do you let a child of six years handle a baby for over tens minutes? No real parent would let a child hold a baby unsupervised! Irresponsibility seems to run in your family.

IS THAT HOW YO PLAN TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT?

The fact she deliveried a powerful speech is no surprise...
The fact she attacked Barack is no surprise...
The fact she praised Sen McCain is no surprise....
But this event is nothing but window dressing...
The REAL TEST will come when she does One on One interviews on the Sunday Morning talk shows when she has to explain why she was for the bridge to nowhere before she was against it, and why she asked for the pork-barrel project funding when she was mayor and now acts like she is totally against it.
Some of what she has said will be a VERY HARD to defend!!
This is just the beginning...

I have always been a democrat, but I find such a negative tone to their campaign, compared to the republicans. I loved Gov. Palin's speech, and I will feel confident with her working beside Sen. McCain for our country.

Sen. McCain won't be Bush's twin, and I believe he has the welfare of all Americans as his top priority. It won't surprise me if a lot of other democrats arrive at the same conclusion.

Let the comments by the obamites about her being some out of touch hick begin. I'm just guessing but this will be their first reaction to attacks that hit home to someone who's biggest qualification is a "Community Organizer".

That was terrible Gergen. You have lost my respect. All she talked about were the little gotcha politics that you talking heads love to discuss. She did nothing on the issues or for the independent voter. She is a sarcastic shrew that needs to go take care of her family.

I was very disappointed. She delivered nothing. Very risky. All she did was said things about the other candidates which wasn't very nice at all. To top it off it was a bunch of lies.

You can tell that she is a yes woman.

Where is the substance? Is she the president already. She suppose to be running for VP oh I forgot McCain is only one heartbeat away.

Where is the diversity in the audience?

I give her a point for trying to pull it off.

All I can say is the kitt gloves are off now.

Next the debate- will she be able to think and talk on her own.

Don't forget no cheating with the questions.

This speech did marvelous things............for Obamas campaign. She just united all of us.

I am shocked by the anger, hostility and warlike tone that Sarah Palin set. Yes, her self-described Pitbull with Lipstick is appropriate. But I don't think a president with a bad temper supported by a pitbull is my idea of what this country needs now. We need to shift our focus from destroying other Americans who care equally about this country, even if we don't all agree, to the real challenges of the 21st century. Poverty, war, famine, extremes in climate, nuclear waste and terrorism are real issues, which together I think we can overcome.

Barracuda - biosch.

What I learned from Palin's speech.

1. She's pretty hot.
2. She's sorta well spoken.
3. Nothing else.

She was sent out to headline "Attack Obama" night and even got upstaged by Giuliani in that aspect. This convention has taken a mean and bitter tone from the start. I'm tired of hearing them blame the Democrats for the state of the country when they've been running the country for the past 8 years. Did anyone outside the arena buy this dreck?

To look at Sarah Palin's experience is all well and good as she may have to take on the role of leadership if John McCain was to be unable to perform his duties as President, but to pit her's against Barack Obama's, misses the point. I think that if the argument is to be made that Barack Obama has no executive experience then it should also be stressed that neither does John McCain. Mr. Guiliani made it a point to go to great lengths tonight to get that point across, seemingly oblivious to the fact that his new best friend is in the same boat.

However well she delivered the speech, the content did not answer two questions that are fundemental in my mind.

What makes her qualied to be President of the US of A on day 1?

What role will her extreme views on teaching creationism in school and banning abortion even in the case or rape and incest have on a McCain administration or God forbid in a Palin Administration?

She came across as a total female pitt bull...in lipstick. No need to tiptoe around her. She's not a victim, she's a target. Can't wait for the debates to see what she says when there's no teleprompter. It would have been better received by me if she had more substance. Instead she came across as the person trying to battle a kid in school that obviously was superior, so when all else fails, you talk about his highwaters...or in this case, his stage props. And I agree with Roland Martin. Belittling the community organizers is a great way to give the middle finger to the person that relies on the community organizers when the factories close and their job is shipped overseas, when they become a victim of subprime mortgage practices and their home is being foreclosed on, or when they can't get to work because gas is too outrageous. And on top of it, she made women look awful!

I thought that Senator Palin came off as very arrogant. Frankly, I'm really surprised that she questioned Senator Obama's experience, considering that she has so little herself, even less than Obama. The personal attacks really turned me off. In fact, all the negativity during the evening, the mocking, the smugness, were really over the top. It made me wonder what kind of leaders McCain/Palin would be if elected, and what they would say about other countries' leaders they don't like.

As an INDEPENDENT voter. The Republicans tonight TRULY made me feel comfortable and right about voting Democratic this election. For the last 2 days these people have just slammed Obama and the Democrats and not mentioned 1 single thing about the economy or ideas for improving America. As far as Palin goes. She looked so akward and uncomfortable at times during her speech that it was obvious that she wasn't familiar with it. But, she did show that she could be as nasty as the rest of the republican party without offering any solutions at all

I didn't realize smarmy and sarcastic was the way to go in a political race. I guess I was a fool to expect substance and respect.

She delivered?!? Mercifully, she delivered the end of a horrible evening of mean-spirited speeches by mean-spirited people, with mindless, chanting delagates urging them on – while those of us at home were barfing in our chairs!

A little humor is ok, especially when it's self-deprecating. But I thought she was superior and almost nasty. Like a mean high school girl. It was creepy in that high school flashback kind of way. I feel like she's a lot like Bush – vindictive.

she simply hit the nail on the head. she can relate to my family, people of America. Shes no pushover and shes our next vice president. I was weary at first, but this woman is amazing and captivating.

NO WAY....NO HOW.....NOBAMA!

Not good, it was a very condescending speech that didn't talk about any of the issues that we are facing. Palin doesn't have any solutions to the energy crisis, she doesn't have any idea on how to get us out of Iraq, she doesn't have a long term vision on ending our oil dependency. This speech was more about her credentials compared to Obama's which is hardly comparable.

I have to say, while she gave a good speech, I have never heard so many divisive, vitriolic, personal attacks in my life. If this is all the Republicans have is mean and divisive attacks then this race is over before it begins. They have said nothing as to what they are going to do about the economy, healthcare, energy prices, education, rising cost of college, the list goes on. What happen to a race on the issues, McCain’s advisor has already said this is not about the issues. I have news for John McCain, I am voting on the issues and right now I see nothing that suggest I should vote for McCain. Nothing he has put out suggest he is any different than Bush. He has admitted on TV that he has voted with Bush 90% of the time. So the question remains, what do I get with McCain that I haven’t already gotten from the Bush Administration? The only thing I have got with the Bush Administration is war, high prices, a sagging economy, lack of respect around the world, the list goes on. What are you going to do for me McCain/Palin? Is it lip service or do you actually have a plan? Enough of the personal attacks, what about the issues?

Sarah Palin sure has got a lot of democrats panties in a bunch. They sure can dish it out but they can't take it. This Roland guy I thought was going to cry on national TV, Don't cry Barack will take care of you with 1 of his many social programs, oops that if he wins which is very doubtful. See you in November chumps

Sarah Palin gave a great speech this evening. She proved she is qualified for this job. She will attract not only "hockey moms" but also families with children with disabilities, and middle america. These are the Americans that the democrats have taken for granted. I find it ironic to read comments from democrats accusing John McCain of being an elitist but refuse to believe that Barack Obama is one. What I saw tonight was a strong, confident woman not afraid to take on the left wing liberals. She stated facts that democrats are afraid to face. Her speech was truthful something democrats are running away from. Sarah Palin I applaud you and I look forward to voting for you in November. And democrats this is one woman you lost to the republicans!!!!!!!!

I can not believe this woman would put down community organizers....did she forget all politics are local?
how many people started at the bottom and worked their way up. she started as s city council member...what if someone had criticized that before she became governor...she is a joke and a puppet...I hope she can take it like a man...bend over!

This is to the CNN commentators: Why does everyone have to tip toe round the POW Factor and the WOMAN factor. It's really getting old. I found hers and many other speeches offensive. The Obama campaign has been very good about not attacking her this week. But it's okay for her to attack with lies. Let's have some fair analysis from the media.

Are you kidding me? Her speech was beyond childish...I thought she was running for vice president of student council, not vice president of the United States. Her participation in this campaign is insulting...as far as I'm concerned, she should go back to her small town in Alaska and take her conservative views with her.

Accomplished what?

I think it is important to note the contrast between Joe Biden's speech and Sarah Palin's. I am a democrat, but Palin's speech was far superior to that of Biden's, at least rhetorically. I have been consistently frustrated by the failure of my party to effectively attack the right and its lies. The VP speech was the place for Joe Biden to do just that; but he failed to fill the role of attack dog that I, and many other democrats, felt that Biden would easily play. Election after election, the republicans have attacked the Democratic Party as "limousine liberals," the media elite, and out of touch with "traditional american values," yet democrats have been unable to counter-punch and, as a result, we have lost.

Sarah Palin's speech was sarcastic, condescending (community organizers have no responsibilities), cutting, and effective. The Democratic Party must return to the legacy of party leaders like LBJ and Ann Richards, the people who fought back against the GOP and the big bag of BS that they were, and still are, serving up to the American people.

This antagonistic speech by Sarah Palin should be viewed by democrats as a liscense to vigorously and mercilessly attack the republican ticket.

Mr. Gergen:

Mediocre speech I thought. What she needs to do is stop hiding behind the GOP and address things like the Alaska Independence Party, her pork barrel spending, controversial statements by her former pastor whom she still supports, etc. If they continue to let the rumor mill run wild without getting in front of these things, the public will make up its own mind whether some of these things are true or not.

Sarah Palin – Divisive political attack dog..."distancing herself from the Republican Party"...yeah right! She suddenly embraces the Republican Party because she puts her political career first; before family and country. She displayed her family like a dog-and-pony show knowing full well that her 17-year-old unwed pregnant daughter would be the focus of the international press. How could you put your own daughter through that? I'm sure her 17-year-old daughter did not have a say in the matter...very pitiful and sad. I'm glad she decided to attack Barack Obama personally; that leaves her wide open for counterattacks of which I hope there are many.

You know what is interesting when you look at the GOP convention? Everyone looks like your Grandmother or Grandfather. What new thinking, this same old GOP it has been in the last 30 years. It is time for a new generation of leaders and that is why I am supporting Barack.

Sarah Palin is Shrill, Shrill, Shrill. Get over it. She used harshed words that are disgraceful and offensive. If she wants to play with the big boys and can dish it out, She should be able to take it.

Campbell Browns comment about sexism is totally uncalled for, thats something we would expect out of Nancy Grace. People watch you guys b/c you are the best on tv.

Please stay true.

Thank you

What Palin delivered was a vacuous speech filled with border line mockery and half-truths. Where was the substance? Where was the discussion about the economy? And why should I feel any better now about her possibly being second in command?

A great speech by great VP candidate. She showed that she is a strong real woman who has what it takes to bring real change to Washington.

McCain/Palin 08

I'm not impressed because she played the Mom card. At all. She can read a speech – yay. This says nothing about her abilities or qualifications as a leader; rather the disingenuous remarks about the Bridge to Nowhere and the sarcasm and mockery were not attractive and not the 'leadership qualities' one would hope for in a Veep.

She only looked good tonight in contrast with the horrible, mocking, divisive, and dreadful speeches of those who spoke before her.

They have all blown any pretense that theirs is the party of unity; rather they are intent on forcing Americans apart and creating animosity. Palin is part of that gang. I'd be impressed if she distanced herself from what happened at this convention and withdrew from the fray.

I think the water cooler talk tomorrow will be about how hateful the speeches at this convention were. Watching all that left me depressed – and seeing the wild hoots and jeers of the revved-up audience, frankly, creeped me out.

All in all, a dreadful night.

She delivered well and acted out the speech well. She appeared confident and appeared as if she was trained by watching Hillary's speech movements. She did however get Obama's policy facts wrong and released strategic military information concerning her son's deployment a commander in chief should not have. She has potential. She is nearly there. Not just now. She did open Pandora's box.

The democrats talked about real issues during their convention. All I have seen to date during the republican convention is fear mongering, personal attacks on Obama and misleading economic policies scenarios. For example high gas prices in the United States and elsewhere are directly related to republican policies i.e., supporting the oil and gas lobby, supporting Saudi Arabia, and making a small handful of Americans and Arabs extremely wealthy. The more I watch the republican convention the more I feel that people on the right are highly unintelligent and are the reason that there is such a polarization in wealth and prosperity in the US. Feeding peoples fears and is good for big business and bad for people. Would you rather put your future in the hands of elected politicians (where there is some level of accountability) or that of the corporate big wigs whose only drive is that of profit?

What does Sarah Palin have to say about health care and the high cost of college tuition? Anyone can read from a teleprompter and make sarcastic comments about the other candidate. Educated women are more concerned about substance and not impressed by a woman who stoops to that level. Sarah Palin is being used by the McCain campaign.

Sorry madam you are been used to try to capture women's votes. It's a pity.
For Mcbush you are just an object like his money to grab votes!
You really need a re-think.
Should Mcbush become president expect to play his secretary and house mate

Community Organizers have responsiblities. They are fighting for AMERICAN CITIZENS LIVES
DIRECTLY!!!!!!

GAWD THIS IS PISSING ME OFF!!!!

MY GRANDMOTHER DEVOTED HER LIFE TO THE VERY COMMUNITY ORGANIZER THAT SHE SPOKE ABOUT

She fought for disabled children YOU -man im not even going to there. She is just a pitbull with lipstick, no brain!!!!

OMG!!!!!!! I was so set in my mind to be proud but go against her so bad full hearted. BUT TONIGHT!!! she got this independent fired up about what women can do with families. I'm proud for just women not for the ticket. OBAMA 08

Was this the White People National Convention?

I tried to locate any person of color in the crowd and located 3 in about an hour. That is a disgrace.

Yes, all of that would have been nice if it had been crafted in her own words; however that was not the case. Reports show that every part of her speech was written by McCain speechwriters who took her through the process of memorizing and practicing her speaking abilities before an audiance. Moreover, she, as well as John McCain, has a lot of nerves to criticize the media for vetting this woman better than what he should have. I think the media has done a fine job of covering Palin. McCain doesn't like the fact that the information that he is learning about his VP is unflattering; therefore, he blames the "liberal" media for picking on her. Furthermore, stop with this notion about people being sexist because they expose the truth about a candidate. Not once has Obama accused the media of racial bias when he has gotten unflattering press. McCain should take a page from Obama's book. McCain picked this woman for that same reason: to use as a scapegoat to keep the media from criticizing him or his policies. Many out-of-touch, out-of-the-mainstream, right-wingers will fall for this ploy, but the majority of the informed voters will not.

Great speech...She makes a wonderful choice for the radical right. But, 4 more years of Bush is what they are offering and she can't change that fact.

Plus – She tried to ban books at public libraries, wants to make abortion a crime (even for rape victims), vetoed a bill that supported teen moms and a long list of misconceptions that are inconsistent with what the campaign has promoted palin as being.

My 2 cents

wrong

Tone

Obama Biden 08/12

The sex card is being played even in the press. They are trying to tie the hands of the democrats.

I remain .......A PROUD AMERICAN AND A PROUD DEMOCRAT!
She has changed nothing. All i hear is mockery and condescending statements. She is no longer a victim that GOP tried to lael her. The moment of truth is at hand. Her bootcamp coaches better prep her for facing the media and not a prompter.

OBAMA BIDEN 08'

There's a novelty about Sarah Palin that won't wear off for a few more days, but when it does, it should still be very clear that she's a much better communicator than McCain. I still think the main reason Barack didn't choose Hillary as his running mate was because he was afraid the media would be more focused on her throughout his presidency. McCain just might have set himself up for the same outcome.

I just can’t believe the republican's stupidity! I read about a segment with NBC's Chuck Todd ended today, Republican consultant Mike Murphy and Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan were caught on a live microphone ridiculing the choice of Sarah Palin. "It's over," said Noonan, and then responded to a question of whether Palin is the most qualified Republican woman McCain could have chosen. I am waiting to see how the republicans will spin this! Now, they are trying to say or spin that Sarah Palin has a better background, more experience than Barack Obama. I just can’t take it anymore! Let’s do a comparison! Barack Obama received a B.A. in political Science from Columbia University, specializing in international relations, J.D. in Law from Harvard University, graduated magna cum laude; President of the Harvard Law Review. Sarah Palin received Bachelor’s in Journalism from University of Idaho. Barack Obama spent 12 years (1992-2004) teaching Constitutional Law, 7 years state Senator (where he sponsored more than 800 bills), 4 years as Senator for Illinois, a state with population of 12.8 million people. Sarah Palin, spent 4 years on Wasilla City council(pop 8000), 6 years as Wasilla Mayor, 1 year as Ethics Commissioner of Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, 20 months as Governor of a state with pop 660,000. Do the Republicans really think we're so stupid that we would believe she is more experienced than Obama? Give me a break! Now, What do we know about Palin’s husband who has been a member of the Alaska Independent Party, he withdrew membership in 2000. I heard their is actual proof republicans cant sweep that under the rug. If you don’t understand what the Alaska Independent Party is in short they are a party that want the United States to be seperated from Alaska! John McCain has a definite judgment problem; so does the republican party! So, you can't say anything about Gov. Palin's family but you can attack Senator Obama's wife. I hope voters aren't fooled by this double standard!
It is alright to talk about the democratic women but not the republican women! You can talk about African American woman, but you can’t talk about a White woman! This show just how pathetic and desperate the republicans are, they will say or do anything to stay in office or get into the highest office of the land!

Gergen,

I guess you are realizing what a JEWEL Governor Palin and why Obama and his campaign is SCARED OUT OF THEIR PANTS.

PUMA 2008!

THAT WAS THE MOST HATEFUL SPEECH I HAVE EVER SEEN. IF SHE WANTS A WAR SHE'S GOT ONE!!

Can someone tell Campbell Brown why she's touting the McCain campaign?

So let me get this right... Palin can criticize Dems, even PERSONALLY, as much as she wants, and Dems just have to stay silent?

Get a life Ms .Brown! Obviously, the McCain campaign's intimidation worked. Just because Palin is a woman does not shield her from any criticism. After all, I thought she's a bulldog? IF she can't take the heat, then she needs to get out of the kitchen.

She can't use her kids as photo ops, including talking at length about her child with down syndrome, but expect no questions on her readiness to be VP.

I'm confused by the response to Palin's speech. The media consensus seemed to be that the previous speakers–Romney, Giuliani, and Huckabee–were ugly and offensive in their remarks. I fail to see how Sarah Palin was any less offensive with her comments about community organizers, terrorism, and small town values. Also, as a college student involved in public speaking, I have to say I didn't see a confident, polished speaker standing at the podium tonight. She dulled many of her sharpest lines by bumbling the delivery, and she seemed to be thrown off by appropriate applause. This was a highly anticipated address, but tonight the content crossed the line and her delivery was anticlimactic.

Great stand – up comedy routine, Palin! The Rebublicans found a great puppet to deliver months of frustration and pain they've been carring in her speech tonight at the good ole' boy lynching party. Sadly, she didn't say anything really substantial or take a position....just a lot of jabs and pot shots......This is what happens when you're losing. Hope the Obama camgaign will forget that she's a female and light into her, like a pit bull......send her back to Alaska with her head between her legs......

What a sad day for the GOP when they would perfer the VP to be at the top of the ticket. So let me get this straight, she wanted the bridge to nowhere before she started to run for VP. I have been told that she has stood up to her own party, that like McCain she is a reformer. Those are great talking points but wheres the proof. Putting the outdated state airplane up for sale doesn't make you a reformer, its what the governor of the second smallest state in the union tells McCain to get him to pick her.

Gergen,
Gag me with a blender.
Have you lost your mind?

don't insult Ann Richards..she was more like Ann Coulter.

It looks like to me that the Republican complaints about the media is working. I have been listening to the commentary of Sarah Palin's speech and it seems like everyone is second guessing what they should be saying. It worked for them before and it looks like it will work again. Are we still going to hear about how Biden should treat her in a debate. Funny, I never heard that people should treat Hillary diffently in a debate. Maybe, it was that she was qualified and hold her own.

Palin's first time on the national stage and all she did was spit out LOW BROW and INSULTING attacks against Obama and all the intelligent voters out there.

That's all fine and dandy, Mr. Gergen, but wait until girlfriend doesn't have someone writing the speech for her. She was as nasty as can be. My family found it most unappealing, totally disrespectful and ultimately unimpressive.

Game on, Palin.

This was a joke!! Big joke.

The way I saw her speech? Well, I see a lot of resumes and most of them look real good. However, the interviewing process has yet to begin and I'm curious as to how she is going to perform in that arena. My bet – Not good.

She is completely divisive and an insult to the intelligence of most voters.
It is exactly what I expected from the republicans – no surprise, more of the same. And further, any glimmers of reason in her speech were stolen from the democrats!

David I could not disagree more. I was a life long Republican until the last few years. I am no longer a Republican because of the the type of insults, half truths and complete disrespect for ones opponent that this brand of the RNC has become. The politics of Personal Destruction. Ike, Goldwater and Reagan never had to go there. They were all conservatives and decent men with honor and dignitaty. What I saw out of this convention today makes me furious. I see why Mr. Romney and Mr. Guilliani did not win the nominations with their uninspiring slander ridden speeches tonight. For Sarah Palin to except her parties nomination in the mocking tone and complete disregard for Senator Obama is not only low and trashing, it is downright UN American! I hope she stays in Alaska with here Ind. Alaska Party and never get the privilege to be part of the rest of the 49 other States that make up this great nation. Shameful, downright shameful. I am glad I got off the bus with this party with Mr. Dole in 1996 at a high water mark.

Write this down.
Tonight the Republican's have officially lost this election. I can see a pretty large upswing coming in the polls for Obama and eventually a (fairly) large victory in November.
The GOP showed the people of the United States that they have absolutely nothing to offer to make their lives any better than they are at this very moment. It's the same old lines over and over; insult, scare, insult, scare.
I believe what this country needs more than anything at this time in our history is a leader with a completly different point of view.
That leader is not in the Republican Party.

I tuned in tonight to hear a woman named Sarah Palin but she successfully caused me to not see her as a woman, but as a person, and someone plenty capable of serving as President BUT, I heard no solutions or real ideas tonight. I'm not a fan of attack politics, especially when it doesn't address real issues, and especially especially, when it doesn't come with any positives about the deliverer that would make me feel good about them. The country has changed, the younger generation can see through the real bitterness that is this type of politics.

Obama may take the gloves off but the state of the electorate is all about solutions, issues, and ideas, not biographies, geographies, and personalities.... far too much is at stake.

Take the gloves off people and go after these guys.

Just say no to 4 more years.

Well, maybe I'm just a "blue collar' teacher with a BS in Engineering and two Master's degrees....but I like Palin. This is someone I can support.

Her jabs at Obama were low and are bound to offend many, not just Obama supporters. Further, her smug, sarcastic tone, combined with her whiny, screechy delivery served to make her come across more as a student council debater than a potential VP.

What did she deliver? Rubbish!!! what did she say about how she will go about bettering the economy.Frankly speaking, Americans are not after personality and past glory, what they want is one who will rescue the nation from it;s economic woes. Since this republican convention started, they have only succeeded in singing praises of their nominees and forgeting the crucial issues at stake.they even foolishly and blindly sing the praises of their so called v.p nominee who is not ashamed to talk of family values when she couldn't teach her daughter enough on chastity and discipline. I pity the so called evangelicals who are rallying behind her and singing her praises.They should wait for God's visitation.they who thought that Abortion alone is sin while sex and pregnancy out of wedlock should be a thing of praises.God will pay back when tenagers began to get pregnant because of the red light they are giving them now.

Wow! Is that speech really hitting it out of the ballpark.? It was nothing more than "traditional" politics. Nothing but low blows and empty promises. She should pick up some tips on delivering a speach "real" woman style from Mrs. Clinton!! As I see it, that was not a speech from a potential Vice President but more like a speak from the PTG President. Stick to you day job lady!

WOW!!! The libs did not expect this. If I was Biden I would start get ready for Sarah the Baracuda in the VP debate.

Wow it's funny that the old guy has to send a Woman to do his fighting?

I think she mad MCcain seem like he been sleep this whole time.

I understand why they picked her who were they gonna get Meg Whitmen from ebay? But they are wrong for the country. I'm not going to give them another for years to fix the last eight. They the GOP had their shot let's give Obama a try.

Palin's speech tonight was awful in my opinion. It had horrible flow and she came off as condesending about Obama. It is surprising that she would give a negative view of herself the first time people are see her.

I HEARD PALIN'S SPEECH, SHE DID WELL READING WHAT WAS WRITTEN FOR HER, BUT, I REALLY DO NOT CARE ABOUT HER LOVING FAMILY OR HOW MUCH SHE LOVES HER CHILDREN. WHAT I DO CARE ABOUT IS : WHAT IS SHE GOING TO DO TO HELP ME GET MY HEALTH INSURANCE BACK, HELP MY HUSBAND GET A JOB, HELP MY 93 YEAR OLD DAD PAY FOR HIS PRECRIPTIONS, HELP ME KEEP MY MOTHER IN THE NURSING HOME, AND HOW WILL SHE HELP ME PUT BREAD ON MY TABLE AND MILK IN THE FRIG? THERE ARE REAL LIFE ISSURES ON THE TABLE AND SHE DID NOT REALLY TALK ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS. YES IT IS NICE TO SEE A WOMEN ON THE TICKET, BUT WHEN THE BABY CRIES WILL SHE BE THERE FOR ME OR THE BABY. I KNOW THE ANSWER, I AM A MOTHER OF TWIN BOYS.

It was such a depressing speech...attack attack attack.

I wish the Republicans would do something different. Great speech...but it only served to push me further to the left.

Palin is a real ballbuster! Republicans finally got it right. Get the women out of the kitchen and into leadership positions.

It seems to me that the ambition of Mrs Palin are more important than the interest of her kids. Sadly she will sacrifice the family life to be a bulldog for John Mc Cain . It shows also how Mc Cain care about people and how bad his judgement is.
Wake up people, the issue here is economy. Stong economy meen strong dollard, and everything follow.

For me her speech just further justified my choice to pick the Obama/Biden ticket to lead this country. Throughout her speech I felt as if she was at times outright lying, or just insulting urban voters. She says she left Alaska in a surplus when in fact it's not hard when your sitting under oil. Then she credits herself with fighting wasteful spending even though she campaigned for the bridge to nowhere which cost the state of Alaska some $250mil.

And honestly, why would anyone say Community Organizers don't require responsibility?

oh, it was good but now the game is on. Republicans like to throw the first punch but we will see who gets knocked out.

yes she is a pitbull, just ask her daughter. more importantly her son-in-forced-law. those poor kids never had a chance to choose their life plan.
thats the republican way, they have been that way since the beginning of time. and this time all of AMERICA was watching.

are you better of than you were 4 yrs ago- 8 years ago?

study now shows average people do better when dems in office

What? Seriously? You found this to be a good speech? As an independent, I was not really impressed. The speech was packed full of the usual Republican fear-mongering (911, evil terrorists), references to McCain's time as a POW, a long with the usual jokes and patriotic lines to get standing ovations–it was like a big show. Palin failed to fully clarify who she is, and her vision for this country–she only re-stated what the press has been saying about her for the past few weeks. I don't feel that I know her any better. Sorry.

I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ONE WOMAN crying when Joe hits back, talking about how could he talk that way to a woman.

I agree with the comments. The delivery of the speech was flawless. She was a bit tough on Obama, but then again she is running against the Obama/Biden ticket. I can't wait to see more of her over the next few weeks and see how she does in unscripted interviews. I suspect she will hold her own.

Campbell Brown just did it.

Palin can use what ever language she likes, yet the word shrill is too tough to use against a woman...

Campbell, you don't have to pander because a senator got in a tiff because of you questioning Tucker. I'm glad to see him off the air...

Brilliant...

Me First!! Delivers what?

Sarah Palin, was very right when she described hockey moms as pittbulls with lipstick. She came across as a pittbull tonight. She took herself from the position of victim in the wake of her breaking family scandals, to the position of attack dog for the republican party. She went on a harsh tirade that blasted her Democratic competitors and showed her lack of knowledge or utter disregard for many of the factsof their campaign. She needs to stop twisting facts and say it straight. I feel that her speak and nomination is an attempt by the Republican party to refocuse the election from the issues that truely face the nation and get it back to the good ole boy politics of mud throwing. I will say that I am very disappointed in her. I was excitied to have two historic political tickets to chose from, but now know the Republicans never intended to take her seriously. She is a hack for the Republican party and I expect and election season in which she throws many dirty blows in an attempt to muddle the political waters.

Following Gov. Palin's speech, tonight the Democrats have increased their lead in the fight for the Presidency of the United States.

Campbell and Tara are both wrong. If she comes out and says negative things about them – they should be able to come out the same about her. As the saying goes – if you want to stomp with the big dogs you also have to accept being stepped on.

If you thought she was coarse, rude, insulting and undignafied you're obviously sexist.

Gloves are off, so dont complain any more when we speak our minds about how incompetent she is, America is not a third world country, we will not accept this woman as a vp to half dead 72 year old.

It seems well delivered. But sounded like someone else wrote it. I was hoping for something more authentic. I guess it was a good sermon for the choir.

Amazing that CNN is only reporting support for this terrible speech. More of the same empty speech. Our country is ready to move on from hatred and division. As an African American woman I was uplifted to see all kinds of people together supporting a common cause at the DNC. I admit I had hardened a bit and forgotten what this country was about. When I saw the DNC it reminded me that we are all in this together. We all were Gods people. What in the world was this tonight. Put gender and race aside and vote common sense. Vote for who genuinely cares for the common person. Don't be fooled by fear and lies. Enough eight years is enough!

Looks like Roseann Barr is alive and well

It was a good speech, they have a great writer and she had 4 days and nights to practice. It doesnt change the fact that it will still be 4 more years of the last 8 we have had. I heard drill, and I heard war among many other things!!! We need change and a McCain Palin ticket wont give us that change!!

Also she cant claim sexism anymore....many of the buttons the reublicans were wearing were callign her a HOT VP from a cold sate! That is sexist!!!

Game on!!!

Obama/Biden 08

Oh come on.....all this complaining today of sexist and piling on, give me a break. Talk about double talk....where I come from, "thanks, but no thanks" means you give the money back for the bridge to nowhere, NOT keep it and spend it elsewhere. That's shaking up Washington and reforming...sounds more like the same old, same old. Where's the beef about the economy, health care, and how to end the billion dollar war!!! Don't tell me what is wrong with the Dems...tell me what you can do for me, middle america.

She speaks tough like she can handle whatever might be thrown her way so let the show began and their should be no kid gloves when you pick a fight you are expected to be tough enough to handle whatever comes your way so lets see the what she is made of.

Palin was very submissive to the Repulican base and delivered the intended speech as prepared by the McCain Campaign. I must admit that after hearing the sarcasm, condesending remarks and seeing the fingerpointing, I am convinced that she tried to use her political status to have her ex-brother-in-law fired! 100%

deliered what???

Questions....Will a VP Palin live in Washington D.C. with family,Will she endorse Ted Stevens,How many oil wells have been drilled in all of Alaska over the Last Eight Years ? THANK YOU-David Gergen for President !!!!

So it's back to the old tricks – tell lies enough times and people will believe you – I hope that after 8 years Americans figure the deal. As to Palin's speech – you show some skill I'll give you that, but you're short on substance – you see Republican majority senate is responsible for 6 years of failed policies followed by almost 2 years of bush's veto to Democratic majority senate – so the only way to fix this raped country is to get a Democratic president – and we Americans get it.

Democrat here who was very impressed with Palin's speech. Job well done. However, still likely leading towards Obama, but not for sure.

She came across as very mean and condescending, She just turned alot of woman off. Just read the blogs.

Where's the substance in that speech? Sarah was slick in her blatant attacks, however, I didn't hear anything about her policies or her beliefs. How would that speech sway anyone who's critically thinking?

I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ONE WOMAN crying when Joe hits back, talking bout how could to talk that way to a woman.

I think Palin was way out of her league to say Obama has not done nothing and to basically belittle his historic accomplishments. I think she came out a little strong.

Nonetheless, its Obama/Biden2008

The game is now on! Since she is able to dish out attacks, she better be able to take them. Again, the Repubs have wasted another night of not talking about how they will help this economy. Remember Bush was a governor with so call "experience" and see where he has led us. When we start attacking her, and we will, the whinners better not holler that we are beating up on a woman. I am a woman myself and if I am going to play with the "Big Boys" I better be able to take the licks. The Repubs think they can use her as an attack dog and holler when she is attacked. Well it will not work! Dems, do not allow McSame to use this woman to attack and not attack her back. Hit her just as hard as you hit McSame.

That journalism degree and stints as an on-air sports announcer seems to have benefited Sarah Palin. Her delivery of the red-meat speech crafted for her by the McCain brain trust was a pretty good serving of smarmy, dismissive and mocking rhetoric – the perfect republican dish – complimented by the cherry red GOP kool-aid served up by Mitt, Huck and Rudy.

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani is a delusional speaker to say Sarah Palin is one of the “most successful and most popular mayors ever.” What an absolute joke and insulting to the intelligence of the people of these United States of America! I didn’t know being the former mayor of 8,000 qualifies as being successful. My neighborhood has more people than that. LOL. You can’t ignore the fact that she maybe become the second most powerful person of the free world and I’m sure that Americans are smart enough to know that she is not even close to being qualified to run my beloved country. I consider myself an average American and you can poll the average American and I’d say that at least 95% of us have never heard of Sarah Palin until McCain made his announcement and that number is being generous! Is the Republican Party that weak and desperate that they do not have a more qualified Republican to represent them than the governor of a state that’s not even more populated than our smallest state, Rhode Island? The people of America deserve better than this! Cheap attacks will not work in this campaign and I can not wait to have Barack Obama and Joe Biden to represent this great country so that the people of America can breathe easier once again with hopes of making our country the proud country it should be and will be once again!!! I just watched Sarah Palin speak and I am not one bit impressed with cheap biting rhetoric and can not see her being my vice president of these United States! This only has made my decision that much easier for me to vote for the Obama/Biden ticket and hope you do to. Joseph

Campbell Brown-no wonder no one could take you seriously.

They were shrill attacks-you cannot stand there and take aim at everone in the crowd, like a sniper-and then bat your eyes and say "how dare you".
How dare you Campbell Brown...This woman can tell the difference!
I guess that would only anger the beauty queens.
To think that any woman with half a brain would be insulted by that term is basicly ignorant!

What's with this "shrill" business from Campbell Brown????? Why are you deliberately trying to generate an issue by parsing out the meaning of Harry Reid's comment????

THAT'S NOT YOUR JOB!!

This is why people hate the press.

Well presented speech. No substance. I'm not one of the women that is carried away because her family is on stage. The republicans are playing games while our country , our environment and way of life are in peril. I don't like the idea of someone trying to handle me through lies and scare tactics. Can we please hear about the issues and stop with the POW rhetoric.

Obama/Biden 08

The McCain camp better not pull the gender card constantly. The former CEO of HP already is doing that along with Michelle Bachman congress woman. If you sell a jet on ebay, I guess that means you are qualified for president. Bologna.

You are so bias David.
You can't stand the fact that this women is much more than your "community organizer". She is the new power and she is going to get a lot of Hillary voters.
McCain 2008
Hillary 2012

I am an Alaskan resident and I will commend Sarah Palin for a fine speech. A speech that was all about slashing Obama and the Democratic Party. I am proud to be an independent that will continue to support my candidate, Barack Obama, a man that will not stoop the low depths of the Republican Party. This election is not about hard hits, it is about the future of our nation and it is clear the Republicans only care about winning their votes with fear and absolutely no real change defined.

David:
I'm disappointed in your take. I've always been impressed by your insightful analysis, but you and many of your colleagues seem to be reacting to the McCain campaign's harsh critique of your Palin pursuit. I think you missed objectivity on this one.
You've (CNN) been fawning over a hateful and snarky high school speech.
Step back, take a deep breath, clear your head, and read the transcript. All hate, no substance.
Palin had a chance to endear herself to middle America. Instead, she pandered to the base and spewed the same vitriol this Country has endured for too many elections.

She's a pit bull, but I don't think that makes her a good leader. She came off as fake to me, like the popular girl who never loses. Her speech would be better suited for student council or maybe even school board. And don't say my comments are sexist because I'm a woman who has seen too many of these Barbie cheerleader types. They generally crash and burn in the end–all polish and no substance.

Did anyone else noticed that she AGAIN mentioned her son's unit and when they were deploying? Would someone please tell her that this endangers him and his unit? Is she that stupid? You didn't hear Biden even mention that his son is also leaving soon. Experience or blind ambition? Intelligence or just the abiltiy to read a canned speech from a prompter (didn't they also rip Obama for that?) So much for McCain's civil campaign. he has lost control of the party, which means the party will run him should he be elected. Pray God no.

I'll take Obama/Biden over these mean-spirited clowns. Obama has been a true gentleman regarding her family, and she repays him by taking a swipe at Michelle (I'm always proud to be an American) and many lies about Obama. He HAS reached across the aisle and sponsored some important legislation. The GOP might try FactCheck if indeed they cared about the truth. But if they did, she'd have to stop claiming that she stopped the bridge. What she did was take the money and run!
Maybe this will come out at the debate, cause she isn't shooting straight.

Ms. Palin is everything the Democrats have been claiming Obama is and more.

She is authentic.

She is honest.

She is an average American.

Obama doesn't stand a chance.

McCain/ Palin '08

Palin 2012

Gergen, How can you call such a hate-filled speech that is more about Obama than the real issues that face America positive??? Have you lost your mind??

You journalists have lost your mind...people are suffering in this country and all you can do is say who was best at attacking Obama??? Where is your sense of decency?

Clearly, due to your negligent reporting, you keep steering this election towards McCain..do you really understand the consequences of McCain as president???

Censor this if you want...that is what you can do best...bask in the divisive politics of the republicans.

Community organizers have responsibilities. They are directly impacting and helping people save their homes, get jobs, anything necessary to keep the community moving. How dare she refer to community organizer do not have responsibilities. A community organizer helped my family keep my house.

The only reason McCain had to choose Palin is that he could not find anyone smaller than himself. He needed to boost his Napoleaonic complex and actually have someone that would have to look up to him.

I guess that is what happens to old war heros. No wonder he is itching to get into another conflict. Trying to relive your wonder years ain't gonna fix this country Johnny!

I cannot believe that people are excited about this woman!!!! She read a scripted speech that bored me to death. I am not impressed at all with her.

blah blah blah.

cobert nation and daily show were to the point and hilarious.

absolutely entertaining and informative at once.

who needs neo-con spin doctirs parading as mainstream corporate news media?

Wow! Community organizers can't bring about a change! I guess leaders like Martin L. King did not bring about any changes in our country. Get realllll.

Palin Delivers? What did she deliver? She lied about Obama's proposed policies. She did not detail (nor will McCain) what they will do to fix the problems 8 years of Republican rule has caused.. She delivered a propaganda commercial, essentially.

The nastiness she employed against Obama might have displayed to folks that she is tough.. Well, after he has been such a gentleman to her regarding her daughter and all, it was just plain shameful. She could have explained the differences of what they will do as opposed to what he wants to do. Instead, she offered one liner insults.

People are tired of the routine and archaic bashing of 'liberals.' They are trying to tell us they are the agents of the change we so badly need, when they have been the architects of all that is wrong in this country for the last 8 years. People aren't going to buy it.

When she is in a debate with Biden, and doesn't have a prepared speech that she spent two days memorizing... or a teleprompter... let's see how confident she is then.

PREPARED SPEECH OR NOT, THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT GOING AWAY:

Former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan showed copies of the e-mails to The Washington Post. He didn't provide copies to the newspaper, but said he has turned copies over to an investigator probing the firing for the Legislature.

The Post reported on its Web site that the e-mails were sent from Palin's personal Yahoo account. In one, dated Feb. 7, 2007, it says of the investigation of Wooten: "This trooper is still out on the street, in fact he's been promoted."

"It was a joke, the whole long 'investigation' of him," says the e-mail, sent giving Monegan permission to speak before a bill being heard by the Legislature. "This is the same trooper who's out there today telling people the new administration is going to destroy the trooper organization, and that he'd 'never work for that b '," Palin'.)"

The second e-mail was sent July 17, 2007, discussing a bill before lawmakers that would prevent the mentally ill from having guns.

The e-mail says the first thought "went to my ex-brother-in-law, the trooper, who threatened to kill my dad yet was not even reprimanded by his bosses and still to this day carried a gun, of course."

Palin delivered alright, she delivered the most arrogant and smug toned speech so far. Her negative attacks against the Obamas' out shined the information about her and her family. After hearing this speech I feel as if, the families who are struggling to pay their bills, the single parent with no healthcare for her child, our troops, and our nation are own their own. I refuse to vote for a hockey mom who mocks "community organizers" who work hard to help their local communities. She has mocked all those small town workers and those people who work in their local communities to make them better. It will be a sad day if this woman is a heartbeat away from the presidency.

I don't give a rip how well she relates. Remember how well George Bush related before each election. I want a person who deals effectively with foreign policy, our national economy and health care. I do not want us to vote for someone based on their popularity but how who is knowledgable about the issues and intelligent to boot. American, why do we insist on electing Presidents just like us, the common man/woman??? A president should be smarter than most of us. After all, he/she is running for the highest job in the land? Why do some Americans look down on intelligence? Do we really want a clueless president? I don't care how well Obama or McCain relate to us, I care about HOW they handle and solve important issues.

Delivered? This was the meanest speech by a woman I ever heard. She reminds me of a teacher everyone hated in school.

Though she did very well, I think there was something cheap and degrading about the speech. Whoever advised her to be sarcastic made a big mistake. It was forced and unappealing . An opponent is fair game, but she spoke in such derogatory terms about Obama that it seemed almost personal. She is a natural communicator, and I felt she was at her best when she spoke about energy. It will be a shame if they use her as a pitbull with lipstick. She's better than that.
Thank you,
Mary Talmi

Did anybody catch the graphics "gaffe" on CNN's part as Arizona gave its delegate votes to put McCain over the top? It announced McCain as the "Democratic Nomination Winner"......wait....is this not the REPUBLICAN National Convention?? Accidental or on purpose......really??????????? I am so tired of the media's treament of this election. Makes one long for the "good ol' days" when it was just the party's and the candidates' slinging mud and inaccuracies....now we have to deal with the media as well!!!

Fasten the seat belts... game is on. The Democrats must forget she is a female. Gender has nothing to do with this unless her position as a mother with an infant with Down's can distrack her. What has to be looked at is whether you believe in a separation of church and state; whether you are environmently conscious; whether you are committed to getting off oil dependence; whether you want the Supreme Court to have some balance; whether women should have choice; whether you believe one part is more tuned into the economy issues; whether there is a belief of a plan to deal with Iraq; whether the costs of healthcare can be contained; and whether your leaders have a leadership vision and have a team to put into place to implement it. So it's the issues. I could care less of the Pres is male or female and VP is male or female.

There is a problem. She can be snide, schoolma'amish, waving her finger at the naughty Democrats and Press; Sarah Palin can be a shrieking bloody harpy... knowing full well that NOBODY can get away with calling her any such thing... let alone the word that rhymes with 'rich'.

She is that, she knows it. She's the smiling pit-bull in lipstick, who can't actually be called the b-word, or even anything remotely similar.

Criticising her back is going to be tricky.

Governor Palin's speech was just superb tonight! I am most impressed with her as a woman leader. I listened to every word of her message to America this evening and was moved by the way she made her points perfectly clear. I am a 46 year old mother of a 10 and 7 year old, and can feel her energy and dedication as a mother but also as a political figure that will be perfect for the United States as our Vice President.

Palin is a joke. Ok so she can read and use a sarcastic and nasty tone. BUT she didn't say one thing about how SHE would help the country. Tearing down Obama isn't a platform.. that's a bad attitude.
I suppose the one positive thing is that she's offically removed the "whining" and sexism excuse.. so we women can wash our hands of her.

I hope the Media and Dems let her have it... oh and as Hillary would say "if you can't stand the heat .. get out of the kitchen"

Palin delivered a rousing speech to a willing audience that was written by McCain operatives. The question is how will she do when she is not scripted, and has to answer questions off the cuff. The next 60 days will tell the tale. I'm sure everyone has the gloves off now.

Palin scares me and I hope people will do their homework. I have read more than several disturbing posts regarding this candidate and I pray people are not shallow enough to vote for her because she looks good and has a family. All of the candidates have families.

One excerpt relating to Palin: (Speaking before the Pentecostal church, Palin painted the current war in Iraq as a messianic affair in which the United States could act out the will of the Lord.)

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

Religion, however, was not strictly a thread in Palin's foreign policy. It was part of her energy proposals as well. Just prior to discussing Iraq, Alaska's governor asked the audience to pray for another matter - a $30 billion national gas pipeline project that she wanted built in the state. "I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that," she said.

I don't see what God has to do with war.

Not one solution to America's problem. No vision. same old, same old. Tear each other down.

This is truly bogus. She has free reign to attack anyone yet if you attack her it's sexist. At what point can you say anything about her and it not be considered sexist.

Palin's comments are noted and she appears to be a tough executive. My biggest reservation is that all this "tough" talk is lost on her pregnant daughter. Clearly we as taxpayers pick up the slack for unwed and pregnant teen as they have their children and it would be interesting if Sarah had such "tough" talk for her own family members.

I saw a few tokens in the audience. I think they were told that Tina Turner was performing. Or maybe they were told if they come in they would receive 2 nights at the hotel for free.

And 4. This is a woman who puts a job before her child. We all heard and see that she has a special needs INFANT. Instead of parading your son around at this hour in such a loud atmosphere, mom, maybe next time can you forget about your personal agenda and look out for the needs of your child and keep him home with a BABYSITTER!! And dad, did you not see you little girl wiping her spit and poking at your drugged up, i mean sleeping child. How, dad, do you plan to care for your children while your wife is at work, when you have shown the world that your judgement is a little off to have a little kid watching your special needs infant in such a manner. Can I repeat INFANT. Is there a Child Protective Services in Alaska or is this not considered neglectful parenting. Will the repugs just blow this all off as being cute?!?

CNN please post my comment!!

Although there were very charming moments in this well written speech,
I could not help to wonder what place Mrs. Palins' cynicism would have on the World Stage. I do not think that John McCain is the second coming of Bush but after tonight , I do think Palin might be. Anyone in the political arena can have a good night.... but I can't help to think about this "Pitbull with Lipstick " dealing with World Powers like Putin. The world is much larger than the United States and its time we stop thinking of ourselves as individual teams rather than a world community that needs to figure out ways of getting along in diplomatic ways.

Thanks for your comments, David. You're right. While Democrats are supporting an Obama nation, Republicans are energized like never before, both in contributions and in volunteers. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!!!!!

What?
That was a mockery, it was a comedy routine, it lacked substance.
All she did was insult obama on being a community organizer, not putting country first.
This was a preemptive strike against Obama therefore the Obama ticket needs a nuclear response to this childish speech.

Compared to Obama speech this was a Yo Mamma Joke.

i will have to say this was a great speech and she did a great job giving it Palin is bring excitement back to this politic race.

She has my vote. If the Democrats can't take a few hits, they have no business running.

As a woman, and after listening to Sarah Palin's speech, I am not inspired to vote for McCain/Palin; however, I'm convinced more than ever that the Democrats made a mistake in not nominating HIllary Clinton for President OR Vice-President. I believe in the power of women, and Hillary Clinton in particular, and she belongs on the Democratic ticket.

But, for me, this election is about the issues, not personalities or gender, so I support Obama/Biden.

Well, all I have to say is that Palin did deliver and she "dish" it very well she BETTER be prepared to take it as well.....hope she's wearing her armor suit!....GO OBAMA!!!

Sarah, way to go. You make me proud to be a republican, a Goldwater Republican. Keep it up, we love you , and will work till nov.,and your teams victory. GO GOP.

once agian CNN got it wrong about the bridse to nowhere. if you hearrd corrctly,shemay have been for the bridge but overrunscausedher to cancel the bridge!!!!!

Sara Palin’s ignored women’s concerns dealing with child pregnancy and equal pay. She instead chooses to side with right wing America and attack the media without sound reason; calling them left winged, for reporting what little has been procured in this rushed bedding. Her speech presents a number of possible factual errors describing previously held positions as governor of Alaska. For example, she criticizes the opposition for intending to raise certain taxes, when in fact she raised taxes in her State. She also takes credit on voting against the construction of the so many times mentioned bridge, when in fact she initially voted for it, and later voting against it. In what should be one of the most important speeches of this candidate much is avoided. No mention of any social issues, and a clear avoidance of foreign issues. How can this inexperienced candidate, who clearly ignores her most representative constituency be a trusted public figure.

While I agree that her delivery was one of confidence, I must object to her manner of denigrating the people who do not necessarily support McCain and his issues. She came across as a very tough, snide, condescending individual. I personally am weary of the nasty, sarcastic, take-anyone-on mentality that we have had to put up with in the last eight years. She definitely is not a person that I would want speaking on my behalf with other leaders of the world during a global crisis.

If this girl's a pitbull, then I am a leprechaun. Her speech while spiteful and relatively well crafted was delivered like a challenge from a grade school bully who'd never been hit before . . . shaking underneath such brazen and empty threats. Peace be with her in the coming days.

That was the most hateful night of convention coverage I've ever seen. It was bitter, divisive and straight out of the Dick Cheney playbook. We've had enough of that.

Too much sarcasm tarnished her charm. She came off more like a comedian at a roast then "Presidential". I think the speech writers put one to many zingers. And is it just me, but how do you put a 4 month old baby in a crowd of 20,000 people roaring and screaming. Not good maternal instincts if you ask me.

SORRY GERGEN, I DISAGREE. SHE DIDN'T DELIVER, IN FACT SHE JUST HELPED ME MAKE MY DECISION ONCE AND FOR ALL- OBAMA/BIDEN 08!

This is a woman who puts a job before her child. We all heard and see that she has a special needs INFANT. Instead of parading your son around at this hour in such a loud atmosphere, mom, maybe next time can you forget about your personal agenda and look out for the needs of your child and keep him home with a BABYSITTER!! And dad, did you not see you little girl wiping her spit and poking at your drugged up, i mean sleeping child. How, dad, do you plan to care for your children while your wife is at work, when you have shown the world that your judgement is a little off to have a little kid watching your special needs infant in such a manner. Can I repeat INFANT. Is there a Child Protective Services in Alaska or is this not considered neglectful parenting. Will the repugs just blow this all off as being cute?!?

Game on! The VP Debates are going to great.

Just remember pit bulls are also known to turn on their masters.

I don't understand the pundits incessant praise of this speech. It was strident, sarcastic, and had no real substance. The usual Republican party BS that appeals to the right wing evangelicals. To heck with the rest of the country when you have them in your corner.

Dear CNN Editorial people. You held my comment of 7:30am this morning under editorial advisement for over eight hours, and I don't know if you ever released it. In between, you published the comments of 120 others. Unfortunately, mine supported McCain. I am sorry that you disagreed with the way I wrote it. It was not nasty, vicious, or uneducated. Perhaps you did not like the reference to energy policy. Governor Palin seems to have made my point this evening.

You must be joking!! The Demonuts are surprised at her getting personal!!! Have you missed the liberal media hysteria for the past three days? Another typical case of the dems dishing out what they can' take.
HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA-you libs must be trembling in your boots!!
You're so done!!! Great job Sarah!!! She's my symphony !!!

CNN Be warned don't start this bee's nest of SEXISM.

It is ridiculous!! Don't start parsing words.

ENOUGH

OBAMA/BIDEN 08 & 12

the republicans are counting on the women in this country to act irrationally and vote for this person based solely on gender. The irony in this is that by electing McCain, the appointments he makes to the supreme court will set women's rights back 40 years. There was a time when I really liked John McCain, but he sold his soul when he started pandering to the right wing establishment and taking advice from Karl Rove.

I didn't here anything that would make me want to listen to her long term. Her delivery was flat and unprofessional. The audience didn't seem to know how or when to react. She actually stepped on the punchline about community organizing by giving the hockey mom joke – which was the only funny line in the whole speech.

Also, how junior high is it to call Obama "our opponent" over and over again?

Then again, I'm a parent of a special needs kid who knows John McCain doesn't give a crap about them, so maybe I'm just p.o.'d she pimped out her baby with Down Syndrome tonight.

I didn't like her sneering. Do they think that makes her tough?

Palin is good looking but that's about it. She has no foreign policy experience or knowledge. She didn't even say anything about health care. She's clearly not qualified. How dare she make fun of Barack's service as a community organizer! He chose it instead of making millions at wall street. I think that alone shows a lot about his character. John McBush should have picked Tom Ridge or Mitt Romney. On the foreign policy front, I'm as qualified as Palin!

If the point of tonight's speeches was to highlight everything that is wrong with American politics, Giuliani and Palin indeed hit this one out of the park. No substance, no debate on the issues, just attack, attack, attack. If I didn't know any better, I would swear that Giuliani's speech was written by Daily Show writers as biting parody/satire. As far as Palin, they can doll this woman up all they want. They can spin her "experience" into a black hole of logic and reason. It doesn't change the fact that she is a right wing extremist outside of the American mainstream. Former Hilary supporters who are now supporting McCain/Palin because they are "energized" by Palin's nomination are disgusting, worthless slabs of meat. Hilary and Obama are aligned on about 90% of the issues. The only thing Hilary and this woman align on is what type of genitalia they possess. She represents everything Hilary has spent her entire adult life fighting against.

What remains to be seen now is whether or not the Republicans will let her take as good as she gets.
To date, they've demanded the kid gloves only on this candidate, and with all the screaming of sexism they've been throwing at the Dems and the media, after tonight's glib and sarcastic attacks, the y'd better not be asking for those gloves from this point forward. If they do, they will be the sexists.

Welcome to the election, Sarah. You are about to be vetted....by EVERYONE!