September 3, 2008
Posted: September 3rd, 2008 11:09 PM ET

From

ST PAUL (CNN) –- Palin is giving an effective speech –- if a very long one - that puts her family life on the table.

She seems very comfortable on stage, as she becomes the latest speaker of the night to take a swipe at Michelle Obama.

Watch: Palin says she has 'actual responsibilities'

Her experience on the energy issue is very valuable in this campaign – it’s an issue on which she can speak with some authority, and holds a lot of appeal for voters this cycle.

But she’s going out on a limb here – it’s a little risky for her to go after Obama on experience, as she’s doing right now.

Filed under: Michelle Obama • RNC • Republican National Convention • Sarah Palin


changing times   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

She did not offer one solution, all she did was bash, bash and more bashing. The entire night was shameful and downright mean. Obama has treated her with dignity and respect. But then he is a respectful man.

The country is in big trouble with these two and this party.

Very condescending!!

Ms Wright   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Palin's speech was more a 1st lady speech

She should have switched places with Cindy (clueless) Mccain

Can't wait for the Debates

Hope she's ready to fight, cause she throw alot of jabs....

This is not gonna be pretty!!!

Obama 08/12

Clinton, no, wait, McCain Supporter   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Say what you will. The Dems are in deep .... The reporters and "analysts" might think it's ugly, nasty, oh, so awful, but I bet America LOVES this.

She hit it right on the head with her description of Obama. Community Organizer...I loved it. And Giuliani was dynamite! "Present" doesn't cut it in New York – and not in DC either!

All the Obama lovers are squealing and bleating because at long last someone is giving it back to Obama!!

THE TRUTH   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

I feel sorry for her. She is getting ready to get tore out the frame by Obama's team. lol lol What was she thinking.

Military Man   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

It was a good speech.

Bravo, Govenor ... you've come closer to winning over my support.

Greg Funk   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

They say she is an expert at energy, she has a four year degree in Journalism!!

B G   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Where are all the black people? Republicans against blacks or what?

Frank in Pittsburgh   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

The bar was set so low. All she had to do was not set the podium on fire and it would be deemed a success. I am curious to see how she will do without a prepared speach on a teleprompter.

Tony   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

She introduced her family, but she did not mention the fact about her daughter expecting and didn't even mention her future son-in-law. Simply amazing.

Bill Stapp   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

I have tended to vote conservatively all my life. But this time, I have to vote on the record President Bush has handed to my children. As a Republican, he didn't raise taxes, he raised the national deficit and national debt. He didn't reduce government spending, it went wild. He didn't shrink government payrolls, he expanded them and went out to subcontract even more employees.

Bring back his father. I'll take the higher taxes anyday. And if his father won't run... I'll vote for Senator Obama and let him raise taxes on the wealthy.

Marie-Lynn   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Right on she doesn't have any

Charla in TX   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

She reads pretty good.....good thing for speechwriters and teleprompters!

Jason, OH   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

After this speech, she's open bait. No crying from the Republicans when Obama/Biden treat her like a REAL candidate.

JSH   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

I wonder why none of the "GOP minders" told the boyfriend not to chew gum on national TV.

Save Our Country   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

No substance at all from her! What do they really think of Americans? Do they really think Americans want to hear negative bashing all night? I want to hear how the republicans plan to turn our economy around. What a disappointment!

Question John McCain's Judgement   September 3rd, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Fine she wants to attack Senators Obama and Biden, this is exactly what struggling Americans are darned tired of. The discussion should be about what you are going to do to make the lives of americans better.

I am so tired of the bickering and fighting while good people are pulled under. She may have all of the attack lines down, but it was a poor introductuction for reconciliation. Really, a good show of what to expect from her. She is self confident and cocky for a new comer.

Sharon   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

For someone who claims to hate Hollywood, she sure looks like she's employed one heck of a lot of their expensive plastic surgeons, hair stylists and makeup artists.

So does Cindy McCain for that matter.

I've spent a lot of time in Alaska with those "hard-working" women and I'll tell you, I have yet to see one with hair and makeup like that.

Give me Hillary any day.

Kris   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

The speech is finished. Did anybody else notice? She was very energized and glib as she spoke about herself , who she was and what she did. But when she switched to a discussion on energy, reliance on foreign oil and Russian pipeline diplomacy - her demeanor changed, and she looked rather shaken and uneasy, almost panicked. It was VERY noticeable that she was feeling the waters rising around her. An enlightening speech.

DJ in Colorado   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

I've never seen such mockery, negativity, hatefulness and lies in one sitting in my entire 50 years. Americans don't like ugly and the rethuglicans had it on full display tonight. It was dismaying for me. Disappointing. Sad. Pack mentality. It's on now...

brandie   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Is she gonna put AirForce One on e-bay, too?

J-M   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Screw the pundits who say this was great. She lied again on the bridge to nowhere and she needs to be called on that...between her and Giuliani, they didn't address any real issue except to mock viciously the Dems...This was just a show of vile and disgusting mockery...TURNED ME OFF!

sjp   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

thats it? thats all she had? someone please tell me what she said that is going to help middle america. also can anyone tell me what she said different from any of the other speakers in the last 2 days. average at best, in front of her own group. they will eat her alive out on the circuit.

Jim   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

I'm watching this whole thing, flipping back and forth from channels trying to say away but out of curiousity coming back. Honest to god I am…just…i can't put it into words…these people scare the hell out of me.

They are twisted, so brainwashed it's downright scary…I've never in my life imagined people in America could be so brainwashed, this is just freakish. November can't come soon enough but if this goes on I'm going to puke.

Manitoba Mama   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

I feel like I need a long hot shower and the most abrasive soap I can find to get the dirty and nastiness and violent hatred off me after watching tonight.

monica   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Very long self indulgent speech, and BIG surprise, mcbush came out in the end, i wonder where he got this idea from!!! The ENTIRE party is pro-war and anti Obama, that is their entire platform

screw the economy
screw the people whose lives have been lost in this war for nothing
just bash Obama and the republicons will cheer

her speech lacked substance, any specific plans, she was merely a cheerleader for mcbush and an Obama basher...too bad the next time she speaks in front of crowd this large will be at her concession speech...

Obama/Biden 08/12

Charnie   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Sarah has no experience herself and she attacking using experience. Her speech has no substance only attacks on Obama and praises for McCain. Why exactly did they make the Levi come again. The boy looks so uncomfortable. She is just full of it

Jen830   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

She is terrible! Is this the only person willing to run with McCain? I guess so...any intelligent woman would run far, far away.

Anonymous   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

She is toast. She just took the gloves off! Any response from the Obama campaign, she deserves. This woman is dumber than McCain. They are going down fast!

Rodger   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

No ideas or policy comments, nothing but lies and insults. It really discusts me to where the Republican party is today.

Dian   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Are you kidding me?? What on earth was she thinking? How about telling us about what you stand for instead of insults! That was ridiculous! And why are the escorting people out?

CH   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Boring

David M.   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

This was a joke. She recited a speech that was written for her using the generic Repub model. She rehashed things about her work that we already know, but nothing new. And why is that baby at this loud convention.

LT for Obama   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

This speech was full of lies about her own achievments, lies about Obama and bashing, bashing, bashing. Oh, did she mention that John McCain was a POW?

Where was the substance? Where was the clarification of your qualifications? Seriously? This is who they want to potentially hand over the White House to.

I pray "Lord, please keep us safe from harm and pull this country back to its former glory."

Wolf just said she hit it out of the park. ARE YOU KIDDING ME????

Jatovi, NC   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Her speech was no more than just an attack ad. She had no substance what so ever. She did not impress me at all.

Also If you keep focusing on her family they will continue to be drug through the mud.

R U for real?   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Wow!!! That was about as bad as I have ever witnessed. The party of insults. So, is this what the GOP thinks is going to win an election – firing off one insult after another at Obama and his wife?

Wendy in NC   September 3rd, 2008 11:13 pm ET

"Pitbull with lipstick" is right. Her first major speech and she was way, way out of line – bordering on downright meanness. No Way, No How, No McPitbull

Abby   September 3rd, 2008 11:12 pm ET

Michelle is 100 times the woman that his pallin (sp?) is...

what a joke.

Joe   September 3rd, 2008 11:12 pm ET

Yes, she had a convincing speech on the energy issue. I just wonder if she could point to the countries on map that she mentioned in the speech?

Deborah   September 3rd, 2008 11:12 pm ET

Palin has opened the door on the experience issue. Gloves are off!

Robert   September 3rd, 2008 11:12 pm ET

Palin could barely command the crowd, or the sentences written for her. This felt like a series of one liners read off of note cards. I don't think anyone but the already excited extreme right supporters are going to go for this pandering. Her speech was inherently contradictory in its tone and message. She looked unsteadily vicious, if that is possible.

It is interesting that Palin is claiming a mantle of reform that is hardly supported by what we are all recently learning about her. Her neighbors and political peers are telling everyone how much she bullied those with other opinions and demanded that people stay loyal over staying willing to disagree. Additionally, it turns out she was a huge proponent of pork legislation. Wasilla had a higher pork project to inhabitant ratio than probably 99% of America. John McCain has even publicly opposed by name 3 projects she hired a lobbyist to play games with Sen Stevens to try to lobby.

Remind you of anyone? (HInt: A less experienced Bush)

It is scary that she is one heartbeat away from the presidency if we elect her.

Lost of CNN Moderation   September 3rd, 2008 11:12 pm ET

Risky hell .....she just fired up a whole lotta Obama supporters that were already fired up! Keep talking!

This woman is a disgusting waste of time!

Greg FL.   September 3rd, 2008 11:12 pm ET

Mr. Schneider, I am so glad you caught that as well. Obama has been very good about her family issues and she pays him back with that comment. I actually turned off the convention, because it is nothing but an extended attack commercial and it will back fire.

Bill King - Seattle, WA   September 3rd, 2008 11:12 pm ET

This woman is a complete joke, with zero credibility and less qualifications, and even the Republican elites think so as evidenced by the off-mic commentary published earlier today.

And yes, I supported a *QUALIFIED* woman for President.

Hillary Supporter   September 3rd, 2008 11:12 pm ET

Wow, i miss hillary. This woman was not convincing at all. How long did she work on this speech?

Yvonne   September 3rd, 2008 11:12 pm ET

She sounded like she's running for president of the PTA, not veep of the USA. A laundry list of one-line promises and insults.

Patricia in SF   September 3rd, 2008 11:11 pm ET

This speech, this hayseed "Governor" (this whole convention) is for the Bisquick & Crisco crowd.

They. Won't. Gain. A. Single. Independent. Voter.

FactCheck   September 3rd, 2008 11:11 pm ET

She sounds like Ben Stein on downers. What an absolutely horrible train wreck. Sarah Palin is the gift that keeps on giving.

Ready 4 change.   September 3rd, 2008 11:11 pm ET

The fact that she tried to make community organizing look like it's nothing sickens me. I hope someone brings this issue up in the MSM because that was uncalled for.

kenyadc   September 3rd, 2008 11:11 pm ET

Boring, boring , boring!!! Is that America on TV???A sea of white people?? What an absolute farce. Effective speech–vicious, attack dog!

diego preciado   September 3rd, 2008 11:11 pm ET

this speech is making me sick

Milton   September 3rd, 2008 11:11 pm ET

Did John McCain seriously just pulled a "surprise visit" on the RNC???

I wonder where I've seen that before...

mcCain/Palin=slime.   September 3rd, 2008 11:11 pm ET

Easy to speak in front of a small all white adoring audience.

"if character is the message, and hope the promise, then",
the McCain / Palin ticket is not the solution for this election.

They offer lies, hate, negativity and no solutions.

CB   September 3rd, 2008 11:11 pm ET

I guess the comedy club wrote the speeches. She was dull and boring, very poor delivery.

Hannah Storm   September 3rd, 2008 11:11 pm ET

Sarah Palin did NOTHING to convince me that she would make a good commander and chief......over all a really bad night for the Repubs in my opinion

Andrew (Toronto, Ontario)   September 3rd, 2008 11:10 pm ET

Are you kidding me?? She's making fun of Barack's experience?? I hope Obama and Biden take the gloves off tomorrow!

bill m   September 3rd, 2008 11:10 pm ET

Oh thanks for waking me up form that over practiced marionette doll.

Lee from FL   September 3rd, 2008 11:10 pm ET

tonight was all about taking shots at Obama.
they have no economic message.

ohio   September 3rd, 2008 11:10 pm ET

this speech was ugly nasty shes one of the good old boys

Paul   September 3rd, 2008 11:10 pm ET

one word – lipstick

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