ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) - We’re going to see a ferocious defensiveness about Sarah Palin, and fierce attacks on the media — one issue that can unite the Republican base.

Palin has run a municipality, and “the biggest” state in the union? Population-wise, both are tiny. More of Palin’s qualifications from Thompson — and exactly what we need in a vice president: someone who can field dress a moose.

And Thompson’s stressing John McCain’s rebellious past — exactly what Americans are looking for in a commander-in-chief.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – Thompson said that “we need a President who doesn't think that the protection of the unborn or a newly born baby is above his pay grade.” That’s a dig at the recent Obama statement at the recent faith forum, when Rick Warren asked when life begins – he responded that it was above his pay grade.

There was more energy in Fred Thompson’s speech tonight than there was in his whole campaign.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) - President Bush is giving a wonderful speech for 2004, when the central issue was terrorism. But so far he hasn’t addressed the central issue of this election: the economy. You’re probably not going to hear much about that. One of the ironies about the war is, Americans think the war is going better - but it’s receding as an issue.

An interesting reference from Bush: the angry left. You used to hear a lot about angry white men back in the 90s, and about how they were at the center of politics. Now you’ll hear Republicans try to paint their opponents as angry.