I originally thought that there wouldn't be a lot to cover at this convention, but that idea went out the window yesterday when McCain announced Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

First off, I want to apologize for not updating my blog after Obama's speech on Thursday. Getting out of Invesco Field took forever due to security. I walked with some Today Show producers along a freeway for three miles in order to get out of the chaos. Those who took buses had to wait up to 3 hours! Anyways, I had an early flight to St. Paul and still hadn't packed. Friday was a travel day so here is a brand spanking new entry.

Obama Reaction: I thought Sen. Obama delivered a very strong speech. He essentially said to John McCain, "Okay buddy, you want to play hardball? Let's do it. Here is why I'm different. Here is how I am going to get what I say done and, by the way, you aren't so hot yourself." After weeks of not responding forcefully to McCain's attacks, Obama returned the fire and had some classic lines. My absolute favorite was: "John McCain says he'll follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell but he won't even follow him to the cave where he lives." Knowing John McCain, there will be some doozies in his St. Paul speech. I'm interested to see how the theatrics of the night played with swing voters. What did the 35-year-old white male firefighter from Akron, Ohio think about the fireworks and score music at the end? Was it overdone or did it convey a strong message of change with the help of pyrotechnics?

St. Paul: I originally thought that there wouldn't be a lot to cover at this convention, but that idea went out the window yesterday when McCain announced Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. McCain obviously made this decision to shake up the race. Palin was on nobody's radar (if anyone says they thought it was going to be her they are lying) and hence nobody really knows much about her. My thoughts on the pick are as follows:

1. Why did John McCain essentially negate his strongest credential: experience? The most interesting line to me about Palin comes from the New York Times: "Ms. Palin appears to have traveled very little outside the United States. In July 2007, she had to get a passport before she visited members of the Alaska National Guard stationed in Kuwait, according to her deputy communications director, Sharon Leighow. She also visited wounded troops in Germany during that trip." Think about how unbelievable that line is. Somebody who is a heartbeat away from the presidency didn't have a passport till July of last year. It will be interesting to see if the Obama campaign plays on that. McCain could counter that only elitist people have passports because only rich people can travel outside of the U.S. Can't wait for the ads!
2. People who I trust that know John McCain tell me he's very big on trust and on personally knowing somebody's character. McCain hasn't known Palin that long, yet he is casting his lot with her. I don't get it.
3. Does McCain honestly think that the GOP can create Palin as a "small-town small business owner?" If the answer is yes, then I understand the pick a little more. Palin can be seen as the representation of small business owners from small towns all across America. Yet will these voters really see somebody from Alaska as one of them? We'll see.

After this pick, I can't wait for the VP debate on October 2. Biden must be somewhat subdued because the public does not like to see a woman get berated by a man on national TV (history majors, look up Lazio v. Clinton 2000.) Take care and REGISTER TO VOTE!

PS: Upset city on college football today. VA Tech got beat by East Carolina, Pitt by Bowling Green and Michigan is in a heck of game with Utah. One day in and the upsets are already rolling!

POSTED ON HOTCHALK.COM

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