LIFE OF THE PARTY RETURNING AT LAST

LIFE OF THE PARTY RETURNING AT LAST - New York Post by Jonah Goldberg

...The press and Hollywood have spent the last three years making it sound like people become Republicans so they can flood New Orleans, ruin the economy, torture Muslims, listen to everyone's phone calls, and make a ton from selling papier maché bulletproof vests to the troops.

To cap it off, John McCain, renowned for driving the GOP base batty by bebopping and scatting all over his own party in order (according to his conservative detractors) to win praise from The New York Times, actually won the nomination.

In short, you don't have to be a political scientist to understand why Republican self-identification has been at a 16-year low or why even many of the GOP faithful were planning on putting out their "Gone fishing" signs this November.

Jonah, as usual, hits it right on the head.  And mercifully, he does so quickly.  I love Jonah Goldberg's writing but I've only got so many hours in the day  :)

Gallup Daily: McCain Moves Ahead, 48% to 45%

Gallup Daily: McCain Moves Ahead, 48% to 45%

The latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update shows John McCain moving ahead of Barack Obama, 48% to 45%, when registered voters are asked for whom they would vote if the presidential election were held today.

I'm still not a big fan of polls but I like the way they're trending. Yes, it's a convention bounce. Let's see how long it holds...

Just in case you just have to read the speech...

ABC News: Sarah Palin Makes History as First Female Vice Presidential Nominee of Republican Party

Full remarks as prepared for delivery and provided by the McCain campaign of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as she accepts the 2008 Republican vice presidential nomination on Sept. 3, 2008, at the Xcel Energy Center in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

WOW!!!

That's all I can say about Sarah Palin's speech tonight. Rudy got everyone all worked up as the opening act and Sarah came in and brought the house down!

I have never seen energy like that for a candidate - anywhere, anytime.

The media and the Democrats are going to regret going after the good governor the way they have. The gloves are off and Sarah is kickin' ass and takin' names!

If you missed it - don't read the transcript - go watch it - start to finish.

Anyone who questioned McCain's choice before tonight will no longer have that luxury in the morning.

Excerpts: Remarks by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

for those who just can't wait to hear the speech live or may not be able to stay up that late, here are some of the excerpts from Governor Palin's speech to be given tonight :)

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 Contact: Joanna Burgos
(651) 467-2728


Excerpts: Remarks by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
Vice Presidential Nominee to Address the 2008 Republican National Convention

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - This evening Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican Party's vice presidential nominee, will address the 2008 Republican National Convention. Excerpts from the governor's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

On her experience as a public servant:

"I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town. I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better. When I ran for city council, I didn't need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too. Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

On why she is going to Washington, D.C.:

"I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country."

On energy policies that the McCain-Palin administration will implement:

"Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's energy problems - as if we all didn't know that already. But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all. Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we're going to lay more pipelines...build more nuclear plants...create jobs with clean coal...and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources. We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers."

On John McCain:

"Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson at RNC

In case you missed it...
This is a must-see speech from Fred Thompson last night at the Convention.