The Sarah I knew.

So, after a passable interview with Charles Gibson which was blown completely out of proportion by the MSM, Sarah Palin had a legitimately awful interview with Katie Couric.

Now, as a McCain/Palin supporter who argued passionately in favour of Sarah Palin's candidacy for Vice-President, it makes me feel all the more unnecessarily guilty for Sarah's lacklustre performance as of late. Let me just say:

This is not the Sarah I knew.

The Sarah I knew was a blunt, funny, off-the-cuff, down-to-earth country girl with a record of reform and a quick wit. Now, Sarah has been reduced to a blithering idiot, a set of legs leading up to a vacuum where a human brain should be, a scripted automaton with lipstick.

The McCain campaign has allowed the media to define Sarah instead of defining her themselves. Look what they have done. They have cloistered her off from the media as if she is some sort of delicate flower - and not just the liberal media. Sarah has been unavailable to friendly sources, such as conservative talk show hosts. Imagine what would have happened had they done that: Palin would be getting pitched soft-ball interviews which would then be quoted and disseminated, all whilst she was being briefed on key issues so that when she finally spoke to decidedly less fawning interviewers, such as Gibson and Couric, she would have the confidence and knowledge to give answers which don't sound like a grade-school student giving an oral presentation with the wrong flash cards.

Because let me reiterate: Sarah Palin is not stupid. If she were, I would have argued against her candidacy. Don't believe me? Watch this and this.

Cool, confident, cutting. That is the Sarah I knew. Before she was McCain's VP pick, Palin could eviscerate her opponents, make a coherent argument and be cute as a button through it all.

Now, the fault of the public relations disaster that is the Palin candidacy is two-fold. I have already explained the McCain half, but the MSM half is disturbing.

False Palin rumours have become established fact. My friends won't even acknowledge they are wrong when I send them links debunking lies about Sarah, such as that she is anti-Semitic or that she tried to go on some sort of mad book-banning binge as Mayor of Wasilla. It's not just an Internet phenomenon; I have even read mainstream media sources alleging that she supports abstinence-only education, a claim I have known to be false since I first supported her.

Now, let me be clear: I do not think that Sarah Palin should expect the media to go easy on her because she is new to the national scene. Sarah Palin may have only been in the spotlight for a month, but whoever is elected in November will be Vice-President for four years, and there is no such thing as an Easy button for that job - or any job for that matter.

However, it is frightening how blatant the media's animosity towards Palin - or rather, their apple-polishing of Barack Obama - has been. Compare the questions Charlie Gibson asked of Obama as opposed to Sarah Palin. Worse still, look at the key portions edited out of the Palin interview; I could literally see the edits as I watched the original broadcast.

We must ask, why is it that Joe Biden can say that paying taxes is patriotic or that when the stock market crashed in 1929, FDR got on television to address the situation, and no-one bats an eye? Why isn't Barack Obama's judgement being held to the same scrutiny? Joe Biden has been in office longer than anyone on either ticket - including John McCain - and he has "gravitas". Sarah Palin's flubs now define her. Barack Obama is utterly scripted, and when he's caught without a teleprompter, he sounds like a buffoon. Sarah Palin brings down the house at the Republican National Convention, and people dismiss her as a good speech reader.

Now, the McCain campaign finally appears to get it. Sarah Palin's next and last major audience with the American people will be this Thursday. If she fares poorly, it will likely not be a death knell for the McCain ticket, but it will add gasoline to an already furious fire of lies, unfair attacks and outright hate.

Of course Sarah isn't a "perfect" candidate, with her admittedly limited experience - which still consists of more executive experience than anyone else on either ticket - I'll admit. But no candidate is perfect. No human being is perfect.

But there are human beings who are good. All of them are flawed, but they are good. I see that in Sarah Palin I knew.

The Sarah Palin I knew defended her State when the Federal Government sought to meddle in its affairs. The Sarah Palin I knew fought to give America energy independence. The Sarah Palin I knew overturned the Alaska establishment. And she did all of these things without compromising her sacred duty as a wife to an equally dedicated husband and a mother of five beautiful, healthy children.

That is the Sarah Palin I knew, and it is the Sarah Palin America should know. It is the Sarah Palin America must know.

The First 2008 Presidential Debate.

POST-DEBATE NOTE: My friend just said that MSNBC declared McCain the winner. MS-FREAKING-NBC.

10:27 - So, Mac says we're safer than we were the day after 9/11. Obama says we're less respected in the world, and bin Laden is still out there. MCCAIN COMPARED OBAMA'S STUBBORNNESS ON THE SURGE TO BUSH. BRILLIANT. DEBATE WON. Basically, after that, nothing anyone said mattered. PWNage accomplished.

10:24 - Sooo, McCain has basically kept saying Obama doesn't know a thing, and Obama keeps saying McCain knows stuff but disagrees with him. Really, Obama has utterly failed this debate. He keeps fumbling and interrupting, and McCain has stayed on offence and cited his long record. This debate has been a consistent EPIC WIN for McCain.

10:10 - Mac: I won't sit down with the dude who wants to wipe Israel off the map. Obama: No preconditions doesn't mean I want a tea party. More sniping until McCain CRUSSSSSSSSHES Obama by just acting like Obama isn't even there and says, He'll meet Iran without preconditions - AGAIN, WHAT THE HELL, OBAMA?!

10:07 - Mac: I want a league of democracies, and we can't have a second Holocaust. Obama voted against calling the Iranian Guard a terrorist organisation. Obama: Did not! McCain supported increasing the mandate in Iraq!

10:00 - Mac: Gives history of good judgement and tells veteran bracelet story. Obama hits back: I HAVE A BRACELET, TOO! The two keep going back and forth. Eventually, Lehrer shifts the subject to Iran. I totally forgot there was a host.

9:50 - Obama is interrupting like an idiot. He is completely unPresidential. Wait your turn, SENATOR Obama.

9:48 - Funny thing: According to Obama, more troops will work in Afghanistan, but it wouldn't have worked in Iraq.

9:45 - Mac: The issue is NOT our going in. It's how to end the war. I was for the surge, and Obama was retarded. Obama lies and says Mac wants to act like the war started in 2007 and that the surge undid the previous four years of failure. MAC WAS FIGHTING THAT FAILING STRATEGY, YOU LIAR.

9:41 - THE LESSONS OF IRAQ: Mac is all like, Yeah, I challenged the strategy! Obama says, Well, I was always against Iraq!

9:37 - Mac: Obama has 800 billion dollars in new spending. I don't want to raise anyone's taxes. Obama: YOUR President is why everything sucks, and you voted with him 90% of the time. Mac: I'm a maverick, bitch!

9:33 - Obama: We send ten billion dollars to Iraq every month, but they have a surplus. Mac: We send 700 billion dollars overseas, and some of that lands in terrorists' hands. We need all forms of energy, including off-shore drilling and nuclear.

9:30 - Mac: Obama's the most liberal Senator. It's hard to reach across the aisle from that far to the Left. I oppose ethanol subsidies. And excess spending sucks.

9:28 - Obama: OOH! I'm gonna make college affordable! I can turn coal into gold!

9:26 - I'm lost. I've never seen this contentious a debate. Obama is PISSED that McCain is smiling, and Obama is whining. I love it.

9:16 - I'll veto pork-laden bills. Obama has asked for a million dollars for every day he has been in the Senate. The two go back and forth on the issue of ear-marks. Mac accuses Obama of only stopping ear-mark requests for political reasons.

9:13 - People say stuff. Obama says he saw this problem coming, as does McCain. Obama takes "fundamentals of economy are strong" pot-shot. Lehrer says to say it to Mac directly. Mac says, Did you think I didn't hear it?

9:06 - McCain: Notes Sen. Kennedy's hospitalisation. Thanks bi-partisanship exhibited by Congressmen who came together for the economic compromise. McCain supports a package to fix the economy and ending American dependence on foreign oil.

9:05 - Obama: No padding CEOs' pockets and no golden showers - uh - parachutes. The last eight years have been EPIC FAIL, and I want to fix stuff.

9:03 - Question to Obama: Where do you stand on the financial recovery plan?

9:02 - Jim Lehrer introduces the candidates. LET'S DO THIS THANG.

9:01 - FNC's flashy debate opening is good - it comes with Reagan's "I will not make an issue of my opponent's youth and inexperience" line. Natch.

9:00 - IT'S ON.

Your humble blogger... Now in talkies!

This is for my college Web radio station. I'ma have a show there which will hopefully be available for your listening pleasure soon. (If you are on the Adelphi network, you can listen via iTunes.)

Obama on Obama's experience.

Remember, Sarah Palin is just an inexperienced, small-town mayor who doesn't know what the Bush Doctrine is and believes rape victims should be forced to pay for their own rape kits and that creationism and abstinence-only education should be taught in schools.

Idiot.

More smears debunked here and here.

(Hat-tip to NewsBusters)

Never forget.

A lot of people say, "9/11 changed everything." I disagree - it caused us to wake up to the crushing reality of Islamism. Never forget what happened and why and whom we fight.

God bless all those who died, who lost loved ones and especially those who continue to protect us, both in far-off lands and here at home.

“I’m so depressed. It’s happening again. It’s a nightmare.”

Polls showing John McCain tied or even ahead of Barack Obama are stirring angst and second-guessing among some of the Democratic Party’s most experienced operatives, who worry that Obama squandered opportunities over the summer and may still be underestimating his challenges this fall.

“It’s more than an increased anxiety,” said Doug Schoen, who worked as one of Bill Clinton’s lead pollsters during his 1996 reelection and has worked for both Democrats and independents in recent years. “It’s a palpable frustration. Deep-seated unease in the sense that the message has gotten away from them.”

But remember, Sarah Palin was the worst Vice-Presidential pick EVAR!!11

What a disastrous, desperate pick! PART II

Fun fact: Cedarburg, Wisconsin had 10,908 people according to the 2000 census.

State troopers - note, not the McCain campaign - estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people turned out to greet John McCain and Sarah Palin. In fact, given that this blogger notes how many people couldn't get anywhere near the candidates, who knows how many really showed up? (According to the Leftist AP, "more than a thousand" did.)

FYI, Cedarburg is located in solidly-Red Ozaukee county, which went for George Bush over John Kerry by a 2-to-1 margin in a State which narrowly went Democrat that year.

What does this mean? Even if McCain is doing well in friendly territory (Remember my last post to this effect? Turns out St. Charles county supported Bush over Kerry 59-to-41% in a State which went Republican by seven points.), he has clearly won over the base, and with independents already trending his way, things are definitely looking up.

Bring on the debates.

(Hat-tip to The Anchoress.)

RNC: Day 4 (HERE COME DA MAC!)

11:12 Everyone is still being happy and awesome. I guess that's my cue to exit. Night, all!!!

11:08 Confetti, beach-ball-sized balloons and fireworks on the big screen go off as Mac and SARAH!!! get on stage with their families. "Barracuda" by Heart is playing for Sarah!!! (Her nickname from high school basketball was "Sarah Barracuda" - and it carried over into politics.)

11:05 That awful country song for McCain plays.

11:03 RESOUNDING flourish - "STAND UP WITH ME AND FIGHT FOR AMERICA, BITCHES!!!"

11:02 Mac says that if you are disappointed in your country, then "serve a cause greater than yourself" and help someone by becoming a teacher or feeding the hungry or some awesomeness like that.

10:57 McCain tells of how he was once a selfish, independent fighter pilot - then everything got put into perspective when he got shot down and captured. He tells about how he gave up the opportunity to go home early and how he was only able to keep hope alive with the help of his next-door cell mate. "I was no longer my own man; I was my country's." He says he will always fight for his country, "so help me God!"

10:55 I have been an imperfect servant of my country. But I've always served because I'm awesome.

10:54 Instead of fighting over who gets the credit, let's try sharing it. I will serve with independents and Democrats. That's how bad-ass I am.

10:52 "The constant partisan rancour isn't a cause - it's a symptom." I'm bi-partisan - I have the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not! The crowd shouts, "ZERO! ZERO!"

10:50 Ooh - WAR STORY TIME! Mac mentions when his dad left for WWII after Pearl Harbor. He says he knows war because of his personal experiences. He running to prevent other families from having to sacrifice just as he and his family have.

10:48 We must face our enemies - al Qaeda, Iran and, yes, Russia as she attacks Georgia. They need "our solidarity and our prayers." We will be tough with Russia if need be. Those crazy, uncircumcised drunks.

10:46 MORE NUCLEAR! MORE CLEAN COAL! MORE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY! MORE ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILES! OBAMA OPPOSES NUCLEAR AND DRILLING (actually, Obama supports nuclear - just not enough)!

10:45 We're going to stop sending money to countries which hate us, and we will drill more wells off-shore - AND NOW!!!

10:44 Obama wants schools to answer to bureaucrats, I want schools to answer to parents.

10:42 "EDUCATION IS THE CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE OF THIS CENTURY." He supports school choice - BITCHIN'.

10:39 Mac says how he'll do awesome stuff, but Obama won't because he sucks. Like, taxes and trade and stuff. He says how he will help the unemployed and struggling workers.

10:36 McCain talks about how the Republican Party lost its values because of Washington corruption. He says how we're all Americans... including the Latina daughter of migrant workers - she's the same as a boy who came over on the Mayflower. Yeesh. "We're all God's children." He talks about the things the Pary supports - INCLUDING A CULTURE OF LIFE AND ORIGINALIST JUDGES.

10:34 John talks about individual cases of everyday Americans being awesome, including a fallen soldier whose bracelet he now wears to think of him every day.

10:30 Mac talks about all of the peeps he took on, like those who stole from Indian tribes and union bosses. Mac then boasts about the successful surge, which he supported despite its unpopularity. Props to Petraeus.

10:29 John brags about how he's a maverick. He doesn't work for a Party... He works for you.

10:27 Mac says now that he's introduced Sarah to the country, "I can't wait to introduce her to Washington." To the "Me first, country second crowd, change is coming!"

10:24 McCain starts to talk about tough times, but he is interrupted by a CODEPINK protestor. She is drowned out by "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" John McCain tells the crowd not to be distracted by the "ground noise and the static". Another protestor must have come in, because more chanting breaks out. McCain then begins heaping praise on Sarah!

10:21 John thanks undecided voters for their consideration and appeals to Senator Obama and his supporters for their achievement. "But let there be no doubt, we're going to win this election!"

10:17 John McCain goes there and thanks President Bush for his leadership following 9/11. He thanks Laura for being graceful and what-not. He also gives props to Bush Senior and Barbara. He then gets all misty-eyed over Cindy. Mac gives up the love for his mother, Roberta, who is "96 years young".

10:16 JOHN MCCAIN ACCEPTS THE NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. We see his daughter, Meghan, crying, and a protestor has broken in with a sign reading YOU CAN'T WIN AN OCCUPATION.

10:14 Now, the stage has been re-tooled such that Mac is surrounded by delegates - the idea is to re-create the "town hall" format of which he is so fond.

10:13 John McCain walks out into the light from complete darkness. Holla!

10:12 FRED! NARRATES JOHN MCCAIN'S ENTRANCE!!!

10:05 Cue McCain biography video! Whoo!!!

9:55 Cindy McCain has been giving a really boss introduction to her husband. Her focus is on her humanitarian work. Awww.

RNC: Day 3 (SARAH EDITION!)

11:13 My suite mate, Kyle, has instructed me to refer to the speech as "tits". I can neither condone nor condemn such remarks.

11:10 John McCain makes a surprise appearance, much like Barack Obama did at the DNC.

11:04 John McCain has the perspective which comes from being a P.O.W. He's just like many individuals whose names are on small-town war memorials, only he came home. Palin then recounts the friendship Mac had with a fellow P.O.W. She says she wants a man like him who can say, "We're going to pull through this." John McCain has inspired through his deeds. Join our cause, and help elect John McCain President of the United States!!!

11:01 Our nominee is basically the shit. John McCain doesn't want to fight, but he's not afraid of one. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, "I can't stand John McCain." That's a great accolade. Let's take the maverick out of the Senate and put him in the White House. The Presidency is not a job of personal discovery. This is not a community needing an organiser. Obama and Biden say they're fighting for you. Only one man here has actually fought for you - where failure means death.

10:55 Obama is likeable, but he's authored two memoirs and not a single piece of legislation. He can talk about the war and only say "victory" when he talks about his campaign. Haul back the Styrofoam columns to some studio lot. Obama is a pussy on foreign policy. Obama is awful on taxes - he will raise them all. My sister just opened a service station. How will you be better off if taxes go up? Some politicians use change to promote their careers. John McCain uses his career to promote change.

10:54 Drilling alone won't solve anything, the Democrats say. No shit. We know that. But we can't do nothing! We will also invest in alternative sources of energy.

10:49 When I became Governor, I put our jet on eBay. I love to drive myself to work. I fired the chef. I reformed by request, but veto if necessary. John McCain has promised to veto, and I assure you, it works. We have a surplus, and I have vetoed nearly half a billion dollars. Screw the Bridge to Nowhere! I sent that revenue back to the people of Alaska. I beat up the oil companies and demanded that the people get their due. We began a nearly $40 billion natural gas pipeline to lead America to energy independence. DRILL HERE, no more dangerous foreign oil! Americans can no longer afford high gas prices. We can no longer afford to get energy from places like Iran or Saudi Arabia or Venezuela. Take it from a girl who knows the North Slope of Alaska, we have plenty of gas and oil here!

10:48 We made Alaska teh awesome. It's back on the people's side, bitches!

10:46 Politics is about challenging the status quo and leaving this nation better than we found it. We are expected to govern with a servant's heart, and I promise I will as Vice-President of the United States.

10:45 Here's a little newsflash: I'm not going to Washington to seek their great opinion, I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this great country!

10:42 Before I became Governor of the great State of Alaska (ALASKA CHEERS) I was mayor of a small town. I guess being a small-town mayor is like being a community organiser - WHO DOES SHIT. We prefer candidates who DON'T speak one way in Scranton and then in San Francisco. That's John McCain. I've learnt if you're not a member of the Washington establishment, the media will dismiss you for that reason alone.

10:41 Sarah says how small-town Americans do awesome stuff and are always proud of America. What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? LIPSTICK.

10:40 Sarah's parents are here! Represent!

10:37 Sarah introduces her family. We see little Trig! AWW!!! Sarah talks about special-needs children. "You will have a friend and advocate in the White House!" Sarah introduces the awesomeness that is her husband - she notes his Eskimo ancestry. NOICE.

10:35 The voters knew better. There's a time to campaign and a time to put our country first. John McCain wore the uniform for 22 years and stood by our soldiers. As the mother of one of those troops, Mac is the man I want for Commander-in-Chief. I'm proud of my son, Track, and nephew, Casey, for their service.

10:34 Props to Mac's "lose a campaign versus a war" line. The pollsters overlooked McCain's "sheer guts" when they wrote him off.

10:33 Props to John McCain. WHOO!

10:32 SARAH ACCEPTS THE NOMINATION FOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!

10:30 SARAH IS OUT!!!

10:27 How DARE they attack Governor Palin as a mother?! They would NEVER say that if she were a man! Republicans ended slavery, supported giving foreigners freedom, letting workers work, school choice and in America's success - a shining city on a hill. We can elect a great hero and American, along with a great woman and reformer! WHOO!!!

10:25 She's reduced taxes and government spending. She's kicked ass! She's an awesome Governor with an 80% approval rating! You don't get that in New York City! She took on corruption, even in her own Party! She stands up for what's right! She and Mac will shake up Washington!!!

10:23 John McCain has chosen Sarah Palin... FOR THE FUTURE! Governor Palin represents a new generation. She is the most successful Governor and the most popular! And she has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket combined! She's been a mayor. I'm sorry Barack Obama feels her town isn't cosmopolitan enough or flashy enough. Maybe they cling to religion there.

10:19 How often have politicians stood for something?! Obama has flip-flopped so much, Joe Biden should "get that VP thing in writing!" John McCain said he'd rather lose an election than a war. What did John McCain say? We are all Georgians! Obama decided to create a moral equivalency and referred to the U.N. Um, Russia has veto power on the Security Council. Next time, instead of parroting John McCain three days after the fact, CALL JOHN MCCAIN!!!

10:18 Democrats said the war was lost! MCCAIN WAS RIGHT ON IRAQ!!! BARACK OBAMA WAS WRONG!!!

10:15 John McCain will kick terrorist arse! Who is offended if we refer to Islamic terrorism? Islamic terrorists?! The Democrats barely talk about 9/11! If you ignore it, you can't face it! The Democrats gave up on Iraq - AND AMERICA!!!

10:15 "DRILL, BABY, DRILL!" the crowd shouts because Michael Steele - WHO ONLY C-SPAN COVERED - said it in his speech.

10:14 Let's get specific: John McCain will lower taxes! Economy will grow! He will strengthen the dollar! He will lead us to energy independence! Nuclear power! Off-shore oil drilling!

10:13 There is good change and bad change. Change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy.

10:11 McCain has led! This is no time for on-the job training! We agree with Joe Biden! Well, we did until he flip-flopped. We need to have someone who can answer that telephone at three in the morning. We agree with Hillary!

10:09 Obama spent most of his time as a celebrity Senator. His rise could happen only in America. But he hasn't run a damn thing! He has never had to lead people in crisis! "ZERO! ZERO!" McCain is the most prepared President in 100 years! Obama has lead nothing! Nada! "ZERO! ZERO!"

10:07 The other guy has an Ivy League education, worked as a community organiser and immersed himself in the Chicago machinery. He voted "Present" because it was too tough to pick Yes or No! Rudy didn't have that vote as a Mayor, and neither did Sarah as Mayor or Governor! You can't just be "present" as President! "ZERO! ZERO!"

10:04 Rudy says to consider this election like a job. The job involves protecting your family, the party affiliations are crossed out, and the men are both patriotic individuals. One guy has passed every test in the service of his country (John McCain). Even more praise of McCain's service. Forceful and eloquent. "He has proved his commitment with his blood." McCain could have lived as a regular guy, but he chose to be a "foot-soldier in the Reagan Revolution".

10:02 Rudy is here! He says that for once, this really is the most important election in our life-time.

9:58 Sarah will be a great Vice-President! YEAH!!!

9:56 Sarah is a social conservative and a fiscal hawk. Sen. McCain is a maverick! Washington is broken! Mac picked an outsider and reformer!

9:55 Alaska? Small? Last I checked, they have just as many electoral votes as Delaware. You could fit 250 Delawares within Alaska! SO THERE, BITCHES!!!

9:53 Governors are C.E.O.s - As such, Sarah is a great choice! Whoo!

9:52 Linda got attacked for just being a Mayor like Sarah was. Well, neither Obama nor Biden has ever held an executive position. The audience is shouting "ZERO! ZERO!"

9:47 Gov. Lingle tells about Sarah's story regarding Trig and her bad-ass-ness in running for Governor. "Put simply, Sarah is a leader and a winner!"

9:44 Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawai'i, is giving props to Sarah! The Palins' first commitment to fiscal responsibility was by eloping. They have five children and one grandchild along the way. She's also an AWESOME person.

9:37 More about how John McCain is a hero who can't raise his arms. Huckabee tells a great story using school desksabout how soldiers have given us everything we take for granted. John McCain helped us get our school desks, so let's give him the desk in the White House.

9:32 Growing up in Arkansas, our heroes were Jesus, Elvis and FDR, not necessarily in that order. I didn't know showers weren't supposed to hurt until college. I'm not a Republican because I was born rich. I am because I don't want to wait on the Government to make me rich. I am tired of hearing about Sarah Palin's inexperience. She got more votes running for Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden did running for President of the United States!

9:28 Mike Huckabee says he's seen racism first hand. We must note how historic Obama's nomination is. But the Presidency is not a symbolic job. He notes that Obama visited Europe - where people who don't pay taxes support him. European ideas suck. Americans want less Government, just like Abraham Lincoln said, or something.

9:27 "I was originally hoping for a slot called the acceptance speech." But Mac's his second choice. He thanks the "elite media" for unifying the Republican Party.

9:26 Huckabee time!

9:18 Mitt wraps up. God Bless America, and all that jazz.

9:15 John McCain believes radical, violent Islam is evil, and he will defeat it! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! Americans prefer straight talk to politically-correct talk!

9:14 More nuclear and more drilling! YEEEEEAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! And let's keep Al Gore's private jet on the ground.!

9:13 John McCain and Sarah Palin's economic policy = Ronald Reagan.

9:12 Liberals hate families and opportunity. Liberals love Big Brother Government.

9:08 Starting a bit late, folks. Michael Steele delivered a rousing speech, and Mitt Romney is speaking now. He's saying everything about liberals sucks.

RNC: Technically Day 2

10:59 Long story, short. Democrats, this is no ordinary election, and John McCain is no ordinary man. Vote for the best man. Do it, bitches.

10:55 Apparently, mavericks can't be kept in pens. So says Joe Lieberman. We need less Party unity and more national unity, especially because we are a nation at war. McCain had the guts and judgement to call out our mistakes in Iraq. Meanwhile, Obama was cutting off funding for our troops on the battle-field. Thousands of troops are coming home in honour.

10:52 Sarah Palin is a proven, bi-partisan leader who can help shake up Washington. "The real ticket for change is the McCain/Palin ticket!"

10:52 Sarah Palin is a proven, bi-partisan leader who can help shake up Washington. "The real ticket for change is the McCain/Palin ticket!"

10:50 Barack Obama is a nice, young man, but eloquence does not equal a record. He has not been bi-partisan or willing to take on powerful interest groups within his own Party. He then says Bill Clinton was bi-partisan. Heh.

10:48 God made only one John McCain, and he is his own man. McCain took on bad stuff, which is awesome.

10:46 Again, more of how McCain puts country first. How awesome is that, people?!

10:44 Ultimately, being an American matters most. Cue up, "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!"

10:43 Why am I here? A Democrat at a Republican convention? I'm here to support John McCain because he rocks, bitches!!!

10:41 Lieberman says that hurricanes should not be what bring us together and talks about how partisanship is teh ghey. He also said that George Washington was right that political parties are screwing up... uh, Washington.

10:39 Joe Lieberman in da hizz-ouse!!!

10:35 Fred! says McCain can't salute his flag, but we stand with him. One flub at the VERY end: He slurs "John" and "God" so it sounds like "Gjod bless America".

10:33 We need a President who doesn't think protection of the unborn or a newborn baby is above his pay grade. SEX.

10:32 Don't worry, Fred! jokes, so long as you're no-one, taxes won't affect you! They're going to take water out of the other side of the bucket, not yours! Heh.

10:29 Fred! PIMP-SLAPS Obama as history-making - the most liberal and inexperienced President ever! Same for Congress - Most. Unaccomplished. And. Unpopular. Ever. Also, losing the Supreme Court would suck.

10:24 Fred! says McCain travels abroad with humility (hint, hint). McCain supported the surge and disagreed with Ronald Reagan sending troops to Lebanon. McCain has been awesome on earmarks and spending. Others talk reform, but others actually reform. McCain reached across the aisle. Foreigners who aren't awesome can suck it. AWESOME.

10:21 Fred! says we've heard about hope. McCain knows hope. It's all he had. He recounts McCain's refusal to leave so long as prisoners who had been there longer remained. Basically, McCain's character makes yours look like shit, so vote for him, or you hate America. BRILLIANT SPEECH.

10:19 Fred! talks about the horrible, disgusting, sickly conditions McCain underwent during his time in captivity.

10:16 Fred! talks about Mac's rebellious history and how he prepared for the hardest part of his life, beginning with the horrible naval accident McCain barely survived.

10:15 Praising Mac, Cindy and the kids. The whole McCain family is here, including Gramma McCain! If she were captured in Viet Nam, the enemy would be beaten, Fred! jokes.

10:13 More praise! Sarah doesn't care about alligators - she F*CKING DRAINS SWAMPS.

10:11 FRED! praises SARAH! He BASHES the media who hate her!

10:10 FRED! BASHES the Democrats' pessimism!

10:09 FRED THOMPSON TAKES THE STAGE!!!

10:06 Classy Ronald Reagan tribute. There were ones for George Bush, Sr. and Teddy Roosevelt, too. Also, Cindy McCain makes Michelle Obama look like an ogre. Not that Michelle needed Cindy to do that.

10:02 Bush jokes that he's not there, but Laura is, so the convention traded up. He signs off.

10:01 PROPS TO TEH PALIN.

9:58 Bush says if the Hanoi Hilton can't break McCain, the Angry Left can't either.

9:56 President Bush is speaking live via satellite. He gave props to his parents and is praising McCain.

9:54 Laura Bush is awesome and introduces her husband.

Question re: Bristol Palin's pregnancy.

Is there anyone else who was overjoyed when he or she heard about Bristol's pregnancy and her decision to not only have the child but to marry the father? Last I checked, we're all sinners. A baby - no matter what his or her means of creation - is pure and beautiful. Why can't we focus on that?!

Forget about the circumstances of the child's conception. If Trig Palin - and indeed any other "undesirable" baby - has taught us anything, it is that all life is a gift, not a burden or a punishment.

A pity not everyone running for higher office sees it that way.