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MONA AUSTIN: Sarah Palin Talks The Talk That Wins Republican Respect
*Republican veep pick Sarah Palin was the caboose to the "straight talk express" last night at the Excel Energy Center in Minn./St. Paul, MN as she sought to prove her selection was not a mistake.
Since the surprise announcement less than a week ago, the little known Alaska Governor's name has clogged headlines with questions about who she is and whether she is adequately equipped to lead.
McCain was chided for choosing someone with a brief history in politics who had not been thoroughly vetted. The lack of information on Palin left wide open the opportunity for media to uncover any details they could. The unsavory findings--a pregnant teen daughter, her husband's alleged ties to a group that wanted to succeed from the Union, accusations of abuse of power in terminating her ex-brother-in-law from a state job--led to her name being smeared daily.
An Evangelical Christian who has gotten the endorsements of such influential right-wing leaders as Tony Perkins (President of the Family Research Council) and Dr. James Dobson (Founder and Chairman of Focus on the Family), Palin came to the convention stage on the defensive with answers to the questions she deemed relevant.
Met with an eruption of applause that continued into her opening, Palin spoke the language of conservative values.
The super-charged RNC audience gulped her every word.
The rookie Governor was poised in delivering point after point that was designed to denigrate Barack Obama's qualifications and silence detractors who underestimated hers.
Analysts called the speech "brilliant," "a home run," a champion performance.
Palin's speech had two themes. The introduction was about Sarah Palin the person--ex-hockey mom, devoted wife and mother of special needs son, 4-month-old Trig. She said children with special needs "inspire a very, very special love" and families of special needs children will have an advocate in the White House.
A card-carrying member of the NRA in her firm, self-assured tone Palin proved how Teflon resistant she is to criticism explaining, "The difference between a Hockey Mom and a Pit Bull--lipstick."
During the balance of the speech we saw Palin as the politician, a radical reformer who saw the Alaska governor having a private jet as wasteful spending and sold it on E-Bay when she took the post.
The anti-big government, pro-life candidate drew direct comparisons to Sen. Barack Obama, constantly referring to him as "our opponent," while belittling his experience.
About her role as a small town mayor she explained sarcastically, "I guess it's sort of like a community organizer except we have actual responsibilities."
This comment was a jab at Obama who said he had more executive experience than Palin while leading his current campaign staff.
And as for media critics, she issued a "newsflash" stating: "I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this great country."
Palin's entire family was embraced with cheers from a crowd that hoisted hand written "Palin Power" signs high.
"Don't you think we made the right choice for the next vice president of the United States?," Sen. John McCain asked as he joined his running mate on stage. The rousing cheers and roll call vote that followed the historic speech confirm the Republican party is behind the McCain/Palin ticket in full force.
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