silent E speaks

Here’s a little bit of what’s being said about Palin’s speech.

John Fund WSJ:

Liberal commentators glumly noted the thunderous applause in the convention hall last night. But they could do precious little to attack. Even Keith Olbermann, MSNBC’s official attack dog, could muster only this as commentary on Mrs. Palin’s performance: “People who like this sort of thing will find this … the sort of thing they like.”

Mrs. Palin accomplished several things last night. First, she introduced herself and her story to the American people in a compelling and warm manner, complete with effective pictures of her proud family. Secondly, she praised John McCain’s leadership, service to country and independence in a way that made him come alive. Thirdly, she effectively deflected the media and liberal criticism of her by saying they really represented an attack on the small-town and suburban values she grew up with. Lastly, she skewered Barack Obama with gusto but without meanness. Her line about her job as a small-town mayor being “sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities” brought the hall to its feet in a frenzy.

Some hard-bitten political observers I know were uncharacteristically impressed with the Palin speech. Hal Stratton, a former Attorney General of New Mexico, wrote to me as follows: “That’s what we out west call openin’ a whole can of whip a— on your opponents.”

Jim Geraghty NRO

Tonight, we either saw a watershed in American politics, a tour de force, the most striking and graceful debut in our nation’s political life, and a national introduction that makes Barack Obama’s 2004 convention address look like small potatoes… or we saw what we wanted to see, and the country’s persuadable independents saw something else. I’m afraid to believe. If I’m wrong, I don’t really know what Americans want. I know conservatives are thrilled to pieces, and they ought to be. She knocked it out of the park. I don’t think she could have delivered that speech any better. Even if I hadn’t suggested a line, I would say that the speech hit almost every note just right. (Did the Obama fans feel this way? Is this what their exultation feels like? Wonderful. I’m glad they get to experience it too.)

Bill Kristol Weekly Standard

The attack on Obama was very deft. Palin went right for Obama’s fundamental weakness–that he’s never done anything impressive. (And by giving such a good speech, she partly undermined his claim to be the only one who could speak impressively.) For example, consider this line–which I predict will be remembered two months from now: “I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities.” This deflates all the sanctimonious praise of Obama at the Democratic convention for all his selfless years as a community organizer. And if you take away the community organizing, Obama’s just a career politician, one “who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform,” one of those who has used “change to promote their careers.” What’s left of Obama’s résumé, and his claim to deserve the presidency? Not much.

Fred Barnes Weekly Standard

So how in the world could this 44-year-old woman with no national political experience handle the whole thing with poise and composure and seeming effortlessness? Simple. She’s a natural, gifted with the ability to connect with people in a way that few politicians can and to perform under extreme pressure. She has star quality.

Political figures like this don’t come along very often. And heaven knows Republicans haven’t seen anyone like Palin emerge from their ranks since Ronald Reagan first attracted national attention in 1964. That’s a long time to wait. They’ve been starved for a leader with charisma and a knack for leadership. Now they have one.

Ol’Broad:

I really REALLY like this woman!

Jessi:

This night will go down in history. A women mother of five will be our next VP! Tonight Sarah Palin excepted the nomination for the vice president of the United States. And oh boy is she up to the job. John McCain has a home run with his pick with Sarah Palin.

Jimi:

She was confident, funny, well spoken, and unafraid. She went after Obama right away. She answered her critics. She also showed her true maverick side. I loved the constant digs at Obama’s “community organizer” cred. It reeeeealy made it look small, and goofy.

She and McCain truly represent change . . . bucking the washington machine, the washington country club politicians.

I thought she nailed it.

Fred Dooley:

Some people use change to promote their career.

Other people use their career to effect change…

Ooooooooooooooo.

Bushwack:

The best lines of Sarah Palin’s speech was: “Only one man running for President has really ever fought for you”. That is the truth, and there is NO DOUBT who has more character.

We as Americans believe talk is cheap, well at least normal Americans do, maybe not Code Pink and the Berkeley crowd, but most of us know that a record mean more than a speech.

McCain is not my favorite, but he has demonstrated that he is leading by example, that he is walking the talk and that deserves respect.

Texas Fred:

John McCain isn’t perfect, no candidate will be, but we can’t allow Obama to ascend to the Oval Office, no matter what, and I am becoming more comfortable with McCain since his choice of Sarah Palin, I believe she will be an awesome Vice President, and one we can be very proud of!

Michelle Malkin:

That was so very, very satisfying, wasn’t it?

Bruce:

One pundit insisted that this speech could only appeal to “Rush Limbaugh disciples” and “talk radio listeners.” Which is somewhat funny, since my wife, whom I’ve never in our 10 years of marriage heard listen to either, was standing and applauding in our home theater by the end of Palin’s speech this evening.

Phel:

Like me, I’ll bet you thought someone like Sarah and the spirit they represent wouldn’t be seen again.

I’m glad I was wrong.

Sean:

Tonight’s speech debuted the female Reagan. Her genuineness connects with her audience at an instinctual level–similar to what made Reagan a formidable force. I don’t like bringing out the Reagan analogy since he was a unique man of his time, but Palin has that “X” factor. Conservatives will go to war for her, and Palin drives the Left nuts. Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee don’t stand a chance.

Dad29:

She spoke to individuals, not the ‘undifferentiated masses.’ She spoke to people who are worried about energy security; people with special-needs children; people who are tired of Elites; people who run small businesses; people who are from small towns–and people who are concerned with the ever-growing Government.

And she used a winning personality–not condescending, not holier-than-thou, not screechy–to bring people to her side while convincing them that they are the focus of her concerns and the reason for her interest in the Vice-Presidency.

She delivered the speech well because she OWNED it.

I missed a lot but you get the idea……. She done good!!!!!