What did you think of Gov. Sarah Palin's speech to the Republican National Convention?

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin accepted the Republican nomination for vice president last night in a speech where she introduced herself to America, answered her critics and told voters she is one of them, "just your average hockey mom." [ Read story ]

What did you think of her address at the Republican National Convention?

To comment, register or sign up. Please read our Guide to Commenting.

There is much to like about this woman. She speaks with very much my point of view. The thing I liked about Hilary was that she at least had plans to do something. Obama often sits there and smiles--then tells us we need to work together. I'm often left thinking "we'll duh." McCain? ho-hum. Palin? WOW!

Palin is new on the scene. I don't agree 100% with her, but I like that she got rid of the private jet, the chef, throughout the old guard in Alaska, gave a rebate to the residents of Alaska that came from going after the Oil companies. She's a Hockey mom, and her husband is a member of the Steel workers Union.

She knows us well. She wants to get more energy, no matter where it comes from. That sounds like she will be using Pennsylvania a lot for the coal here.

I LIKE HER!

 I can't deny that she's a strong woman and a good speaker.  However, her politics are not my politics.  Far from it.  I used to support McCain when he was truly a moderate (but lost interest as he started creeping to the right in the past few years).  Palin is way far right on social interest that I care about: abortion, equal rights, the environment.

Any Hillary supporters who are wooed by her are just fooling themselves and proving stereotypes of fickle, illogical women.

It may be disappointing not to have Hillary on a ticket, but to truly help the economy, improve the environment, and maintain/strengthen women's rights my vote has to go to Obama/Biden no matter how many strong speeches this conservative woman from Alaska may make.

 Absolutely fabulous! No wavering, straight forward and she hit the nail on the perverbial head with all of the comments she made toward Obama. Wake up Pittsburgh and the rest of the country. Sarah & John will expose Obama for what he really is.

Hope to see Sarah in the White House for many years.

 I was very curious to hear Sarah Palin's speech with all of the controversy that was going on this week.  I thought that I would give her a fair chance to make an impression on me without factoring in her personal life.  Unfortunately, I was very disappointed in the speech.  She could have acted gracefully or proclaimed that this election would be about issues solely and not her family.  She could have told us her vision for the country or the plan of John McCain.  However, she did not do any of those things.  The beginning of it focused way too much on her family (especially since Giuliani said that her family shouldn't be an issue).  The middle of the speech had a tone very similar to Bush's speeches, talking about the war and "spreading freedom" and "victory".  She even managed to slyly bring up September 11th.  Throughout the speech she bashed Obama about 100 times both by name and by calling him "the opponent".  I was less than impressed with these immature, pointless digs on him.  I want to hear about issues and plans and why you are better than a candidate.  If you spend your time bashing the other candidate it makes me think that maybe your campaign doesn't have very much substance. 

 Everyone should catch the repeat of the Daily Show at 8 PM tonight on Comedy Central and they will have a true perspective on what the political hacks are. I laughed till I cried at how hypocritical they are, including Lieberman, who spoke glowingly of Obama just 2 years ago (when he was running for re election).

I felt sorry for Gov Palen who had the "deer in the headlights" look on the big stage and had to read a speech written by a dozen spin artists for her. There are reasons why the McCain campaign sent a dozen operatives to Alaska this week and hurriedly flew Bristol's bf to Minnesota. Its sad that she is not yet ready for prime time.

This was a terrible speech, it wasn't even a speech really.  I was very suprised at how negative she was given the way Republicans and MCcain especially claim to be "reaching across the aisle".  Further, Palin has no business standing in front of the nation pretending to be more experienced than Obama.  McCain, maybe, but Palin, absolutely not.  The Republicans have damaged this contry these past eight years and last night, her speech was filled with garbagage to try to distract the average voter away from what is important.  She presented no ideas and was frankly, rude and disrespectful to Sen. Obama.  If this is all the Republicans have to offer, I'm ashamed at anyone who would vote for them.

 why don't you buy a dictionary and learn how to spell first, and then maybe us Republicans will let you talk politics with the big kids.

Couldnt agree more.  This woman looked scared because the speech she delivered was basically written by Karl Rove.  Biden will SHRED her when they have to speak off the cuff.  What really gets me is the hypocricy of the party.  Her press release stated that "this was Bristol's decision" to keep the baby.  Well hello, you are running on a platform that would take away the right for other families to make a decision.  So it's ok for your family to have the choice, just not for ours?  What about her support of censorship?  She rallied to have books BANNED from the public library in Wasilia?  Ever heard of the first amendment? fiscal responsibility? That little town had zero debt when she became mayor, now they are $22million in the hole.  How about the beleif that the recent trend of the ice caps melting has NOTHING to do with manmade pollution?  These are the FACTS on the issues...not political jockeying.  THe republican party has been taken over by Neo-Conservatives aka Rove, Rumsfeld, Cheney....these are the dudes that MESSED this country up and are now, once again, controling the direction of the party because people are so blind that they must go blue or red.  Look at the FACTS people.  The actual THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DONE, not just what the melon-headed pundits say, and not just what comes out of politicians mouths.

youre a child.

 A typical republican hit speech. No content on issues and full of condesending remarks. Even one of the top advisors said the election is not about issues but personality. We don't need to see another four years of this . She is not the second coming and really does't have that great of a record. She left her mayors job with the city in debt, did raise taxes in Alaska and did use her influence to try and get her worthless brother in law fired.Before you vote you really need to study the positons of the candidates and see where they will take the country because it doesn't appear that they are going to talk issues.

 I thought her speech was right on.  Very impressed with her!  Obama's camp is shaking in their boots.  All they can say is "if you want more of the same, go ahead and vote for them".  All the speakers durning the DNC bashed McCain and his policies...now that Palin and other RNC speakers are pointing out Obama's weakpoints, the dems are crying about it.  McCain and Palin represent REAL change...not a bunch of rhetoric...and they have a real energy plan...that involves real jobs.  Cannot wait until the Biden/Palin debate!!

 In her debut speech, Palin demonstrated that she is a first class rhetoritician.  Still I found the speech disappointing if not disturbing.  In her first chance to introduce herself to the American people, Palin spent the majority of her speech ruthlessly attacking Obama rather than focusing on what she's done and what she'll do for our country.  She showed no humility or grace in the face of the great honor that has been bestowed upon her.  Her tone was sarcastic, arrogant and divisive.  I am undecided no more, I'll be casting my vote for the Democrats in November. 

I don't like her Politics, just like I don't like MCcain's politics. Bush had the Senate, the Judges and the congress for over 6 years. He had the potential for greatness....it didnt happen. I've had enough of republican rule, lets give the Dems a chance to get it right. I didnt like Mr. or Mrs. Clinton but at least the country was heading in the right direction. I think Obama can at least copy and follow that mold and i'm confident with Joe Biden(who I really like) will keep him fair and balanced 

I was hoping for a meaty policy speech and instead I got a wikipedia entry. Once it did get into policy there were some major inaccuracies but today bloggers are saying it was because her teleprompter went out. I guess that sort of explains it. She seemed really comfortable up there and her rhetorical style was great but the substance was lacking significantly. Sorry, but "drill baby drill" does not qualify. Even renown conservative journalists, Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy think the party is doomed by this selection.

Caught live on msnbc mics:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq4sOM4tpno