Palin's Speech a Roaring Success

Real test: can she woo undecideds?

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin earned roars from the primed Republican crowd last night in St. Paul—but it remains to be seen whether she can translate that enthusiasm to undecided voters, writes Adam Nagourney in the New York Times. “It’s more difficult with someone of her background to go on the attack than it would be for Joe Biden” with his years of experience, a former GOP senator tells Nagourney. More»

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin tonight played up her small-town credentials, cast herself as a political outsider, and took a swipe at her critics in the media during her much-anticipated address to the Republican convention, Politico reports. After formally accepting the nomination to be vice president, she took a not-so-subtle shot at Barack Obama. "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities." More»

RNC speech tonight offers vital chance for VP to introduce herself

(NEWSER) - Instead of basking in the limelight as co-star of the RNC, Sarah Palin has been hunkered down in a Minneapolis hotel since Sunday, painstakingly working with John McCain's staff to hone the message she will present as she steps onto the national stage tonight. Her public appearances have been canceled as advisers give her a thorough briefing on McCain’s policies, the Wall Street Journal notes, while a prewritten, “masculine” speech is getting a rewrite in light of the surprise nominee, reports the Washington Post. More»

Campaign aims to do the opposite of McCain

(NEWSER) - Team Romney’s rule of thumb: Do the opposite of everything John McCain did in 2008, or so reports Politico in a look at the campaign's strategy. The approach applies broadly, say advisers—focus hugely on the economy, fully engage in fundraising, integrate early with the Republican National Committee—but comes most into play in the search for a VP. The campaign doesn’t want to end up with its own version of Sarah Palin, so it is going to great lengths to avoid anyone who could be seen as unprepared. The goal, according to one official: Go with an "incredibly boring white guy." More»

Book reveals what McCain wouldn't let America hear

(NEWSER) - 'Twas a year ago tomorrow that John McCain’s team forbade Sarah Palin from delivering a concession speech, and a new book, Sarah From Alaska, gives you the chance to finally find out what she planned to say. Some highlights, from the Daily Beast :

• “It would be a happier night if elections were a test of valor and merit alone, but that is not for us to question now.