Sarah Palin's RNC Speech

Sarah Palin received an uproarious ovation when she took to the stage to address the Republican National Convention. The cheers went on for minutes.

Transcript

"Mr. Chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens, I will be honored to accept your nomination for vice president of the United States."

Sorry libs, she's not backing down. You tried and you lost. YOU LOST.

Palin said when the pollsters and the pundits had counted out John McCain, they overlooked "the determination, the resolve, and the sheer guts of Sen. John McCain."

She said, "There's a time for politics and a time for leadership; a time to campaign and a time to put our country first."

"John McCain is a true profile in courage."

After discussing how McCain has stood by the troops, she said, "As the mother of one of those troops, that is exactly the kind of man I want as Commander-in-Chief."

Palin then spoke of her family.

She noted that her son Track will be deploying to Iraq on September 11. Her nephew Casey is already serving in the Persian Gulf.

She introduced her "strong and kind-hearted daughters," Bristol and Willow and Piper.

She said that she and her husband were blessed in April with "a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig."

"Our family has the same ups and downs as any other."

"Children with special needs inspire a very, very special love."

Palin said, "To the families of special needs children all across this country, I have a message for you: ...I pledge to you that if we're elected you will have a friend, an advocate in the White House."

That brought tears to my eyes.

Then Palin talked about her husband, Todd -- "a story all by himself."

After twenty years and five children, she said, "He's still my guy." That was sweet.

She introduced her parents. "I am so proud to be the daughter of Chuck and Sally Heath." I'm sure they're proud of her.

Palin said, "We grow good people in our small towns."

She said they grow our food, run our factories, fight our wars and they're always proud of our country in good times and in bad, and they love America.

That was fantastic.

The pundits and commentators probably don't get it, but those lines resonate with me. They resonate with middle America.

Palin said, "The difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull -- lipstick."

She is tough. That's clear.

Palin addressed her critics:

"I guess a small town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except you have actual responsibilities."

There was a lot of humor in her speech. She was so likable, so real. There's nothing pretentious about her. She doesn't seem like a celebrity. She really is "ordinary folks," not the type that Obama and Biden pretended to be last week in Denver.

She said, "We prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco."

ABSOLUTELY.

Palin said that she's not "a member of the permanent political establishment."

She said if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then you're not considered qualified to be a running mate for that reason alone.

"Here's a little newsflash for those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this great country."

I found what Palin had to say so believable. Juxtapose that with what the supposedly blue-collar Joe Biden and oh so humble Barack Obama have to say. It seems insincere. It seems like Biden has lifted his lines from Palin's speeches.

Palin said that she has stood up to special interests and the good ol' boys network.

She put the government of Alaska back on the side of the people.

"That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay."

That was another great line. Again and again, Palin drew cheers.

Everything she had to say elicited a response from the crowd.

"Sen. McCain promises to use the power of veto."

"As a chief executive, I can assure you it works."

That was an excellent way to highlight her credentials.

Has Barack Obama ever vetoed legislation? Has Joe Biden?

Palin detailed her accomplishments as Alaska's governor, revealing herself to be a courageous reformer.

She touted more domestic production of oil and natural gas.

She promised that a McCain-Palin administration would move forward on alternative sources of energy.

Palin hit hard on Obama.

"When the stadium lights go out, when those styrofoam greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot... when that happpens, what exactly is our opponent's plan?"

"The answer is to make government bigger," and take more of your money.

She said that victory in Iraq is finally in sight and he wants to forfeit.

Terrorists want to inflict catastrophic harm on America and Obama's worried that someone won't read them their rights.

Palin's message was clear and concise. There was no blathering on and on, no pretense, just straight talk.

Palin noted the difference between candidates that use change to promote their careers, and candidates like McCain who use their careers to promote change.

She mocked the type of candidate that uses "self-designed presidential seals."

Obama's goofy seal is worthy of being mocked.

"Our nominee doesn't run with the Washington herd."

McCain is "a leader not looking for a fight but sure isn't afraid of one either."

Palin quoted Harry Reid: "I can't stand John McCain."

She cited that as an indication that we've chosen the right man.

Another jab at the Obama cult: "Ladies and gentlemen, the American president is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery."

"This world of threats and dangers is not just a community and doesn't need an organizer."

All great lines.

Palin is a terrific speaker. She didn't seem new to this game or uncomfortable on the big stage. She was poised and confident.

"There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you in places where winning means survival and defeat means death, and that man is John McCain."

The ending of her speech was beautifully written and delivered.

Palin exudes sincerity. She really can connect with her audience. She's no messiah. She's one of us.

"For a season, a gifted speaker can inspire with his words; but for a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds."

"If character is the measure in this election, and hope the theme, and change the goal we share, then I ask you to join our cause. Join our cause and help America elect a great man as the next president of the United States."


If anyone doubted the wisdom of picking Sarah Palin, she put those doubts to rest tonight.

I love that Palin didn't allow the Left to determine the direction of her remarks. She set the agenda and it didn't include wallowing in the slime of the rumors and lies of the Left.

By not addressing the shameful bashing of her family by the despicable Left and their pals in the media, she put them on notice: She won't be derailed.

After her speech, her beautiful family joined her on stage. She held her baby.

John McCain then joined them.

From her seat, Cindy McCain looked on. She was beaming as she applauded her husband.

McCain said, "Don't you think we made the right choice for the next vice president of the United States?"

"What a beautiful family!"

I agree.

What a tremendous choice! What a tremendous ticket! Fantastic!

Sarah Palin sounded assertive, intelligent, and strong. She was so impressive. There were such high expectations for her speech and she met them.

Not too bad for such an unqualified, small town hick.