Michael Steele...

Well, Michael Steele has been picked has the new chairman of the RNC - and I couldn't be more pleased.

I have been pulling for him from the beginning, because I think he has the vision and ability to rebuild our party, and fix many of the problems we have been having.
Not to mention this kinda makes it hard for the liberals to say that "no blacks are Republicans unless they are paid" - which I have actually had someone tell me...

Now, his first few statements he has made have definitely shown him to have fire, and be willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish what he wants to - let's hope he can follow through!

John McCain's speech...

I thought he did a really good job, considering the crowd kept drowning him out every sentence to paragraph - and often in the middle of a sentence.

I think it had way more substance than Palin's, but wasn't delivered as well.
But Palin's goal was to introduce herself, and for that substantive, policy discussions are not as necessary.

McCain ended on a particularly good high note I think, even better than how Palin's ended.
He had a stream of lines culminating around the theme of "Stand up!". And the crowd was roaring after the first, and continued throughout the whole list. And for me it was nice to see McCain continuing on, over the roar of the crowd to continue - it really got me fired up.

Very well done Senator. Now let's go elect you, and get these changes we all need, and hear so much about, actually accomplished!

You go Governor Palin!

What an incredible speech this was. The policy, the points, the wit and humor, the attacks and defenses. It was perfect, or very close.
The audience was one their feet more often than not.

In that speech she really looked VEEP, or even POTUS material.
The way she described her approach, and McCain's approach to politics and issues was delivered very well.

And the one liners - wow. Usually I don't like them much as they really don't get to the heart of the issue well in most cases, but she had so many really good ones, that did get to the heart of the issue, it was really incredible, and it was probably a good thing she stopped when she did.

Some of my favorites.
"Some people use change to advance their career, and some use their career to advance change."

"Here's a little news flash for all 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 the country"

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

Really an awesome speech, and, between her and Giuliani, I think this was far more electrifying than anything the DNC delivered last week.
The organizers at the speech couldn't control the crowd, trying to get people to sit down after they had been clapping and cheering and chanting various mantras for some time, and the people kept going.
This even makes me think that she may be able to go toe-to-toe with Biden, and maybe even steal the show from him. If she can be as straight as she was tonight, if she can cut to the issues, then I would tell Biden watch out - she is one tough woman.

Well done, Governor. And G-d bless you!

EDIT:
Here is a transcript:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94118910

The Republican Convention...

Well, I totally missed the first day, and was really bummed out, as Fred Thompson and Joe Lieberman were slated to speak Monday...
Then I woke up this morning and saw that I hadn't missed them, they'd been moved to Tuesday!

So, I started watching just as Fred Thompson stepped up. He definitely looked healthier and more energetic than during the campaign.
I really liked his speech, though I thought it might be nice if he were to elaborate on some details better. It was really cool that he linked McCain's POW experience to his character, and made the distinction that it doesn't mean he should be president sense he was a POW - this helps get away from people like frmr. President Carter saying he is milking it for all it is worth.
It was also nice to see how he was able to show how gov. Palin does have more experience than Obama as well, as that has been something I have been seeing the media attack Palin for as well.

Lieberman's speech was quite good as well. I've come to really like him recently, but I was nervous he was speaking at the RNC in such a prime-time slot (or at all really). He seemed to pull it off reasonably well. It wasn't as stirring as Thompson's, but the message was good, and it appealed to me, and obviously to the people in the stadium too.
It was also quite nice to see him hit Obama a bit for his inexperience and "not reaching over the aisle" - as I get really annoyed anymore with him saying we all need to come together. Obama's version of together is everyone come to his side and be quiet and listen.

Once everything was said and done, I really wished it would continue, and usually I don't feel that way about conventions - so I think tonight went really well.
I will be interested to see now how the other speakers do now tomorrow...