If there was ever an example of the statement "the best defense is a good offense" in action, last night's speech by Sarah Palin at the Republican National Convention was it.
Over several days of criticism [an understatement of there ever was one] by Democrats, the media, and classless Internet posters [understatement number two], and even Republicans at times, Governor Palin remained silent. And, to a large extent, so did the McCain campaign.
But last night, Palin came out swinging with a speech that rallied those in attendance to a fever pitch. She did not come out swinging in blind-rage, but rather in calculated mockery of the opposition. Rather than defend her small town roots, she basked in it. Rather than get frustrated or intimidated at the recent assault, Palin set her jaw, smiled and delivered one great line after another.
There's a long way to go, and Palin's performance last night was only the beginning of a long and tortuous road. But from where this observer sits, skeptical of all politicians right and left, it's hard not to be impressed over Sarah Palin.
-----------------
Best lines of the night:
"I might add that in small towns, we don’t quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren’t listening. We tend to prefer candidates who don’t talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco."
"Do you know what they say the difference is between a hockey mom and a Pit Bull? A hockey mom wears lipstick."
