Liveblogging PALIN!

I’m so glad McCain did this. But my first thought: Murphy was wrong on MSNBC – Bill and Hillary Clinton will NOT be voting for McCain in November…if McCain is elected and bites it in office, Palin will be the first female president. I first imagined that scenario back in May. Ouch, Hillary wouldn’t like that!

And, as Tim says here, if McCain is a one-term president, it sets us up for a Clinton-Palin duel in 2012. Interesting!

McCain’s introduction of Sarah Heath Palin was amusing. Every line was a blow. “Her father was a teacher!” (Slam!) “She’s a woman!” (Bang!) “She and her husband union members!” (Bang!) The audience is going nuts.

Her husband is a commercial fisherman: She has the “Deadliest Catch” audience locked up! And he’s really handsome!

Son in the US Army, going to Iraq. (The Tank notes Obama’s plan to cut defense “line by line”.

5 month old son, how cute!

Her family is beautiful, but Obama’s is, too, so that’s a bit of a wash.

She’s giving her resume; we will immediately hear from predictable quarters that she is too young and inexperienced, (here you go, right on schedule) but her resume doesn’t seem any thinner to me than Obama’s…some might think it a bit thicker. And she’s at the second spot on the ticket, not the top.

She is a clear and forthright speaker, and she gives off a lot of energy. A good, lively and slightly ball-busting speech. She seems completely at-ease and confident.

But then I have always liked strong, capable women. She’s an executive; she has a story.

WOW…she’s just co-opted Hillary’s 18 million cracks. I’m glad she mentioned Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton and left it at that, did not go into a whole litany of names, like Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Barbara Jordan. Would have been too much.

I’m just glad she’s not yet another senator. She’s a first term governor, but at least it’s an executive position.

A good, brief, excited and energetic speech. The demonization of Sarah Palin as “worse than Quayle” will now commence. The Dems and the press will hate this. Hate.

Note Glenn Reynold’s has first links and comments here, and he notes that Obama’s camp did not manage graciousness out of the box. They should have tried for gracious, at least as a first note. Lorie Byrd has more thoughts on that.

Sissy Willis has Palin being interviewed by Kudlow.

My husband just said, “they’re going to say he only chose her because she’s a woman.” Of course they will. The proverbial “they’s” also make similar – though different – churlish remarks about Obama.

He’s just flipped the MSNBC. I didn’t even have to turn my head to say, “boy, Andrea Mitchell sounds miserable and he said, “yeah, that is her…yeah, she does look really unhappy…”

So much for sisterhood.

Ferraro seems to like Palin on the ticket.

WHY do the press seem so surprised? Many of us thought Palin would be a serious contender for this slot. I suppose they’re so close to things and so “inside” they can’t always see things.

I can see Tina Fey being a natural to do Palin on SNL.

NOW – I am finally ready to say I’ll vote for McCain. McCain/Palin. Where’s my checkbook!

Bender, who was reluctant on Palin makes a good comment, below:

And we have the other side who is a real change, composed of four people who have actually lived a “real life” that is not totally bound up in politics. Even though McCain has become a Washington insider, his first life was one of hardwork and sacrifice, and Cindy has remained outside of the Washington scene — a real person, even if on the wealthy side. And now learning about Sarah Palin and husband, a hardworking couple who come from everyday America, who have done dirty-hands, back-breaking physical work for a living…So, four people who have lived common, everyday lives vs. three elites. Who wins the “change” argument? Whose “change” can you really believe in?

From my email – a mom with two kids at Notre Dame:

Sarah Palin has me more excited about this election than any in my lifetime. She was magnificent this morning. Now I will work for the campaign. Big Mac rolled the dice and I think he just might win.
Both my kids are now [at] the Honors Program at Notre Dame – I texted them about this and I think a lot of kids at ND will get onboard now that Palin is the running mate. Yeah, it’s not politics as usual and it’s about time.

(Meanwhile, my husband, just back from a business trip is making <a href="Monk Coffee and wondering why the airlines can’t serve their good stuff!)

A look back at Democracy Project’s 10 reasons McCain should choose Palin

Pajamas Media has the round-up here

First gleanings:
Pethokoukis at US News and World Report Madam Vice President.
Amused Cynic: Pit Bull Biden, Meet Barracuda Palin
Hot Air: is all over it
Malkin is happy
Confederate Yankee notes expedient smearing begins
Roger L Simon: who’s stodgy?
Ace: NOW Obama wants to talk experience.
Althouse has a rambunctious gang over there!