McCain and Palin swing the momentum back in the Republican's corner!There was doubt; there was criticism. Under the microscope of the Democrats's scrutiny, Sarah Palin came out of nowhere and delivered a knockout blow to the raucous cheers of a full-house of Republican supporters.
To her detractors - they're all biting their tongues after they've finished licking their wounds. Palin knows one thing: how to engage her audience on a personal level. She started her speech cautiously but finished strongly. Her commentary was peppered with scathing attacks on the credibility of Obama - given his lack of leadership and hands-on experience. For her part she pressed the mayoral issue and her governorship of Alaska.
One thing's for certain: Sarah Palin is the pitbull to be feared. She's a family woman; a reformer and a determined individual. She's more than able to hold her own on center stage - an issue that'll prove telling come the unscripted debates between her and Democrat rivals.
The Republicans have fought back hard in their efforts to narrow the 6 percentage point gap between them and the Obama camp. With an estimated 8 percent of voters uncertain and many of them leaning towards Obama, it is going to be a rollicking contest in the next 8 weeks to decide on the next US President.
McCain is certainly the maverick they've tagged him as: this is one strategic decision that seems to be reaping a bountiful harvest for his camp. While the Democrats huddle closely and issue a rebuttal, it's going to be interesting how the major issues are played out between the parties.
For now it's even-Stevens. McCain certainly has more bite with Palin
on his ticket; Obama too is strengthened by Joe Biden, but it's the appeal of Sarah Palin which has stolen their thunder. For now it's all systems go for a Republican surge in popular rankings.
If the speech - which was televised to an estimated 37 million households can sway opinion and cut into Obama's lead, the 'gamble' will have paid off.
It's now a question of less government vs. more government; conservatism vs. liberalism and experience vs. on-the-job training.
