• I'm just grateful that, unlike the past two nights, I've actually finished my dinner before anybody starts describing torture in detail. I caught the Cindy McCain speech -- can't get much better than Bangladeshi orphans and Rwandan genocide (a Dem president's ball-drop) survivors in one speech. That's close to the color of dress Michelle Obama wore, btw. I wonder if they did a first-lady dress focus group.
• The McCain montage movie, narrated by Robert Davi, was like Mama McCain telling us to vote for Mac. That's a bit too mama's boy.
• Fred Thompson plays the Voice of God announcing McCain's entrance into dark arena. McCain comes out to a spotlight like a game-show host.
• Nice tie, Mac! He looks younger tonight.
  
• Two rude interrupters thus far: one, Iraq vets against the war T-shirt guy. Chanted down with "USA." Next was a Code Pinker with a floor pass wailing her head off twice. Mac makes a good quip to the audience about ignoring the static. Code Pinker tries fighting with security, hoping some flashbulbs pop off. Why do all Code Pinkers look the same? Maybe it's the bitter snarl.
• Good speech format with the runway. Still photos will look like he's in a sea of faithful.
• Not a Greek column in sight, btw.
• Good hat tip to Obama and the Obama Flock (TM). Not sure the convention crowd liked it but it will work well for the TV crowd.
• He hit domestic policy before foreign policy... sure that was intentional!
• He's kicking Russia's ass now. Cool.
• "I know how the world works." This is where he reaches thru the TV screen and slaps Obamaniacs.
• Veterans have place of honor up front. Stresses how he hates war and how he'll work to keep other families from going with it. This is a good speech.
• Will Obama sue Mac for trademark for hijacking his Change (TM)?
• Several bipartisan plugs. Reminding peeps of his maverick roots.
• No more "my friends"!!! No mas! No mas!
• The crowd really shouldn't have laughed at McCain being greeted by angry VietCong.
• Nice... I finished my dinner a full half hour before torture talk.
• He saved emotional part for the end of the speech... smart
• Either his speechwriter is better than Obama's, or Mac's speechwriter just had more material to work with
• Great part -- quit whining and get working if you're upset with America.
• Everybody's starting to tear up... this is his moment
• That was THE moment to end on, actually...
• Damn, I wanna play with balloons. Heart's "Barracuda" playing is obviously a nod to Sarah.
• Obama may have cited Lincoln in his speech, but the GOP convention actually HAS Abe in attendance... a few of them, actually
  

"...I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town. I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better. When I ran for city council, I didn't need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too. Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

"...I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. But 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 this country."

"...Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's energy problems - as if we all didn't know that already. But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all. Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we're going to lay more pipelines...build more nuclear plants...create jobs with clean coal...and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources. We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers."

"...Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

• Hockey mom: I'm counting that under "down-homey aphorism." Take a gulp!
  
• Alaska governor reference: take a sip!
• Joke about her experience: celebratory toast!

Mike Huckabee: "Maybe the most dangerous threat of an Obama presidency is that he would continue to give madmen the benefit of the doubt. If he's wrong just once, we will pay a heavy price."

Mitt Romney: "Liberals would replace opportunity with dependency on government largesse. They would grow government and raise taxes to put more people on Medicaid, to work requirements out of welfare, and to grow the ranks of those who pay no taxes at all. Dependency is death to initiative, risk-taking and opportunity. It's time to stop the spread of government dependency to fight it like the poison it is! It's time for the party of big ideas, not the party of Big Brother!"

Rudy Giuliani: "And as we look to the future never let us forget that - when we are at our best - we are the Party that expands Freedom. We began as a party dedicated to freeing people from slavery... And we are still the party that is willing to fight for freedom at home and around the world. We are the party that wants to expand individual freedom and economic freedom... because we believe that the secret of America's success is not central government, it is self-government. ...And we are the party that believes unapologetically in America's essential greatness - that we are a shining city on the hill, a beacon of freedom that inspires people everywhere to reach for a better world."