I’ve just received excerpts of Palin’s prepared remarks for tonight. Not much was released yet, but from the excerpts I’ve read, it’s going to be a great speech.

On her experience:

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.”

On why she is going to Washington, D.C.:

“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.”

On John McCain:

“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.”
Consider this an open thread for tonight’s events, especially Sarah Palin’s speech.

Consider this an open thread for tonight’s speeches. I’ll be twittering the night’s events here.

FLASHBACK: Newsweek praised Palin last year.

UPDATE: joe Biden says Sarah Palin is ready to be Vice-President, but Barack Obama isn’t ready to be President.

UPDATE: Media Lizzy posts excerpts from from Rudy’s speech.

UPDATE: An incredible speech. And our next President joins the Palin family on stage!

UPDATE: Her full remarks, as prepared for delivery.

I must say I was shocked when Susan Estrich, of all partisan liberals, actually admitted that the media attacks against Sarah Palin were beyond the pale and could backfire.

UPDATE: Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) says Palin’s family is fair game.

CNN reports that Harry Reid isn’t very happy with joe Lieberman for putting the country before his party.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was not happy with Sen. Joe Lieberman’s speech before the Republican National Convention Tuesday night.

“Senator Reid was very disappointed in Senator Lieberman’s speech tonight,” Reid spokesman, Jim Manley, told CNN. “As the American people have made very clear, the last thing this country needs is another four years of the same old failed Bush-McCain policies of the past.”

In particular, the Nevada Democrat took issue with Lieberman’s assertion that Obama has not crossed party lines.

Lieberman’s statement that “Senator Barack Obama is a gifted and eloquent young… but, my friends, eloquence is no substitute for a record, not in these tough times for America” also drew Reid’s ire, Manley said.

Democrats are attacking Lieberman because his speech was undeniably effective. They are running scared…

Looks like Barack Obama is advocating Democrats steal the election for him:

QUESTIONER: I would just like to know what you can say to reassure us that this election will not be rigged or stolen?

SEN. BARACK OBAMA: Well, I tell you what, it helps in Ohio that we’ve got Democrats in charge of the machines…

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett released the following statement in response to Obama’s comments:

“Barack Obama’s outrageous statements today basically amounted to an endorsement of vote-rigging. That may be how you win elections back in Chicago, but Ohioans tend to frown upon the idea of massive voter fraud, especially when it’s floated by a presidential candidate. Jennifer Brunner’s meddling with Ohio’s elections system and her firing of elections officials for political reasons has been disturbing enough, but it now seems the Obama-Brunner team are openly wearing the same partisan jersey. Ohioans will not stand for this blatant disregard for the integrity of our elections system.”

We’re not going to let Obama steal this election. They tried to steal Florida in 2000. They tried to steal Ohio in 2004. There is reasonable proof that Kerry did steal Wisconsin in 2004. Make no mistake about it. Democrats are already brewing up schemes to steal this election from John McCain.

Laura Bush is up now… Looking forward to a great night! I wish I was there.

UPDATE: Bush is up. Excerpts.

UPDATE, by Mark Noonan: Fred Thompson is hitting hard at governor Palin’s critics…well done.

UPDATE: Twittering the speeches here.

UPDATE, 10:40 PM: Joe Lieberman is up.

UPDATE: Fantastic night for the GOP!

As I’ve been watching the media trying to tear down Sarah Palin, it seems like one of the common questions is about the vetting process and whether or not she was “properly vetted.”

You know the media and the Democrats are desperate when their line of attack includes questions the vetting process.

No one asked about Obama’s vetting process when he picked fellow plagiarizer Joe Biden, whose son is a registered lobbyist, and who earlier this year attacked Obama for not having the necessary experience to be president.

It looks like that despite all the spectacle and Obama’s convention, that he could only muster a historically average 4 point bounce.

Comparing Obama’s current 49% support with the 45% he received immediately before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week suggests he received a 4-point bounce out of the convention, fairly typical of past convention bounces. 

Fairly typical? After all that hype? Other polls show an equally dismal situation for Obama. Rasmussen has Obama up by only 3. Zogby has McCain/Palin ahead of Obama/Biden by two points. And CNN has Obama up by a mere point.In other words, it’s pretty much a tie. When you look at the national polls saying its a statistical tie, and the nearly energized conservative base at the beginning of the Republican National Convention… It’s not a good time for the Obama campaign. 

I’ve got the details over here.

Click here!