Thirty-seven million viewers tuned in last night to hear Gov. Sarah Palin’s address. That is only one million fewer viewers than Obama had last Thursday. My guess is that more people will remember Palin’s speech than remember McCain’s.
McCain was not in his favorite venue tonight, and that green background at the beginning was odd. But I think McCain did what he needed to do: spoke from the heart to independents and undecided voters. He was able to (in a tactful manner) contrast himself with the Bush record when he spoke of using the veto pen, challenging corruption, and of course that stirring paragraph when he blasted the Republican party for being changed by Washington rather than being change agents. He also contrasted himself effectively with Obama, giving specifics on “kitchen table” issues like education and health care. I thought McCain’s personal story about how he was transformed from a hot-shot pilot into a patriotic, servant-hearted, country-first man during his time as a POW was very powerfully delivered.
Palin effect? CBS (whose polls generally lean left) has McCain and Obama tied in a post-Palin poll.