Giuliani and Palin at the RNC
Rudy Giuliani's speech did not start off well. It was awkward and at times seemed bitter, like he still couldn't understand why he wasn't the nominee. He seemed overwhelmed by the crowd. He made a major fumble in dissing Hillary Clinton, considering how hard the Republicans have been courting her supporters. But by the end he seemed to hit his stride and find his comfort zone. Still, not a great speech overall. But when he said, "How dare they ask if Sarah Palin has enough time to raise her kids and govern at the same time? When have they ever asked a man that?" it was electrifying. I can guarantee you have never heard those words at a Republican National Convention before!

But tonight was really Sarah Palin's night. This was her chance to not only let people get to know her, but to win over the naysayers. And she knocked it out of the fucking ballpark. (Though once again she brought up the "I said thanks but no thanks to the bridge to nowhere" line, which we now know ain't exactly true, and a lot of the same "Obama's going to raise your taxes" fearmongering. Also I never want to hear the words "hockey mom" again. Sorry, hockey moms.) She was strong, personable, compassionate, tough and humorous. Claiming that parents of special needs kids, as she is, would have an advocate in the White House was an amazing moment. She was also, at times, an effective attack dog, as vice presidents are often asked to be. She got off quite a few zingers. This vice presidential candidate is now, as they say, in play.

Though I got a little creeped out by a closeup of some angry-looking Aryan youth in the crowd chanting "USA! USA!" Yeesh!

And not to be mean or anything, but Bristol Palin's boyfriend had this "What have I gotten myself into?" look on his face the whole night. I actually feel kind of bad for him, even if by all accounts he's a douchebag. This was so not what he bargained for when he finally went all the way with his girlfriend.