WE WAIT

Posted at 6:58 a.m. ET

Or, as they say in my former industry, the envelope please...

We wait for the results of the Republican convention.  Senator McCain's speech got decidedly mixed reviews.  I felt it was quite good - the kind of speech that appeals to the gut, to Americans who want to have pride in their leaders.  The people shall judge.

The McCain-Palin ticket is in Wisconsin today.  First indicator to look for - the size and enthusiasm of their crowds.  We'll especially be watching for the response to Sarah.  If she ignites, she may do more for McCain than any vice-presidential candidate has done for the top of the ticket since Lyndon Johnson delivered Texas to Jack Kennedy in 1960.  If she doesn't ignite...well, let's not think about that.

One institution that came out of the GOP convention in ragged shape is the media.  In a way, this may help the McCain ticket.  The Republican base is energized, and one of the things that provided the octane was the mass assault on Sarah Palin.  That assault also gives the McCain forces the maneuvering room, the rationale, to move around the press and speak directly to the American people, which was one of the tactics used by Ronald Reagan.  It added immensely to his succeess.

Conventions create, not memories, but images.  Few remember the words.  They do recall how they reacted to the words, to the person on the screen.  That's what will be measured by the pollsters in the next few days.

May the best man/woman ticket win.  I'm not giving you much choice.

September 5, 2008.