1:03 - On second thought, that "eighteen million cracks" line wasn't just intended for angry women Democrats as I kind of sexistishly wrote. I think they're going for all women.

This could — if the McCain/Palin team plays this right — change everything. We'll see.

12:50 - She didn't talk at all about her policies. At all! That was completely about her being a "reformer" and a "woman" and "an all American mom." I wonder how long they're gonna try to hold back on her conservativism.

And how long before the Obama campaign begins carpet bombing the press with its spin.

12:46 – Is that closing music from "Halloween" or "The Exorcist"?

12:44 – She's invoked the name Hillary Clinton! And her "eighteen million cracks" line! They're totally going after all the angry women Democrats. But it seems really, really calculated. Is John McCain really getting that scared?

12:40 – A veteran and a veteran's mom. Burn that idea into your brain, because you're gonna hear it a lot.

12:39 – They're really playing this one as a choice for independents. That's gonna be McCain's message hardcore from now on. Despite their records, they're not gonna run as Republicans.

12:37 – She's gonna win McCain some votes. No doubt about it. She's as American as Baked Alaska.

12:36 – I like her. I'm sure I'll hate her politics, but she seems really likable.

12:35 - The phrase "hockey mom" has officially been added to the American lexicon.

12:34 – As well as an infant son? No way!

12:33 – Whoa! A kid in Iraq? That's good.

12:32 – Did I just catch McCain checking out Palin's junk?

12:31 – They share a birthday/anniversary? That's too awesome.

12:30 – I really hope this doesn't turn into some kind of Harriet Myers or Dan Quayle situation. I hope that she's as tough and qualified as they keep saying she is.

12:29 – Wow. That is a handsome woman.

12:28 – Here she comes!

12:27 – McCain is reading the shit out of that piece of paper with his speech on on it. It's like he's giving a book report. C'mon man, didn't you watch last night's speech?

12:26 – Hey, look! There's more than 80 people in that room! Good for you, McCain!

12:25 – Is the crowd booing "elementary school teacher"? WTF?

12:24 – "Someone with executive experience." Yeah, I guess she will be the only one in the race with that.

12:22 – "I had many good people to choose from." Don't forget Joe Lieberman.

12:19 – McCain just took the stage. He's getting a very nice birthday reception.

12:17 – Mary says: "One of the news channels just called Palin a 'sportsman.' Is there something we don't know?"

12:07 - I just thought of something interesting. The media is all over the fact that no matter who wins in November, history will be made. Either a black man or a woman will be in the White House. But I haven't yet heard anyone point out that both of the two freak states — Hawaii and Alaska — are now represented in this race.

12:01 – On the state investigation that many thought would kill her chances at the VP nod…

"…questions have now arisen over whether Palin used her office to try and fire her ex -brother-in-law from a state trooper's position. Palin asserts the charge is untrue, but the Alaska Senate this week approved the hiring of an independent investigator to look into the allegation."

You'd better believe that more people than the Alaska Senate will looking into those allegations.

11:53 – One thing is certain. Sarah Palin — whom most of the country was unaware of when they woke up this morning — is a brand new huge player in the Republican Party. And she's young. Even if the McCain/Palin ticket loses in November, I wouldn't be surprised to see her as a viable presidential candidate in the years to come.

11:40 - Mary says: "The real question is, will she wear a pantsuit?"

11:39 - By the way, we'll be seeing Palin speak in Dayton, Ohio at around noon.

11:38 - It's gonna be really interesting to see how Clinton feminists respond to this. She's opposed to equal pay reform and is an outspoken critic of Row v. Wade.

11:35 - John McCain has officially announced that Sarah Palin will be Republican nominee for vice-president.

11:20 - I can't wait to get to Minneapolis next week and talk to some conservatives about their feelings.

11:15 - I'll tell you one thing: If McCain wins in 2008 and decides not to run a second term, 2012 could be a crazy election cycle. Can you imagine a Clinton vs. Palin scenario? Oh my God, it's almost enough to make me pull for McCain to win.

11:13 - So, here we have 72-year-old John McCain and a young, relatively inexperienced, Washington outsider as his running mate. What happens if John McCain dies? Will she be ready to lead our country? And is that any different than electing Barack Obama? She, at least, has experience as an executive commander.

11:08 – Mary says: "This woman kills bears with her bare hands. She will not fear attack doggie Biden."

11:05 - Palin kind of is the female, less doughy version of Pat Buchanan. So, I'm curious about whether this really is going to pull in the women Democrats who have been leaning toward McCain. Sure, she's a woman, but she's also vehemently pro-life.

10:41 - Yes, Virginia, there will be a woman in this half of the election cycle.

MSNBC just issued a special report that John McCain has chosen hyper-conservative Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential nominee.

And she is considerably more attractive than Joe Lieberman. No offense to Lieberman, but Palin is only 44-years-old (that's even younger than Barack Obama) and as MILFy as they come.

On the other hand, she's not particularly experienced (I wonder how McCain will sally forth without that meme), having been in office for less than two years. It'll be interesting to see how she'll look going up against the very experienced Joe Biden in veep debates.

You know, it's too bad presidential and vice-presidential candidates don't get to debate each other. I think most people would rather watch Palin go up aginst Obama.