Sarah Palin’s campaign slogan in her 2006 Governor’s race was “New Energy for Alaska” and she has certainly brought New Energy to the GOP. 

I like ‘retail politics’: the door-to-door, talking to people, and especially BBQ kind of politics.  I volunteer at GOP Headquarters (Whitesburg and Airport by Publix); I also volunteered during the 2006 and 2004 election cycles at Parkway Place Mall (talk about retail politics). Compared to my prior experience, I can report that more people are coming in now asking for signs and bumper stickers than I’ve ever seen. Note to the Madison County GOP - you’re going to need more signs…

And these people are energized!  People came in wanting to give money, volunteer their time, get signs and stickers, and just talk about how much McCain and Palin mean to them.  Did you know that John McCain smells nice?  I didn’t either until today…

Somewhat surprisingly, the energy is not just for Palin. She was the spark, but people have been reminded of just who John McCain is, and they remember that they like him - and that they have enormous respect for his service and for his character.

Not so surprisingly, the women I met love Sarah Palin and they appreciate McCain for choosing her for his Vice President.  They appreciate men for their whole-hearted support of Palin; this pleasantly surprised some women I spoke to, I think that they weren’t expecting such a warm response…  Hmm. Smart, well-spoken, attractive, and she hunts and fishes…

Former California State Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown (D), wrote Palin floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee in the San Francisco Chronicle:

The Democrats are in trouble. Sarah Palin has totally changed the dynamics of this campaign.

Period.

Palin’s speech to the GOP National Convention on Wednesday has set it up so that the Republicans are now on offense and Democrats are on defense. And we don’t do well on defense.

BA-DUM-BUMP

From taxes to oil drilling, Democrats are now going to have to start explaining their positions.

Whenever you start having to explain things, you’re on defense…

She didn’t have to prove she was “of the people.” She really is the people.

Brown adds this tip on restaurant etiquette:

By the way, there’s a new dining tip for people going out in Oakland.

Be sure to order soup.

That way when the robbery starts, you can slip off your jewelry and drop it into soup so the robbers won’t see it.