Surprise?  First Two National Polls Find Palin Gains LESS Support from Women  —  NEW YORK The first national polls on John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin yesterday came out today from Rasmussen and Gallup — and contrary to what the GOP probably hoped, she scored less well with women than men.

MANIFESTLY UNSERIOUS.... At this point, I realize I'm belaboring the point.  “Sarah Palin is an awful choice for a running mate,” I can hear you saying, “We get it.”  —  But I can't help but think the magnitude of this mistake has not yet sunk in among political observers.

Zogby Poll: Equilibrium in the POTUS Race!  —  Brash McCain pick of AK Gov. Palin neutralizes historic Obama speech, stunts the Dems' convention bounce  —  UTICA, New York - Republican John McCain's surprise announcement Friday of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate …

Advisers Say Conservative Ire Pushed McCain Away From Picking Lieberman  —  WASHINGTON — In the end, the choice of his running mate said more about Senator John McCain and his image of himself than it did about Sarah Palin, the little-known governor of Alaska whose selection has shaken up the presidential race.

Obama Campaign Behind Anti-Palin Smear Site?  —  Suddenly appearing among the Google search results for “sarah palin gay,” a web site titled: Sarah Palin Supports Gay Rights. … Interesting.  There's nothing else on the page.  This sure looks like the work of the dastardly right-wing anti-gay attack machine, doesn't it?

Storm scrambles GOP convention  —  ST. PAUL, Minn. — President Bush is unlikely to make it to the Republican National Convention, and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) may deliver his acceptance speech via satellite because of the historically huge hurricane threatening New Orleans, top officials said.

McCain: I may postpone convention  —  John McCain said the Republican National Convention may be postponed as federal officials said Hurricane Gustav was gathering to a devastating Category 5 as it headed toward star-crossed New Orleans.  —  “It just wouldn't be appropriate to have a festive occasion …

McCain, Palin going to region threatened by storm  —  Featured Topics: - John McCain - Barack Obama  —  ST. PAUL, Minn. - Likely GOP presidential nominee John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, are traveling to Mississippi on Sunday to check on people getting prepared for Hurricane Gustav.

THE VET  —  The Post has a new article out, the gist of which is that far from being a last minute choice who possibly wasn't extensively vetted, Gov. Palin was a top contender in the veep search for some time and was extensively vetted.  “Nobody was vetted less or more than anyone in the final stages …