Exclusive: Chief Fired by Palin Speaks Out  —  The July firing of Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan by Gov. Sarah Palin, who was announced as John McCain's running mate on Friday, has unearthed a stream of soap-opera-like details about Palin, her husband, her family and top state appointees.

Palin  —  The longer I think about it, the less well this selection sits with me.  And I increasingly doubt that it will prove good politics.  The Palin choice looks cynical.  The wires are showing.  —  John McCain wanted a woman: good.  —  He wanted to keep conservatives and pro-lifers happy: naturally.

Palin on Iraq  —  Make of this what you will:  —  I, frankly, have no idea what she's trying to say here.  Apparently the McCain campaign didn't think it was important to brief her on their Iraq policy before she did an interview with Time  —  UPDATE: Apologies, I misunderstood …

Three Words  —  Think about what the Palin pick really says about how McCain views this campaign and how he views his potential responsibilities in national security.  —  Think about what it says about the sincerity of McCain's own central criticism of Obama these past two months in foreign affairs.

Buchanan: Palin was a ‘brigader for me’ in '96  —  Perhaps Rep. Robert Wexler's instincts were right here, and the Obama campaign will likely drive this one home with the Jewish community in Florida and Ohio: Palin (along with her husband), says former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan, was a “brigader for me in 1996.”

Dems armed with Palin opposition  —  Sarah Palin may be a complete stranger to most of the American public, but there's an important subset of the population that's doubtless already very familiar with John McCain's surprise vice presidential pick: Democratic opposition researchers.

Obama's Speech Is a TV Hit, With Viewers and Commentators Alike  —  At least 40 million Americans watched Senator Barack Obama accept the Democratic nomination for president Thursday night, a record for convention viewership that exceeded even the expectations of his aides.

Now a hurricane, Gustav heads for Cuba, eyes US  —  HAVANA (AFP) — Tropical Storm Gustav regained hurricane strength as it churned toward Cuba Friday, leaving 78 people dead in its wake, as New Orleans began voluntary evacuations ahead of the storm's projected arrival next week.