6 things the Palin pick says about McCain  —  The selection of a running mate is among the most consequential, most defining decisions a presidential nominee can make.  John McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says a lot about his decison-making — and some of it is downright breathtaking.

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?

The hostess with the moosest  —  Over in the Frumistan province of the NR caliphate, our pal David is not happy about the Palin pick.  I am - for several reasons.  —  First, Governor Palin is not merely, as Jay describes her, “all-American”, but hyper-American.

Cindy McCain tells Stephanopoulos that Obama Offended Her  —  ABC News' George Stephanopoulos reports: Democrats' attacks on her family's wealth are unfair and offensive, Cindy McCain said today in an interview airing tomorrow on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”

Palin Pick  —  I was travelling on business yesterday, so had some time to reflect on the pick before posting my reaction.  My immediate reaction to the announcement was relief.  Given the options that McCain was considering, at least he chose someone who is apparently conservative both socially and fiscally.

Palin's Trooper'Gate: Beating MSM distortions to the truth  —  **Welcome readers from Lucianne, Ace of Spades, Gateway Pundit, Protein Wisdom, The Corner, Wizbang, The Strata-Sphere, Macsmind, and Memeorandum....thanks for the link!  It's been over 12 hours now since Alaskan Governor, Sarah Palin, has been named as GOP choice of Veep.

Fowler Fouls: Hurricane is God's Favor to Democrats  —  Plus, it's totally funny!  —  On a plane from Denver to Charlotte following the Democrats' convention, I found myself seated behind former National Chairman of the Democratic National Committee Don Fowler and Congressman John Spratt of South Carolina.

What's wrong with this Hurricane?  —  I just noticed that the daily brief customarily done in advance of a hurricane is happening because Gustov is bearing down on the Gulf Coast...but a big shift here: the briefing is being given by NORTHCOM.  So what does this tell us and why does it matter?

Inside an RNC Raid  —  Thanks to the miracle of cellular technology, I was able to talk to a homeowner while his home was surrounded by police conducting an RNC-related raid.  At approximatedly two-thirty this afternoon, I reached Mike Whelan, a waiter and army veteran, at his duplex at 951 Inglehart Dr. in St. Paul, Minnesota.

GOP grassroots on fire  —  I've been covering the GOP presidential race since November of 2006.  In those many months — across many states — I have never seen a crowd with the energy that I witnessed yesterday at the Erwin Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.  —  Yes, there was an inherent buzz owing to the pending veep announcement.