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.

Palin electrifies conservative base  —  ST. PAUL - The selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate has electrified conservative activists, providing a boost of energy to the GOP nominee-in-waiting from a key constituency that had been previously had been lukewarm - at best - about him.

Small Change From Obama  —  DENVER — The Democrats had themselves a successful convention — at the price of appearing quite conventional.  —  The delegates left here happy and enthused, believing that the divisive nomination fight was finally behind them.

Sarah Palin (R-Diversity)  —  Thanks a lot, John McCain.  With his selection of an unknown, two-year female governor as his running mate, he has just ensured that the diversity racket will be an essential component of presidential politics forever more.  Had the 44-year-old Sarah Palin …

Palin - Not The Most Inexperienced  —  This is simply so ignorant you have to laugh: … Matthew Dallek....Presidential historian or speechwriter for Dick Gephardt?  Guess he could be both but judging from this statement I wouldn't bet on the historian part.  —  Yes, I know...who cares who he is.

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.

McCains, Palin going to region threatened by storm  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Likely GOP presidential nominee John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, are traveling to Mississippi to check on people getting prepared for Hurricane Gustav.  —  McKain aides say McCain and his wife Cindy …

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 …

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.