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.

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, 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.

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 …

Mayor Orders the Evacuation of New Orleans  —  NEW ORLEANS — City officials ordered everyone to leave New Orleans beginning Sunday morning — the first mandatory evacuation since Hurricane Katrina flooded the city three years ago — as Hurricane Gustav grew into what the city's mayor on Saturday called …

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 …