John Podhertz at Commentary/Contentions compared this speech to Obama's 2004 convention speech - which appalled me. Palin's speech was condescending, contemptuous and mean-spirited. And for those reasons, entirely unmemorable. Who would want to re-listen to it - as millions have with Obama's speech - as it doesn't uplift, it deflates.

For me, this speech laid out the plan until November: attack. There is no recognizable policy, the Republican brand is trashed, there is literally nothing to run on except drilling for oil, so they move to - surprise! - making it all about Obama. And it won't matter if they have to lie their way there - as was the pattern in all the speeches tonight. We have crossed the line into ruthless and unprincipled. Palin is a prop to obfuscate the tactic (pretty, smiles a lot, and sticks to the script).

I also noted just how much Obama has influenced literally everything about this election cycle. Palin ended her speech talking about hope and change. They've been forced to co-opt rather than innovate and inspire. Telling.

Will it play? For the guilt-ridden MSM, the answer is clearly yes. My own feeling overall was that this night at the RNC was just too dark and nasty, so I'm hoping undecideds are looking for more. And, at the very least, she energized the Democratic base. That's two weeks in a row for us!