With the audience enraptured by her alternately earnest, sarcastic, and fiery tones, Sarah Palin delivered a potent speech about reform, executive experience, and motherhood. At one point joking that the only difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull was lipstick, Palin used the stage as an opportunity to bark at the "liberal media," the "Washington elite," and the Obama campaign:

"And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on [mayoral] experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

You had to admire the gumption, sense of humor, and graceful ease with which she addressed the nation—unless, you're a community organizer, most of whom are probably furious right now, wondering why a campaign whose slogan is "Country First" would sic their pit bull on people who dedicate themselves to serving communities when government fails them.



Photo: all eyes, lenses focus on Palin.