Republican National Convention

Folksy, big, broad, and populist — and the crowd loved it. Initially lavished praise on Palin with the good ol' boy charm that made his supporters believe he himself would be the party's 2008 presidential nominee. The former Tennessee senator and Law & Order star used the bulk of the time to review (in at times graphic detail) the biographical history of his close friend John McCain, infusing his tales with the core convention themes of honor, duty, patriotism, and character. Frequently mocked Obama and Biden without naming them, slamming Obama as the most liberal and inexperienced person to seek the presidency. Occasionally slurred his words and stepped on the audience's applause, which was sort of surprising for a seasoned performer.