I think McCain gave a solid speech, probably not as dynamic as Sarah Palin’s, not as much the “watercooler talk,” but I think that he played well to his strengths as a reformer and a fiscal Conservative. I don’t think that McCain needed a speech that eclipsed Sarah Palin’s. She needed a speech to introduce herself to America, and do it with a bang, especially after the trashing she and her family received from the media. McCain needed to lay out a clear vision, which is really hard to make as dynamic and memorable as the kind of speech Palin gave.

I think the speech was much more hopeful, and included a lot more details of change than Mr. HopeChange’s speech last week.

I also think that some of the picture of McCain painted by other speakers and the videos helped to give a little history behind the man, which is impressive.

I think that lines like “I understand who I work for. I don’t work for a party. I don’t work for a special interest. I don’t work for myself. I work for you” will resonate with people. I still think that the majority in America wants a government that enables them, not spoon feeds them; and feel disenchanted with Washington. 

My response last night was “wow.” My response tonight was more along the lines of “I may not agree with him all the time, but I can respect him, and I feel better voting for him.” Not as big a wow factor, but definitely something I think that people can get behind.

In all, I think it was a good speech, that did what McCain needed.