As an aside, Roberta McCain is something else.  I was interviewed by French TV tonight (you can’t go 10 feet without getting asked for an interview by the literally thousands of credentialed media here), and they asked me about John McCain’s age.  I was able to point at Roberta and say, “Unless John McCain plans to be president for 24 years, I think he’ll be fine.”

The audience was beside itself, welcoming her with a 5-minute ovation and following with many more.

Expectations had been sky-high, and Sarah Palin had exceeded them.  The speech was an instant classic, and you could tell just by looking at our faces that those of us in attendance were thinking to ourselves “I’m watching history.”

I spoke to many delegates afterwards.  Almost every conversation was the same:

Me: “What did you think?”

Them: (visible catching of breath)  “Oh my gosh, that was the greatest speech I’ve ever seen.”

Perhaps folks were just caught up in the moment, but it was really, really good.  In five days, Sarah Palin had completed her rise from anonymous governor to rock star, and you knew the political universe would never be the same.

These people love Sarah Palin, and they cannot wait to let her know.  And in a few hours, they will get their chance.  The flood of emotions will likely be incredible. 

And the Northeast media’s arrogant and sexist treatment of this accomplished American governor has outraged people here, and I suspect, Americans everywhere.  As usual, their best efforts are backfiring, but this may take the cake.  The net effect here has been a massive increase in support for Palin, which seemed hard to imagine since Republicans were practically dancing in the streets the day she was announced. 

I could be wrong, but I think the roof is gonna come off the Xcel Center tonight.  With what we got to see of her last Friday, it’s hard to imagine that tonight’s performance won’t solidify her status as a superstar.

Delegates don’t seem to be that shaken up about the scheduling changes.  Most headed over to an all-delegate party at the Minneapolis Convention Center tonight.  I think everyone understands it’s the right thing to do, and I think they’re still hopeful that Gustav will not cause the devastation of Katrina, though no one can say what will happen.

That will fire up delegates this week.

Just as two local examples, RNC delegate Pam Pollard serves as Oklahoma County Chair, and RNC alternate delegate Cheryl Williams serves as Oklahoma Vice Chair.  And there isn’t a more active organization within the Republican Party (at least here in Oklahoma) than the Federation of Republican Women.  

So that being said, it’s quite fitting that the first female Vice President of the United States may very well be a Republican. 

And if the overwhelmingly positive response to the pick of Sarah Palin is any indication, that may indeed come to pass.  Here’s Michael McNutt’s coverage of the Oklahoma reaction, including from the aforementioned Cheryl Williams.

The energy today is amazing.  I think it’s safe to say that every Oklahoma delegate’s enthusiasm for next week’s events just increased by an order of magnitude.  I know mine has.

As an aside, I’ve had hundreds of conversations over the last six months with people from all over the country regarding who might be McCain’s V.P. pick.  And only ONE person ever even mentioned Sarah Palin.  So I have to give credit to Jeff Cloud, a man ahead of his time.