Why I love Sarah Palin

When Alaska Governor Sarah Palin finished her speech last night, I looked at my wife and said, "I love that woman." Hopefully my wife knows exactly what I meant.

Of course she's good looking and very appealing, but that's not why I love her. Her good looks are simply a brilliant method of getting our attention. Once we listen, we discover there's far more to Sarah Palin.

The first thing I love about her, is that the liberals hate her. That's always a plus.

But what really made her remarks memorable was her straighforward manner. She didn't flower anything up, or try to use politician-speak. She may as well have been the next door neighbor getting ready for a block party. I'm probably not alone, but I've sort of taken posession of her in my mind, like she and I have some sort of personal connection, just her and I. Don't get creeped out by it... I'm just being honest.

The comments about going to Washington for the people, and not to please the press corp and pundits made me happy. When she talked about Barack Obama returning the styrofoam pillars, I was glowing. "Yes!", I thought. When she challenged Obama's ridicule of her small-town roots, I felt all of small-town America connect with her.

Despite the reservations I may have about McCain, Sarah Palin has won our hearts to this year's Republican ticket. I'm not so naive as to believe that things couldn't change in the coming turbulent weeks, but at present, all is well. Hopefully this is the first of many pleasant surprises from John McCain.

At the end of her speech when her family -- complete with a Down's syndrome baby and a pregnant unmarried teen daughter they refused to hide -- walked onto the stage I realized that that may not be my family, or your family, but they are a genuine American family. Warts and all. That image re-connected me, at least for a while, to politics far better than focused-grouped phrases, a plastic smile, or an Ivy-League resume.

When I think of a "qualified" candidate, experience is just one part of an intangible equation. I look for character, honesty, decisiveness, and humility. I make an honest effort to get a feel for the essence of who they are. At first glance, Sarah Palin has the essence. She has a platinum spine inside that soft exterior. I'm not worried nearly as much about media opposition. She'll kick them to the curb, and smile the whole time.

We have reason to rejoice as conservatives.