Citizen Sarah Storms Small-Town America!

Sarah Palin, in her acceptance speech tonight to the Republican National Convention, exceeded expectations with a winning, combative address that set the table for John McCain's speech tomorrow night, and laid down a challenge to her antagonists and detractors: I've come a long way, dude, and you ain't seen nothin' yet!

The New York Times reports:

After days of mounting questions about her qualifications, Gov. Sarah Palin rallied the Republican National Convention tonight by touting her small-town government experience and ridiculing concerns about whether she is up to the job of vice president.

“Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown,” Ms. Palin said. “And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that 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.”

The remark was a not-so-veiled shot at the career of Senator Barack Obama, who began his public service as a community organizer in Chicago.

In spirited remarks that were embraced by a crowd that was thirsty to learn more about her, Ms. Palin also took on what she portrays as an elite media establishment unwilling to accept that her government service in a small town and a sparsely populated state gives her the resume to serve at the highest levels of the federal government.

“I’ve learned quickly, these past few days, that if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone,” she said in her remarks. “But here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion – I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this country."

At the conclusion of her address, Senator John McCain joined her on stage and asked the cheering crowd, “Don’t you think we made the right choice for the next vice president of the United States?

With many of the Republicans gathered here already angry at the intense spotlight that has been put on Governor Palin and her family, the rebuke of the media and her critics found a warm reception in the Xcel Energy Center.

Anticipating a strong performance by the governor, Democrats quickly countered the idea that tonight’s appearance was a test of the vice presidential candidate, saying instead it was a reflection of Senator John McCain’s judgment in selecting her.

After tonight, if there was ever any doubt, McCain's judgment looks shrewdly decisive.

Palin spoke for people all across the country with an aggressive shot across the Democratic ticket:

I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involved.

(APPLAUSE)

I guess - I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities.

(APPLAUSE)

I might add that, in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they're listening and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening.

(APPLAUSE)

No, we tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.

Barack Obama is wiping his brow right now! And Biden better be ready for that vice-presidential debate!

The McCain campaign's storming the nation, from small towns across the country, from Wasilla to the White House in November.

Photo Credit: New York Times