The Republican National Convention may be the place where John McCain officially accepts his party’s nomination. But it’s Sarah Palin’s show.

She dazzled the crowd at the Xcel Center Wednesday night, which had been subdued during the first two evenings. Palin generated excitement with her digs at the Democratic ticket. “A small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have
actual responsibilities,” she said. A small group of elderly women in the Kansas delegation started chanting “Yes, We Can,” when Palin talked about shattering the glass ceiling.

She didn’t say anything that we haven’t heard before from Republicans. She criticized the media and Washington elites, made Democrats out to be soft on terrorism, and spoke romantically of her small-town roots. She got two Obamas with one quip when she said that people in small towns “are always proud of America.” She made herself seem oh so normal.

But not everyone goes from the PTA to the Governor’s mansion. What’s new about Palin is the packaging. She’s giving the GOP and McCain a chance to re-brand: Maverick 2.0.

The Christian conservatives are thrilled about her and will probably motivate their base to get out the vote. Fiscal conservatives are happy. (Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform calls her “a solid Reagan republican.”) And she might manage to rouse young
people inside and outside the party.

Trey Stinnett, the youngest delegate in the Texas delegation, was “ecstatic” after Palin’s speech. “I think Sarah absolutely rocked the house,” he said. He was wearing a cowboy hat that had “Palin is hot” scribbled in a black marker on the top.

His girlfriend, twenty-one year old Paula Stang (and alternate delegate) called Palin “refreshing.”

“There’s a palpable feeling of ‘we can do this,’ ” former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele said after Palin’s performance. “Folks in the party are now ready to win this race.”

Day Two of the RNC

Day One of the RNC

RNC Security at All Costs