Well, I have to admit, I do look forward to seeing what Sarah Palin's responses will be on a whole range of national issues which she has never has had to deal with as Governor of Alaska.  Who knows, perhaps she'll surprise me with some amazing answers, but I expect nothing but cookie-cutter Republican talking points.  Biden might talk too much, McCain might be hot-headed, and Obama might be wishy-washy, but hey at least they know what they are talking about, for the most part.

I was reflecting on this some more through the day today, and something else hit me.

I've always been a very sentimental soul when it comes to 'God & Country' stuff, don't ask me why.  I still get a little choked up during the National Anthem any time I hear it.  Give me a military jet team flying overhead & I'm completely verklempt.

As moving as Obama's speech was, it never stirred any sort of emotional reaction in me.  Not the case with Palin's - parts of it did choke me up a bit, simple & straightforward as it was.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think the differing responses related to my inate 'sincerity meter' - I found Palin to be more genuine & Obama to be too polished, too 'engineered,' too Hollywood slick.

Those feelings were reinforced a bit this evening, if indirectly.  I did not get to see the Saddleback Forum at the time it aired, but I watched all of it this evening.  The contrast between the men was stark.  Obama tiptoeing on eggshells for an hour, hyperexplaining, hyperqualifying, constantly looking for a way to say two things at once, somewhat defensive or afraid to offend.  McCain polite but blunt, concise & without hesitation or fear.  The difference could be seen in their eyes and body language - you didn't even need audio.  McCain is comfortable in his own skin & grounded in his beliefs, whether you agree with them or not.  Obama didn't seem sure of much of anything.

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