Live-Blogging The McCain-Palin Announcement

10:53 AM: It will be fun to follow Meghan McCain's impressions of Sarah Palin on the campaign trail. How do we know that Meghan's blog is not "approved" by the campaign? Because she says Kid Rock's "Rock N Roll Jesus" is the CD of the summer--not necessarily a conservative pick!

11:01 AM: Carl Cameron is gloating over members of the media that are "grimacing" because Fox beat them to the Palin announcement. Cameron says a band just covered a "KISS" song on stage. Could this day get any better? He notes that this news is eclipsing the post-Obama speech coverage successfully. Karl Rove earlier said "no one is covering the Obama-Biden appearance in Beaver, Pennsylvania." Cameron is talking about the Obama's news release dismissing the choice--I agree that it's not tactically a good move coming off a convention in which the country had to be convinced that Hillary shouldn't be President.

11:17 AM: McCain, Meghan, and Cindy hit the stage as "Right Now" by Van Halen blares. Yep, this campaign is trying to get hip. Supporters begin to sing "Happy Birthday". McCain laughs: "thanks for reminding me!"

11:20 AM: He talks about Dayton--using it as a backdrop to deliver a working class message. He now says he's been looking for a running mate that can shake up Washington and make it work again. I wish someone would fix the squeal on his microphone. Notes that she is a union member as well as her husband. He notes this is the week we celebrate women's sufferage--that sets off cheers--this equates to Obama's historic references. "The next vice-president of the United States: Governor Sarah Palin of the great state of Alaska!"

11:28 AM: She appears with her husband and family and waves. Good Lord, it's really happening.

11:29 AM: He mutters "no hurry" to her as the crowd cheers while she stands at the podium. But she starts anyway. I think he expected to pose a bit and head toward the back of the stage. But he now stands next to her. She introduces husband Todd--they are celebrating their 20th anniversary today. "I promised him a little surprise for our anniversary and I hope he knows I've delivered." She talks about the son that is not there--he enlisted on September 11th last year--he will be deployed to Iraq on September 11. Michael Moore will be furious. The crowd chants "USA!" She's plain spoken and describes herself as a "hockey mom." She's doing great. She talks about standing up against the "good ol' boy network." That brings cheers. She's hitting her themes perfectly. Reforms, ethics, energy, reaching across the aisle, ending earmarks. "This is a man who serves his country, not just his party." She honors Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton--perfect. She says Clinton made cracks in the glass ceiling--it's time for women to shatter the glass.

She did great.

Now a bi-partisan note: we are ASSURED of a historic presidential election in November. I am honored to live in this time.