McCain congratulates Obama on historic night and video of Obama's speech

Obama's speech

McCain rebuts 7 claims in the speech

McCain Campaign Statement on Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech-"MISLEADING CLAIM #1: Barack Obama Can Bring Democrats And Republicans Together....MISLEADING CLAIM #2: Barack Obama Will Ensure That Our Troops On The Ground Have "The Equipment They Need In Battle."....MISLEADING CLAIM #3: Barack Obama Has Not Supported The President.... MISLEADING CLAIM #4: John McCain Believes We've Made "Great Progress" And Families Aren't Hurting....MISLEADING CLAIM #5: Barack Obama Will Pay For His Massive Spending Increase....MISLEADING CLAIM #6: Under Barack Obama, We Will Achieve Energy Independence....MISLEADING CLAIM #7: Barack Obama Will Cut Taxes."

McCain picks VP that seals up the social conservative/evangelical vote unanimously

James Dobson of Focus on the Family and Dennis Prager at Townhall says, “I Would Pull that Lever”-" I shared with a colleague just a few minutes ago exactly what you said about the period of time when Ronald Reagan had broken onto the scene and I was in Washington D.C. the day he was inaugurated. That was one of the most exciting days of my life, because everything that we had hoped for and been working for had come to pass. I feel very much that way today. Maybe that’s an overstatement. Maybe time won’t validate it, but this is a very exciting and encouraging day for conservatives and pro-family activists. I am just very, very pleased....I was just with about 300, maybe 400 people in a large auditorium, and they put Sarah Palin’s speech on the screen and we sat there and watched. I’m telling you it was electric. These were conservatives, you know. They were mostly Christian, but not all of them were. I mean to tell you, it set that crowd on fire. If that’s any indication, I think we are going to see some things. Prager: We sure are. Well, you made my day. I just want you to know that."

Jill Stanek (for more on Jill Stanek see 7 part series "Jill Stanek vs Obama" starting at New Documents Revealing Obama's cover up on Born Alive Infant Protection) says, "John McCain just hit a grand slam."-"But Palin told the Anchorage Daily News in April, "We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed." Meanwhile, Barack Obama, actively opposed legislation as IL state senator to protect little babies with Down syndrome who had survived their abortions but were being shelved in a hospital soiled utility room to die...In fact, I presented my testimony 3 times before committees then-state Sen. Obama sat, describing my experience of holding a baby with Down syndrome for 45 minutes until he died who was an abortion survivor. Obama was unmoved and aggressively opposed the IL Born Alive Infants Protect Act."

Jay Sekulow (top evangelical lawyer Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for The American Center for Law and Justice) says, Democrats 'are scared'-"The response is incredible from the grassroots. It is as if the campaign has just launched with rocket fuel....The Brody File is also told from a top Republican activist that two prominent social conservative leaders in the past 24 hours have decided to attend the GOP convention. They were not planning to attend before the Palin pick.In addition, The Brody File has been told that a top evangelical business leader has contacted the McCain campaign and offered to host a fundraiser with many of his evangelical friends."

Off of the AP "McCain's VP Choice Energizes Evangelicals"-"By choosing Palin, "McCain is saying to social and religious conservatives, 'I'm taking your views incredibly seriously,"' said Michael Cromartie, director of the evangelical studies program at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington."

David Brody from CBNnews.com reports, Palin Pick Causes 'Elation' among Evangelical Leaders-"Wow. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is John McCain's pick for Vice-President. Folks, this is s close to a game changer as you can get....Evangelical community and the reaction has been EXTREMELY POSITIVE. As a matter of fact, I am told that when conservative leaders heard the news this morning at a meeting at the Council for National Policy, one attendee told me that there is "nothing but elation. People are giddy. They are energized and they now believe that in fact this campaign has the ability to win this election."...Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council: Senator McCain made an outstanding pick from the choices that were on the table. Sarah Palin clearly addresses the issues so many conservatives are concerned about. It balances out the ticket....It was a very strategic move by John McCain...This from one of the key Evangelical leaders out there, Mat Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel: "Absolutely brilliant choice. John McCain could not have chosen a better vice-presidential nominee that Gov. Palin. She is attractive, articulate, conservative, pro-family, pro-life, and pro-marriage. John McCain hit this one out of the ballpark."...Also, let me just say that while Palin may not be known much nationally, conservative Evangelical leaders know all about her and think the World of her. They like her. She has been involved and active with many Christian organizations....John McCain just changed this race dramatically. Now we will see whether the Evangelical base comes storming to his side. The bet here is that it is very likely."

Janice Shaw Crouse spokesperson for Concerned Women for America says, 'Take that Feminists!'-"It is particularly significant that there is a conservative woman nominated for the nation's second highest office. For years the feminist movement has acknowledged for leadership only those women who embrace a radical agenda. How refreshing that now we have a woman who reflects the values of mainstream American women. Sarah Palin is pro-life, pro-marriage and pro-family. She is a woman who is balancing the personal and professional in admirable ways."

OneNewsNow.com reports, A GOP first -- female VP nominee-"...Does the addition of Gov. Sarah Palin as VP strengthen or weaken the GOP presidential ticket?" Out of 28832 mainly evangelical social conservatives reported 91.64% "strengthen" and only 2.48% says it will have no effect and you figure the last figure as to whether they believe this weakens the ticket. "Dr. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission, says Palin's addition to the ticket should mobilize evangelical voters....Palin has called abortion an atrocity, and she helped Alaska pass the nation's first marriage protection amendment in 1998...Christian activist Dr. Gary Cass also believes evangelicals will strongly support McCain now that he has chosen Palen as his running mate. Cass is chairman of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission (CADC), which this past spring unveiled an online petition for a true Christian vice president. The document called on presidential nominees for both major political parties to select a running mate who as been born again, who publicly affirms historic Christianity, and who has a proven record of supporting traditional Christian morality."

Matt Friedman of OneNewNow.com says, The Palin factor-"With Palin, the conservative base is energized, reaching into their pocketbooks and signing up as volunteers. No other running mate choice could have even come close to invigorating the base as this one has....This columnist has often predicted that when a woman rose to the level of president or vice-president in this country, it would not be a liberal in the Geraldine Ferraro-Hillary Clinton mode; no, it would be a classy, conservative woman in the mode of Margaret Thatcher. Governor Sarah Palin looks to be that woman."

CNSNews.com reports, McCain Reaches Far Afield for His Running Mate-"Comments on the conservative Free Republic web site were more complimentary: “Excellent choice,” said one. “Good pick,” said another. “Pro-life, home-schooling mother of five, life-time NRA member, fiscally conservative. What's not to like !!!!!,” said a third Freeper...David Keene, the chairman of the American Conservative Union, called the selection of Palin “great news for conservatives, for the party and for the country.” Said Keene, “Her dedication to principle, her courage both before and after her election as Governor of Alaska and her personal qualities make her a perfect choice for Vice President. I predict any conservatives who have been lukewarm thus far in their support of the McCain candidacy will work their hearts out between now and November for the McCain-Palin ticket." Conservative Republican Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) called Palin an “exciting choice....She is solidly pro-life, reports say, and is expected to have strong appeal to social conservatives.”

Mitt Romney says, BREAKING NEWS: McCain Announces Strong Pro-Life VP Pick-"at one point was considered a top vice presidential pick, also affirmed McCain's choice Friday, in a statement released to the press."

Ralph Reed a top Republican strategist says, 'Social conservatives are finally putting on their cleats and getting on to the field'-"It was a bold and brilliant, if risky, pick. Palin has executive experience, she is a reformer who like McCain took on her own party on ethics, and she energizes social conservatives, big time. Her pro-life, pro-family, and pro-gun positions will close the intensity gap that has been hurting the GOP during the entire campaign....I don't know if I've ever seen a veep pick energize the grassroots like this. Social conservatives are finally putting on their cleats and getting on to the field. It's really quite remarkable, and something that no one would have guessed would happen even three months ago."

Media Research Center says, Palin brings positives, says media researcher-"And the Democrats, suggests Noyes, will have a hard time trying to attack Palin's experience. "The rap you'll hear from the Obama people -- if they can somehow pull this off with a straight face -- is that she doesn't have enough national experience," he says. "[And] if the media [should] sort of take that line and present without their own smirking about Obama's lack of experience, it will show...what we've sort of known all this year: that the media are sort of in the tank for the Obama ticket." Noyes says the Palin selection has the potential to have a real impact on the fall campaign."

CNSNews.com reports what skeptical Republicans say: McCain Strong With Base, Republicans Say-"In recent years, the Arizona Republican and presidential candidate has bucked his party on issues such as campaign finance reform, illegal immigration, and global warming legislation. Although this was a major issue during the Republican primaries, prominent Republicans told CNSNews.com that the party’s conservative base will not hold that against him going into November....Sen. Orin Hatch (R-Utah), who supported former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the Republican primary, called McCain a “true conservative.” He also praised his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as a running mate. “With Sarah Palin, he hit it out of the park,” Hatch told CNSNews.com...Former California Gov. Pete Wilson, who was a strong voice in the 1990s against illegal immigration, supports McCain even though McCain has supported legislation to create a “pathway to citizenship” for the 12 million illegal aliens already here, a proposal that opponents called “amnesty.”...

Who is Sarah Palin?

http://palinforvp.blogspot.com/ -Blog for Sarah Palin for VP very informational with many other links.

Gov. Palin in 2002: I am 'pro-life as any candidate can be'-"The abortion issue is going to be making headlines again and that's a good thing now for John McCain. Take a look at this article from the Anchorage Daily News. You can read it here. Here's the key part below: In 2002, when she was running for lieutenant governor, Palin sent an e-mail to the anti-abortion Alaska Right to Life Board saying she was as "pro-life as any candidate can be" and has "adamantly supported our cause since I first understood, as a child, the atrocity of abortion."

Sarah Palin is a “Feminist for Life”-"Palin is a member of Feminists for Life of America -- a venerable but little known pro-life group that focuses on the pro-woman reasons for opposing abortion. The organization is considered an expert on understanding how abortion hurts women and the complications abortion involves from a medical, physical, and mental health standpoint."

McCain chooses “Pro-Life Champion” and Alaska Gov, Sarah Palin, as running mate.-"The Dallas Morning News Religion Blog has this post: Religion and Sarah Palin — her history. “Apparently, her denominational affiliation is Assemblies of God, which is Pentecostal (as was John Ashcroft).” And the Religion Clause Blog has this post: A First Look At Sarah Palin’s Religious and Church-State Views. Wired Science has this report: McCain’s VP Wants Creationism Taught in School."-Many more stories...

Sarah Palin Signed "Christian Heritage Week" Proclamation-"Here's a "ca-ching" moment for Evangelicals. John McCain's new vice-presidential running mate signed a proclamation back in October of 2007 which emphasized the Christian heritage of America. You can read the proclamation that she signed below: WHEREAS, the celebration of Christian Heritage Week, October 21-27, 2007, reminds Alaskans of the role Christianity has played in our rich heritage. Many truly great men and women of America, giants in the structuring of American history, were Christians of caliber and integrity who did not hesitate to express their faith. Some of their legacies are evidenced as follows: WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Constitution of the State of Alaska begins with, "We the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land" WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention stated, "It is impossible to build an empire without our Father's aid. I believe the sacred writings which say that, Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it."...ETC ETC ETC

GOP Strategy: Steady as She Goes-"Many conservatives put up a real fight against John McCain in the primary season but some analysts feel his embrace of certain issues won over enough conservatives to secure the nomination. Now what?....And though McCain's been criticized by some moderates for picking the conservative Sarah Palin as his running mate, Bass thinks her reputation as a reformer will override that. "Her being a reformer like McCain, her willingness to work across the aisle with Democrats and Republicans to solve problems are what Americans are really looking for in the next administration," Bass said. Bauer added, "And I think the country is still slightly right of center and will respond to that message." So the advice from here is McCain, steady as she goes.'"

What about her daughter being pregnant before marriage and her husband's DUI 20 years ago and a recent controversy?

McCain Vetter Defends Palin Review-"Sarah Palin voluntarily told John McCain's campaign about her pregnant teenage daughter and her husband's 2-decade-old DUI arrest during questioning as part of the Republican's vice presidential search, the lawyer who conducted the background review said....At several points throughout the process, McCain's team warned Palin that the scrutiny into her private life would be intense and that there was nothing she could do to prepare for it....He said the first thing she volunteered was that her daughter was pregnant, and she also quickly disclosed her husband's DUI arrest."

Palin’s 17-Year-Old Daughter is Pregnant-"OK so now we find out that Sarah Palin’s 17 year old daughter is five months pregnant. I’m sure lots of people will take their shots at the pro-life Christian woman but hold on a moment. If you think Evangelicals are going to ditch her for this, you’re totally misreading the situation. As a matter of fact, they are ready to fire back at any potential critics....Evangelical leader Dr. Richard Land, President of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission “This is the pro-life choice. The fact that people will criticize her for this shows the astounding extent to which the secular critics of the pro-life movement just don’t get it. Those who criticize the Palin family don’t understand that we don’t see babies as a punishment but as a blessing. Barack Obama said that if one of his daughters made a mistake and got pregnant out of wedlock he wouldn’t want her to be punished with a child. Pro lifers don’t see a child as punishment....Look, this development will actually be positive for the most part with Evangelicals. First they hear that Sarah Palin chooses the life option even though she had a Downs Syndrome baby and once again the family (and Bristol) has chosen the life option in this recent case. That’s a double “ca-ching”. Let’s call this the Evangelical daily double. If anything, this whole situation will probably make more people around the country relate to her and her family. It makes them more real. Will there by some turned off by the whole pre-marital sex thing? Of course but this type of story doesn't sink her at all with Evangelicals."

Palin Says Teenage Daughter Pregnant-"Roberta Combs, president of the Christian Coalition of America called the pregnancy private. "It's a matter that should stay in the family and they have to work through it together. My prayers go out to them." Added Combs: "We're excited about the governor and think she's going to do well." Mathew Staver, dean of Liberty University School of Law, said: "We're all sinners." "We all make mistakes. Certainly, the ideal is not to get pregnant out of wedlock. But she made the right decision after her mistake," he said."

Palin praised for handling of daughter's pregnancy-"Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her husband are being praised for supporting their pregnant teenage daughter.
Sarah and Todd Palin announced Monday that their 17-year-old unwed daughter is five months pregnant, but plans to have the child and marry the baby's father. The Palins said the young couple will have the entire family's love and support....Focus on the Family founder James Dobson says the Palins should be commended for living out their "pro-life and pro-family values" even in trying circumstances. He says being a Christian does not mean you or your children are perfect, but that there is "forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord." Dobson's words were echoed by Bishop Harry Jackson. He says the Palins' support for their daughter Bristol and her willingness to have the baby and marry the child's father show the kind of character that's "proven in adverse situations." Although he is a registered Democrat, Jackson is closer to the Republican Party in opposing abortion, and has co-authored the book Personal Faith, Public Policy with the Family Research Council's Tony Perkins. Bishop Jackson says Americans do not expect leaders' families to be perfect, but can learn candidates' true character from how they handle difficult circumstances."

Tony Perkins Reacts to Palin Daughter's News-"This just in: Family Research Council's Tony Perkins just sent me this reaction to the new about Sarah Palin's teenage daughter being pregnant. I think you'll see by this reaction that prolife groups are quickly coming to the support of the Palin family. Read the quote from Tony Perkins below. "Unfortunately, teenage pregnancy has become all too common in today*s society regardless of a family*s economic or social status. It is problem that we remain committed to reducing through encouraging young people to practice abstinence. Fortunately, Bristol is following her mother and father*s example of choosing life in the midst of a difficult situation. We are committed to praying for Bristol and her husband to be and the entire Palin family and they walk through a very private matter in the eyes of the public."

Punished with a baby-"I now know what Barack Obama was thinking when he said he wouldn't want his daughters "punished with a baby" if they "ma[d]e a mistake" and had premarital sex. How sad that he surely had his own tribe, liberals, in mind, who sure know how to mete punishment with vicious aplomb in such case. Thanks to a soap opera script on Daily Kos that Sarah Palin faked her pregnancy with now four-month-old son Trig to cover for his real mother, her 17-year-old daughter Bristol, the Palin family was forced to announce today that unmarried Bristol is five months pregnant. The announcement was wonderful, in sharp contrast to Obama's thought of his own grandchild who might be conceived in a similar situation..."-Jill Stanek.

Troopergate Could Dog Palin on Trail-"The little-known vice presidential candidate faces accusations of firing public safety commissioner Walt Monegan in what amounts to a messy Palin family drama dating to her pre-gubernatorial days. Monegan had refused to fire a state trooper who had gone through a messy divorce from Palin's sister. The accuser is blogger and rental car executive Andrew Halcro, a Republican-turned-Independent who lost to Palin in the 2006 governor's race. The accused is Palin, the rising Republican star with a clean-hands reputation who has the most to lose...Palin steadfastly denies the allegations, and with her signature resolve, said she welcomes the investigation. "Hold me accountable," she challenged her critics."