I was not comparing Ann Richards and Sarah Palin in terms of policy, governing, experience or integrity. I was merely saying that the latter's delivery of a speech was much like the former's. If anyone thinks Richards' speeches weren't laced with sarcasm, then we watched a different woman over the last twenty-odd years.

Again, I'm no fan of Palin, or God forbid, the Repulican party. But to characterize her speech as "snarling" (as Ms. Walsh did) I think is a case of huge disconnect. As far as I can tell the woman went after Obama on his record (even if twisted as is usually the case) and a few regrettable statements he made. It's politics, and we'll see how she holds up the next couple of months. All I was saying is that as a Dem I thought she was pretty effective and I really didn't find anything she said that insulting as politics go.

dont fall into the maureen dowd trap and lose cred by the time this ridiculous, non-serious freakshow of an election is over and the crowds go home.

You must be standing too close to the Banbury; those tire fumes must do something to your rational thinking processes.

Ann Richards was one of the most adept Democrat at the podium from the onset of her career. She wrote her own speeches and delivered them often without so much as a glance at the text or teleprompter.

My favorite was her keynote address at the '88 DNC; she made her mark on history that night and so did the voters of Texas two years later, electing her as governor. This was a woman filled with wit, charm and a devilish sense of when to be outrageous. To compare her to what the Rethugliand dredged out of a casting call for NORTHERN EXPOSURE insults the name, reputation and memory of Gov. Richards.

Be still. Palin's reading of McCain's writing team was a screed: derisive, offensive, filled with innuendo and code for the most vile and putrid. Interleved with lies, hyperbole, and errors of omission, it made the Geritol Generation assembled in Minneapolis/St Paul apoplectic. But then again, what else did anyone really expect from this crew, this ship of fools, this avatistic and anachonistic bunch led by a man past his prime. John McCain is and was a wonderful Senator for Arizona and Mrs. Palin, well let's leave it with the first words of self description after she was named as the VP candidate: hockey mom.

Paraphrasing another noteworthy VP, Lloyd Benson: We knew Ann Richards. Sarah Palin is no Ann Richards.

Completely and totally. She did not embellish, or exaggerate, or use hyperbole, as all other politicians would do. She lied. The media cannot seriously let her get away with getting up on stage, looking straight into the camera, and telling outrageous lies to the American public like that.

So say it over and over again, as many times as you can to as many people as you can. Sarah Palin is a liar.

As much as I'm depressed and angered by the 'cute pitbull who is nonetheless too delicate to withstand the questioning of a fawning Wolf Blitzer,' there may be a silver lining. While people are reacting to the 'she's just like me!' syndrome - and she's not a bit like me, btw - it may be that the emotional divide that grew between Hillary & Obama supporters has found its own bridge (one that actually leads somewhere.) The Clintons did their part at the Dem Convention. But something about this, "Thanks, Hillary for your leadership - now shove off while the old guy and I take the country down the opposite track," does not appeal to me. In fact, it infuriates me.

Jon Stewart tonight brought up the topic of abortion, and his own daughter, and his emotion on the subject was very powerful. A lot of us, both Obama & Hillary supporters, must feel the same way. When I heard the video of Palin speaking about Hillary's whining... ARGH. Let me just say, I'd proudly support Hillary, (or Olympia Snowe for that matter!) over Palin. I'd support the "Former, Supposedly Moderate Mccain," had he not voted with Bush - oh pretty much, all the time. But for someone to shove the pro-life worldview, implying Liberal women NEVER choose to keep their 'special needs children,' that may just be the kind of attitude that really solidifies far more than Obama's base, but a greater multitude of Independents & those who really were once Moderate Republicans.

I long admired Ann Richards greatly. IMHO, I don't think she would go for Palin. I can't even picture her (with her amazing wit and intelligence in her speeches/statements) opting for Palin. I miss Ann's astute and always straightforward assessments of whatever was going on. I just don't put her and Palin in the same league. And again, I think she'd have a thing ot two to say about McCain and his choice and his judgment.

You are talking about the voter registering part, right?

It has been difficult to find ways to spread the truth about Palin without appearing to attack her as a woman (or worse, appearing to attack her son Trig).

But wasn't his '92 speech in German -- or at least originally. I couldn't tell if that audience was dressed in brown shirts and shiny boots, the film was so grainy.

You're doing great work and I commend you.

You pretty much hit the nail on the head. This is the younger, Republican version of Ann Richards. As much as I usually find Ms. Walsh's columns as very reasoned, I think she and others like her make a big mistake in dismissing this woman's speech as "insulting" and "sarcastic". (I heard the same beeswax from Rachel Maddow on MSNBC.)

As a life-long Dem who was devastated by the result of '04, my ballot has been long-since punched. That said, out and out dismissing the effectiveness of this woman's speech is childish. If as a Dem, you hated Ann Richards, then fine, I'll believe you. Otherwise, this was just a younger version of her from the opposite side of the aisle with a different accent.