McCain's speech very strong

Perhaps John McCain didn't hit the home run his running mate Sarah Palin did last night, but his speech was strong, positive and showed him to be very statesman-like, looking and sound like a President. He is not, and never will be Mr. Charisma and Charm, but came across warmly and professionally.

His minor jabs at Obama left a good impression, and his specifics about the economy, Republican failings in recent years, Iraq, energy policy, opportunity and the future set a good tone.

The CBS poll shows he and Obama tied going into the speech tonight, which is much stronger than anyone expected at this point. He and Palin look well positioned at the start of the campaign, and with Arnold Schwartzenegger's man Steve Schmidt leading the way, there is reason for hope. The Democrats will continue to control Congress, but the GOP team may well eek out a respectable victory. McCain's base in the Republican Party and with the Christian Right is very strong and energized, as it hasn't been since Reagan.

This is a seminal, change election, with no incumbent on either ticket for the first time in decades, and we will wind up with either a Black president or female vice president for the first time ever.

It is going to be an exciting fall.