You could see the teleprompter during Palin's speech. She seemed to be unused to working with one. So, no, she wasn't winging it. She was slowed down by it--and it showed in the second half of her speech where her tempo was disjointed--probably the part of the speech with which she was less familiar.

As for your potshot at Obama--sorry, no cigar--the guy's got the speaking thing down and it's pretty clear he makes sure his speeches are well adapted for his way of speaking.

Obama's there because he excites people who work for him. That's one motivated crew. And while he's young for a politician, he's not unformed--it's clear that he's keeping a tight rein on things. This isn't Shrub--he's not a convenient creation of the Democratic party.

And I know it's hard for you, in particular, to understand. But people hate the war in Iraq. This view is alien to yours--but it's very strong, particularly among younger voters. Accept that it's there and is the litmus test for a lot of voters.

OP, half way through Palin's speech the teleprompter was way ahead of her speech because it never paused during the applause and cheers..so, yes, she did a great job speaking to millions and millions for the first time in the face of not being able to read a teleprompter.

As for Obama..sorry, his attempts to project "thoughtfulness" as he stutters his way without a teleprompter simply shows he hasn't finished resolving many issues in his mind...or perhaps that he doesn't want to tell us what he has resolved.

Giuliani also had trouble with the teleprompter and improvised, one his great spontaneous quips was as follows

Giuliani complained that "for four days in Denver, the Democrats were afraid to use the words 'Islamic terrorism.' " The hall filled with boos, as he continued, departing from his prepared remarks:

I imagine they believe it is politically incorrect to say it.

I think they believe it will insult someone.

Please tell me, who are they insulting if they say "Islamic terrorism"?

They are insulting terrorists.!!!!

Followed by roars of laughter and cheers.

He was on top form

So, Sharon/Meg/Pam/jane/Samuel--is all terrorism islamic in nature?
Anything that the man who has shamelessly exploited 9/11 for person profit while ignoring his part in the death of numerous NYC firefighters has nothing to say that i would want to her. To say nothing about his moral failures as a human being--shocking that the party that makes a point about "family values" would invite a person like Rudy to the convention is another example of hypocrisy of the right.

"And I know it's hard for you, in particular, to understand. But people hate the war in Iraq. This view is alien to yours--but it's very strong, particularly among younger voters. Accept that it's there and is the litmus test for a lot of voters."

OhlonePar,

That is rational response, one that I can agree that is accurate. It is also accurate that many America Firsters wanted nothing to do with fighting Hitler. So be it.

Some leaders want to project freedom, and some want to hide from it. FDR and Truman and Reagan and GWB are in the former camp and Obama is in the latter, along with McGvoern and Chamberlain. . Palin and McCain are in the former camp.

Go ahead and hate the liberation of Iraq, OP. That would be your problem.

I was young once, and I have little patience with it, anymore, having made so many bad choices when I was so enlightened.