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- John McCain's acceptance speech last night drew 500,000 more viewers than Barack Obama's, 38.9 to 38.4 million, although pundit reactions -- right and left -- to the speech could probably be best described in the aggregate as "competent." In addition, as Daniel notes below, the source of the hideous green lawn behind McCain's head during one portion was Walter Reed Middle School, featured in such film classics as License to Drive. Greg Sargent of TPM, who originally scooped this, also observes that the same school was featured in a backdrop for fictional West Wing Democratic candidate Matt Santos. I think we're several steps beyond mere art imitating life.
- Think Progress has a word analysis of every speech given at the Republican National Convention, confirming the impression that the event was strong on partisan red meat, and light on policy, and apparently oblivious to the fact that it was put on by the party in power for the past eight years. George Bush, to cite one conspicuous example, was mentioned just once, by Mitt Romney on Wednesday night.
- The McCain campaign is making sure Sarah Palin is kept out of the media spotlight until she's "ready" and "comfortable." Clearly this is to prevent any Quayle-esque gaffes on Palin's part, which is understandable given her thin record of clear policy positions, but look at one of the "experts" who are coaching her, according to the Washington Post: Joe Lieberman. Actually, having Holy Joe coach Palin for her debate with Joe Biden is probably the next best thing to a debate between Biden and Lieberman himself.
- Speaking of debates, Nate Silver makes an excellent point regarding the timing of the conventions and the debates. "It is possible that the Republicans' one big win [uniting their base] will outweigh the Democrats' two [uniting their base and hammering home "it's the economy, stupid"]. But they've essentially chosen to concede the domestic policy argument -- which is exceptionally dangerous because the last major event of the campaign is the October 15 debate at Hofstra University, a debate which is focused entirely on domestic policy."
- Political science to the rescue! Andrew Gelman observes that it is hardly uncommon for governors of small states to be more popular than those in large states.
- The DNC's first general election ad, slated to run in Michigan, will be a nearly half-million dollar buy. The ad, a refrain on McCain as "more of the same," can be viewed here.
- The Obama campaign is dispatching Hillary Clinton, Janet Napolitano and Kathleen Sebelius to Florida Monday as a surrogates, the NY Times reports, although the campaign denies this is strictly to counter the GOP's sudden interest in gender equality.
- I'm going to refrain from referencing any more polls until Monday, when the convention/VP mania dust has settled, but it's worth noting that the Palin pick might actually have helped embattled incumbent senator Ted Stevens in Alaska, as he has closed a 17-point gap between him and Democratic challenger Mark Begich to just three points, according to the Anchorage Press.
- Third party watch: Ron Paul is making "a major announcement next week in Washington at the National Press Club" according to Reason's Dave Weigel.
- Finally, I'm not sure what is more disturbing: that the RNC used fake soldiers in one of their ads or that 2,500 ballots have gone missing in Palm Beach, Florida.
--Mori Dinauer
