Hotline After Dark -- Power Hitter

Sarah Palin's much-anticipated speech was the talk of the TV last night.

PBS' Ifill: "I don't think I can overstate all the pent-up excitement there was in this room waiting for Sarah Palin. And it exploded all over the place tonight. She belittled -- and so did other speakers -- Barack Obama at every opportunity, mocking the size of his state, his community organizer status. And every time, there was an explosion in this room. ... And she delivered her speech word for word. They couldn't have been happier with her here tonight. It's going to be something to see how John McCain tops it tomorrow" ("NewsHour," 9/3).

NPR's Williams: "It sounds like she can throw a punch to me. I was surprised at how much power she has as a newcomer on the stage, to go after Barack Obama as effectively as she did. ... She was really like a knife fighter. She was expert in cutting and slicing, parrying and thrusting, against Obama and used humor" ("On the Record," FNC, 9/3).

CNN's Brown: "On the one hand, she was so tough, on the other hand, so maternal. I think that's why it works. Is because of that. She didn't run away from those family issues. It made her extremely relatable. She ran to her baby and held her baby on the stage. It made her extremely relatable" ("Election Center," CNN, 9/4).

After the jump, the McCains make the TV rounds.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Presidential historian Michael Beschloss: "The speech was fine, well-delivered, loved in the hall. But this is a woman that Americans know extremely little about, especially for a national nominee. And this speech didn't tell us really very much beyond what we knew already, and that's going to make it even more important in the future when she gives speeches that are more impromptu and when she submits to interrogations by reporters and average American citizens" ("NewsHour," PBS, 9/3).

Obama comm. dir. Robert Gibbs: "She's a very poised individual, and I think she gives a very good speech. But what really struck me about this speech, and quite frankly a lot of the other speeches tonight, was it was the same sort of nasty, divisive politics that unfortunately the American people have seen out of Washington for far too long. It's what stands in the way along with lobbyists and special interests from getting things done for the American people. I think people want a change from that. I think they want something different" ("LKL," CNN, 9/3).

Laura Ingraham: "I think the bar was set really high. And boy, she should have been a high hurdler in addition to a basketball player because she cleared that hurdle, and I think it's one of the best political speeches I have heard ever, I mean ever in my lifetime. And the reaction in this crowd -- I think the reaction across the country is going to be quite something" ("On the Record," FNC, 9/3).

See today's Hotline for the latest reviews.

READY, SET, VET

ABC's Gibson sat down with McCain 9/3 for his only interview at the GOP convo.

McCain, on what he will say in his speech: "I think we've got to make a case that I'm ready, that I put my country first, and it's time to put aside partisan rancor and differences and work together for the country and that I can create jobs and restore our economy and keep our country safe."

Gibson: "Barack Obama was very direct in his acceptance speech of his criticisms of you. Would you do likewise?"

McCain: "I think we will point out some of the differences, but I think the important thing right now is to tell Americans why I can restore our economy, get them affordable and available health care, a decent education, get these jobs back and get our economy going again, as well as keeping our nation secure."

McCain, asked if Palin has the qualities and has enough experience to be commander in chief: "Oh, absolutely. Having been the governor of our largest state, the commander of their National Guard, she was once in charge of their natural resources assets, actually, until she found out there was corruption and she quit and said it had to be fixed. Of course, it helps to be a mayor. When I think people compare her experience, in fact, and accomplishments, I think ethics in lobbying reform in a state that was beset by the influence of special interests, cutting taxes, giving the citizens back money. I mean, she's got an incredible resume, including a beautiful family and a wonderful, loving, caring family. So I will think that, over time, people will compare her accomplishments with that of Senator Obama, and his are very meager."

Gibson: "But he's been vetted. Nineteen months he's been debating ... in front of this country, 18 million times, the primaries people voted for him. With her, we have your say-so."

McCain: "Well, the people of Alaska have vetted her. That's why she has an 80 percent approval rating. The American people are going to vet her in the next couple of months, as we know, starting tonight. She has a proven record. And, again, I don't like to make these comparisons. She's had positions of responsibility and authority. In all due respect to my friend, Joe Biden, he's never been executive of anything nor..."

Gibson: "Neither have you. "

McCain: "... has Senator Obama. Oh, I've commanded the largest squadron in the United States Navy, with huge responsibilities. ... It was a leadership job, but it was also a huge responsibility. So millions and millions of dollars of American assets and 1,000 men and women who were serving, I think that's enormous responsibility and I'm very proud of it" ("World News," 9/3).

And PBS' Woodruff caught up with Cindy McCain on 9/3 a.m. The interview aired last night on "NewsHour."

C. McCain, asked what she heard about J. McCain on 9/2 that most rang true: "There were several different things. What President Bush said was absolutely right: He's ready to lead. And when he said, you know, the North Vietnamese couldn't break him, and certainly the liberal left won't, and he's exactly right. ... I heard all the things that I knew about him, and it was just nice to hear other people say it and believe in him the way I do."

C. McCain, asked what she wants to accomplish with her speech: "Well, I am introducing my family and introducing myself to the United States of America. I keep hearing people don't know me. And what I'd want people to hear from me is really what makes me tick and why I do the things I do, and what I believe in, and what I could possibly do as first lady, if I were so lucky to do so."

C. McCain, on Michelle Obama's convo speech: "I thought she did a marvelous job. I was very proud of her. Having being placed in that position myself now, I know it's a little nerve-racking" (PBS, 9/3).

C. McCain also spoke with CBS' Couric.

Couric: "The scuttlebutt, if you will, behind the scenes is that Senator McCain really wanted Joe Lieberman to be his running mate, but social conservatives would find him unacceptable because of his position on abortion."

C. McCain: "My husband and Joe are very good friends. And wouldn't it be nice to work with your best friend? Of course. But we had to consider other things, as well, and reform being, as you know, my husband's most important issue; and my husband felt that Governor Palin was a better fit for that."

Couric: "Some even Republicans seem surprised that Senator McCain picked a running mate who opposes abortion, even in the cases of rape and incest and believes creationism should be taught in schools. And I'm just curious, do you agree with that?"

C. McCain: "What I agree with is the fact that she is a social conservative, she is a reform-minded woman, she is someone that will shake Washington up, which is exactly what we want to do. We differ on many issues. We differ across the board with people. We don't have to agree on every issue."

C. McCain, on where she stands on abortion: "I'm pro-life. I'm on the record as being pro-life, like my husband."

Couric: "So do you oppose it even in the cases of rape and incest?'

C. McCain: "No."

C. McCain, asked if Roe v. Wade should be overturned: "No. ... I believe it's a states issue" ("Evening News," 9/3).