last thought on palin's speech

Nate Silver warns that whilst it was a hit with the Republicans, the speech may not have helped with the voters McCain needs to reach:

I think some of you are underestimating the percentage of voters for whom Sarah Palin lacks the standing to make this critique of Barack Obama. To many voters, she is either entirely unknown, or is known as an US Weekly caricature of a woman who eats mooseburgers and has a pregnant daughter. To change someone's opinion, you have to do one of two things. Either, you have to be a trusted voice of authority, or you have to persuade them. Palin is not a trusted voice of authority -- she's much too new. But neither was this a persuasive speech. It was staccato, insistent, a little corny. It preached to the proverbial choir.

I think he's probably right - although getting the base fired up is a very valuable thing for McCain at this stage.

Comments

[richard]

I agree. Even Bill O'Reilly, in his preview of the Palin speech on Fox News, was saying that it would be a mistake for her to criticize Obama because, coming from her, it would lack credibility.

Ian, are you aware that C-Span is running on BBC Parliament at the moment? You can watch the convention if you've got digital telly.

Riccardo.