With the elections swiftly approaching, many Americans are registering, legally or illegally, and tuning into television events such as conventions and speeches. Subjectively, as I am among those unable to vote this election due to my age, I have not spent many nights in front of my television listening to today’s politicians because of that fact. Although I should at least know a little about my country’s possible presidents and vice presidents I honestly lack knowledge. I will attempt to take this chance at approaching Palin’s Republican Convention speech with no political baggage.



Before forcing myself to listen to Palin’s speech last week, I came across her name in the paper one morning. Many questions that came to most minds hit me. Who is Sarah Palin? Why would McCain choose someone from Alaska? Why would any politician choose someone arbitrarily? All Americans are familiar with Bush, McCain, and even most with Thompson and Huckabee. Sarah Palin is the “hockey mom” from Alaska who spent most of her career working locally for the city council, as mayor, and for less than two years. As a little known figure and not much time before the elections, Sarah Palin has a lot of ground to cover. Her first speech at the Republican National Convention had to rally support in order for McCain’s choice to have been a success.

As soon as Palin took the platform, she verbalized how grateful she was for receiving the nomination for vice president under McCain. Sarah Palin began by introducing her family to the crowd and America. With a family of five and a husband, she spent time introducing them all, claiming that her family resembles the average family throughout America. Her daughter’s pregnancy is never directly addressed, which has seen scrutiny from the public. She spent extra time explaining that her fifth child, a son of hers born in April, has special needs. She pledged that if she and McCain take office in January that all special needs families would have supportive friends in Washington.

Throughout her speech Palin explained why she respects McCain and not her “opponent.” Sarah Palin, with family members serving the country, accused her opponent of not being patriotic, while McCain served for the United States for 22 years. Palin defends her experience in Alaska, since many have claimed that she lacks enough experience in order to be vice president. McCain allegedly has “sheer guts” and caliber. Other than supporting McCain and explaining that the success she had as governor in Alaska would transfer over to Washington, Sarah Palin spent a great deal of time focusing on the energy crisis claiming that America needs to become self-reliant and even possibly drill in Alaska and build nuclear plants.

This speech being her first national appearance, was the chance for Sarah Palin to introduce herself to the rest of the country, since no one really knew about her outside of Alaska. In her speech, she never referred to Obama directly, as if he does not even deserve the attention. She alludes to him often though, using juxtaposition in comparing the two presidential candidates differences. Palin agreed that Obama is a terrific orator, but that he does not have a plan.

Her allusions to Obama were blatant and negative, yet tactful. Humorous statements such as “when the cloud of rhetoric has passed, when the roar of the crowd fades away, when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to the studio lot, what exactly is our opponent’s plan?” left the convention room and living rooms across America filled with palpable mockery. Chiasmus and repetition are devices used throughout her speeches to accentuate certain man ideas.

Paramount though, was her attempt at small town charm. Her claims of relating to the average American boost her appeal for support. Her colloquial unsophisticated diction and language make her claims as a supporter of the people more believable. Her conversational tone aims to make the general audience feel that she could be a friend, neighbor, coworker, or family member.

Her speech overall caused more turnout at McCain’s speeches and events. Those extra supporters are not shy in admitting that they are there to see her.