by John Gaudio

After Sarah Palin's speech today in Golden Colorado, Dan Caplis told me:

"...I was at the Obama event at DU in February, and the Obama event at Invesco, this fervor, this commitment goes way beyond that.  She's the real deal...  As she interacts with people you can see she is exactly what you think she is, and that's what America needs....  there's an authenticity, a genuineness that really comes through there .... as you watch her work with the kids who want her autographs, or the people on the rope line....    One great thing the Governor's done is she's let people appreciate the greatness of John McCain because a lot of folks now are opening their eyes to him....  John McCain's a great man.  He's gutsy and she's proof of that."

When I asked what we can do to help others see what we see, Dan Caplis said "The key right now is one on one, truly whether it's over that back fence at home, or cubicle to cubicle in the office.... with friends with relatives in the state or any other swing state, I think it's just one on one and that's where this thing will be won in the end....  That little extra convincing, one on one, is everything."

Governor Bill Owens introduced Sarah Palin, pointing out that both she and Senator John McCain understand western needs and values, because they share them.

Below are some of my favorite quotes from Governor Sarah Palin's speech.

"I'm Glad to see that, in this case, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury have said "No" to using tax payer money to bail out another one, in this case Lehman Brothers."

"Our regulatory system is outdated and needs a complete overhaul."

"John McCain and I, we're going to put an end to the mismanagement and abuses in Washington and on Wall Street that have resulted in this financial crisis."

"This is all about reform and putting the government back on the side of the people, putting it back on the side of the good people of Colorado."

She introduced her husband, as Alaska's "First Dude." and promised that "With your vote we're going to Washington to shake things up."

"Today our state has a surplus, and I'm returning a chunk of that surplus money back to the people of Alaska, because they can spend it better than government can spend it for them."

"Every small business will have a friend in the White House."

"I always knew that I was accountable to the people of Alaska....  Government isn't always the answer, in fact too often, government is the problem."

"There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you.  John McCain is an amazing individual....  He's made some sacrifices for this country.  He's serving for the right reasons today, and he wants to serve you as president for the right reasons."

I strive to be accurate and honest.  I do not pretend to be unbiased, for in this race I see the potential for great good, or great harm.  The choices are clear, and so I encourage every one of you to reach out to your neighbors and friends, speak out about these important issues, and let your views be known through polite, constructive, and civil discourse.  Share your thoughts with me, if you will, by clicking the comment button below.

For me, the bottom line is this.  

John McCain and Sarah Palin offer a government that will protect us from our enemies, then get out of our way, to let us, the people of America, control our own money, and our own lives.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden offer a government that will cut back on our defense, then collect more of our money to impose government controlled health care on us all, provide a college education for all, expand government to meet all the needs of every citizen, and in so doing, take away our precious freedom to make our own decisions.