First let me say wow.  If we thought picking Sarah Palin as VP was a shakeup, Cindy McCain’s idea to bring an actual black person from Africa to the convention was groundbreaking albeit sort of an about face on the whole party of Lincoln thing.  Still, I believe she was there of her own free will and it was great to see all the delegates standing to applaud the black woman.

9:11 More black people in the video–Nice!

9:12 Awesome job getting the POW thing in.  I was worried they’d skip it.  It’d be nice if he mentions it in his speech, but I know he’s reluctant to do that.  Wow, Thompson is almost Charlton Heston like with that booming oration and then the place goes totally dark–Poof McCain appears.  Very regal!

9:14 Crowd seemed louder for Palin, but this isn’t bad.  At this late an hour I expect a lot of the delegates would be in bed if they were home.

9:16 Odd–I think they just showed one of the McCain homes on the big screen behind him.  Hmm, how did the McCain Votes Against Vets sign get in there.

9:17 I think the crowd just applauded the 9/11 attacks.

9:19 John is talking to Cindy.  I really like that McCain thanked the candidates he defeated in the primary and I wish by the same token, Cindy would have thanked Carol McCain

9:24 It has to be tough to read the teleprompter with protesters and the delegates chanting USA.  I do like the blue screen behind McCain.

9:26 Where are the Palin kids and the baby daddy?  McCain’s kids are too old to be cute.  We need the cuteness appeal though it was awesome that the McCain’s let Bridget get online tonight.

9:27 I really hope McCain meant he wants to show Palin around Washington and not that he wants to introduce her to General Washington.  Sometimes it is hard to tell.

9:29 Another black person in the crowd.

9:31 Awesome–he got the surge in.

9:34 That’s why the base can’t stand McCain.  He just praised somebody with an autistic son.  Didn’t Michael Savage just establish that autism was just bad parenting.

9:36  Interesting–He argues that the Republicans screwed up so now we need to fix it by electing more Republicans.  You never admit to screwing up.  I guess that’s why he’s a maverick.

9:37 Nice attack on the Supreme Court liberals.  Whichever ones are left.

9:39 The McCain health care plan is a winner.  I don’t even know how somebody could spend the $5,000 you get on medical in a year.

9:40 A man with a beard, appeared to be Hispanic.

9:42 After watching it for the last 30 minutes I have to say seeing McCain against a blue screen with nothing on it is majestic.

9:43 “Equal access to public education has been gained” I hope Reverend Meeks in Chicago heard that.

9:45 Sarah likes the drilling!

9:48 Now thar we’re leaving Iraq, Russia and Iran we’re coming for you!!

9:48 Yet another black person.  She was napping though.  Never mind, same woman I saw before.

9:49 Bea Arthur spotted in crowd with McCain sign

9:50 Ah, McCain’s memories of WWII, but he still hasn’t mentioned…Oh never mind.  He just did.

9:53 He really shouldn’t smile

9:54 Potential minority…Actually looks like an Italian woman on the closeup.  Cute though.

9:55 Here’s the big POW part–good idea saving it for the big finish.

9:56  Wow they’re cold.  They laughed at him getting shot down and captured by the Vietnamese.

9:57  It’d be nice if some of the people imprisoned with McCain were here for a reunion.  It’d be a nice touch.

9:59  He was a POW with Bob Crane?  Wasn’t that Colonel Hogan?

10:01 Asian of some type

10:02 Big sign that says “The Mavrick”.  As a James Garner fan I think its spelled maverick.  Somebody should have corrected him by now

10:04 Happy black person in crowd.  Definitely a night of inclusion