I just got home from the GOP Fest fundraiser here in Polk County.  I was a bit disappointed.

Don’t get me wrong.  I thought the speakers were great, the food was good.  The governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty, gave an encouraging stump speech for McCain and Palin.

It’s just that the event was so lightly attended.

I walked in expecting to see a couple of hundred people or more.  I don’t think we broke seventy-five.  And probably half or more of the attendees were either candidates, current office holders, or party workers.  Both my wife and a co-worker of mine were there, which I appreciated.

On the positive side, I got to spend a few minutes with former Polk County GOP Chairman Ted …

Sarah Palin had her first big interview (6 parts) this week since being selected as John McCain’s running mate.  Paul F. Villareal made the video’s available at YouTube.

Of course, ABC played it for as much air time as they could… including repeating sections of the interview on 20/20 last night.

Let’s see, Thursday “World News”, Thursday “Nightline”, Friday “World News”, Friday “20/20″, Friday “Nightline”.  I’m assuming the advertising dollars were substantial.  If the new season of “Lost” had started by now, they might have included bits of the interview there as well.  I suppose they still can.

I’ve watched all of them, and my impression is:

1. Sarah showed she can handle herself just fine.
2. Palin is ready to take and articulate her positions and

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