A constant buzz was heard throughout the country Wednesday, regarding the night’s keynote speech to be given by presumptive GOP Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.  That buzz was the millions of people wondering out loud how the current Governor of Alaska would perform, in the most important speech of her young political life.

Well, after her speech, NBC News anchorman Brian Williams said, “It’s game on”. He’s right, because Palin hit a figurative grand slam Wednesday night that rocked the GOP convention hall in St. Paul , Minnesota .  And, the Democrats are in for a tough and close game to decide which political party will be occupying the White House in January.

Conventional wisdom (pardon the pun) had Palin being rather cautious with her speech.   Many predicted that she would play it safe and leave the direct attacks on Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama to his Republican counterpart, John McCain.   However, Palin was not a shrinking violet.   Instead, she was much more like the “Sarah Barracuda” nickname that she obtained in her high school days, when she was part of a state championship basketball team in Alaska .  

After receiving a standing ovation for several minutes from the GOP delegates, and after starting her speech acknowledging her family, Palin trained her oratorical rifle right at Obama.   When mentioned that she was criticized for her relative lack of political experience, Palin said that her stint as a small-town mayor in Wasilla, Alaska was like Obama’s early role as a community organizer—“except you have actual responsibilities” as a mayor.   In another portion of her speech, Palin said of Obama, “…there is much to like and admire about our opponent.   But, listening to him speak, it’s easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single law or reform, not even in the state senate.”

Palin had a couple of other zingers that she fired at Obama, and a couple that were fired at the media for its exhausting attempts to find blemishes on her resume.   Then, she used the rest of her time at the podium promoting the character, toughness, and experience of McCain…before ending her speech to thunderous applause from delegates.

Palin still has to answer more questions in the coming weeks, regarding her mastery of key issues and some of the allegations against her.   But, she showed tonight that she is ready to play and win the game of presidential campaigning.   Palin came off the Republican bench and scored a much-needed touchdown for her new teammates.   Now, we’ll see what Obama, Biden, and their fellow Democrats do with the ensuing kickoff after the Republican National Convention ends Thursday night.