Day three

The Convention was absolutely electrified tonight by the speeches of Rudy Guilliani and Gov. Sarah Palin. There was some apprehension on how Palin would do, especially given criticism by some in the national media about her background and experience. But the great consensus was that she was poised and confident and laid out a strong case for Sen. McCain and herself.

These national conventions are well-choreographed events meant to express important messages to the nation's voters. But they are also meant to heal wounds within the political parties that follow bruising primary battles and bring the parties together for the November election. If the comments from the Pa. Delegation are any indication of the broad GOP consensus, then the GOP's unity is growing and its energy intensifying. What kind of "bump" the McCain-Palin ticket gets from this Convention is still unknown, but a political party must unite and be energized to win, and the GOP is taking a big step toward unity and energy this week.