MORNING READ

by Walter Alarkon - 08/29/08 9:17 AM ET

Barack Obama’s speech was what liberal bloggers have long been waiting for. But the speech promised too much and belied Obama’s short, partisan record, according to conservative bloggers. No one yet knows John McCain’s veep pick, but Friday’s early word online is that he could go with a surprise out of Alaska.

Obama’s speech was “aggressive,” “unabashedly populist,” and came from the “Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party,” writes kos, while Andrew Sullivan found it to be “deeply substantive” and enough to make the case for liberalism. During the Democratic convention, both Obama and former President Bill Clinton did what Democrats should have done long ago, which is explain how the governing failure of the past eight years is due to Republican philosophy, writes MyDD’s Josh Orton.

Obama’s speech, though effective, was dishonest when the Illinois senator spoke of bipartisanship because he failed to mention his short, partisan record, writes The Corner’s Ramesh Ponnuru. The many promises that Obama made, such as healthcare, college and pre-school for all, aren’t steeped in reality, writes Michael Medved at Townhall.com. The speech had a lot of liberal boilerplate and may do little for those who weren’t already sold on Obama, writes Ross Douthat.

The presumed top two contenders to become McCain’s running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), are reportedly out of the veepstakes and the focus is now turning to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R). Palin would shake things up, undermine Obama’s convention bounce and appeal to backers of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), according to Townhall’s Matt Lewis. Palin, a first-term governor, would face questions over her readiness to become commander-in-chief, notes The Corner’s Kathryn Jean Lopez. But a lot of that experience talk is “overblown” when it comes to foreign affairs, writes The Corner’s Andy McCarthy, who wants someone who has a suspicion of Washington and international entanglements.

FROM THE BLOGS:
Obama’s Speech – kos, Daily Kos
Not ‘Yes We Can,’ But ‘We Have To’ – mcjoan, Daily Kos
The Broader Argument – Josh Orton, MyDD
Very Strong Speech and Convention – Josh Marshall, TPM
The Hope We Confess – Andrew Sullivan, Daily Dish
An Effective, Dishonest Speech – Ramesh Ponnuru, The Corner
If I Were a Dem, I’d Be Delirious – J. Nordlinger, The Corner
Not. Credible. – Hugh Hewitt, Townhall.com
Obama Challenges Grown-Up Reality – M. Medved, Townhall
Obama’s Night a Letdown – Ross Douthat
Palin Experienced? – Kathryn Jean Lopez, The Corner
Not Pawlenty, Not Romney – Matt Lewis, Townhall.com
Looks Like I Was Wrong – Erick Erickson, RedState