While I'm feeling positive and optimistic by the turn of events, there's a bit of unease in the back of my mind. I do attribute the polls in large part to the Palin effect, and that's a good thing, and I sincerely hope that the wave pushes all the way to November. But knowing what I do of human nature and history, I'm feeling a little more cautious than optimistic. As conservatives, we put our trust in ideas and values, not people. The libs put their faith in people and personality, and that's exactly what they've done with Obama. When the person fails, so do their hopes and dreams. I don't want our side falling into the same trap. 

Our side should stay focused on why McCain and Palin are excellent agents for implementing conservative concepts and principles. I'm just worried that people were so wowed by Palin after one speech that we're setting ourselves up for disappointment, because, let's face it, there's still a lot that is not known. She's going to start making the media rounds this week and we now know that Dem operatives have landed in Alaska and are swarming every inch of her life, past and present. I hope she's exactly who we think she is, but we're not about "hope." That's liberal territory. It took two decades for Ronald Reagan to cement his legacy after his famous 1964 address to the convention. It's been less than a week since Palin made hers. We should be trumpeting the ideas and goals and world-view that she and McCain are espousing, rather than getting caught up in personality. Let the Dems focus on the tabloidization and personal stories of this campaign; our side should be focused on doing what's right, and little else. We have to know what we don't know about Palin, and let things unfold rather than projecting a lot of hopes and desires onto this person that we still have limited knowledge of.