There is another purpose to this post which I will address in short order. First though, while Drudge and other outlets are showing recorded viewership of Governor Palin’s speech last evening to be in the ball park of 37.2 million, the AP has produced a report which shows these numbers to be even higher.

More than 40 million people tuned in to the Republican convention Wednesday to hear vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin introduce herself to voters.

That audience rivaled the one for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama last week. Nielsen Media Research estimated 37.2 million people watched Palin on either ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox News Channel or MSNBC. PBS estimated it had four million viewers for the speech.

Last week Obama had 38.4 million viewers on the commercial networks, topping 40 million with PBS and C-SPAN added in.

It’s wonderful to see such interest in this election coming from all corners of the country. Governor Palin’s numbers should adjust again when C-Span is included. Both of these totals show people are now beginning to sit up and take notice of the candidates and their platforms.

Now to the reason for this post.

I spent a good bit of the afternoon attempting to contact the Fox News Network. It was my desire to express my disappointment with their choice to air this evening a “taped” interview Bill O’Reilly concluded today with Barack Obama.

John McCain was careful to not step on the Democratic Convention in Denver. He showed ultimate class in a taped congratulatory message to their presidential nominee at the conclusion of their festivities and Senator Obama’s acceptance speech. Did he announce his Vice Presidential decision the following day..yes, but he never intruded on the convention. Both parties, their officials, candidates, delegates and grassroot workers earn their few days of pomp and circumstance.

In return is the same courtesy being shown the Republican nominee for President? No. Barack Obama signs on to an “exclusive” interview with O’Reilly and it is being viewed as I write this post.

No, I am not watching. I am appalled by the decision on the part of Fox to air this piece this evening. Will the discussion following Senator McCain’s speech be of its substance or will it be of another change of heart exhibited by Barack Oabama?

My hope is that most will ignore this blatant attempt to alter the subject which should be at hand but alas, this is the press we are talking about. To open this door is a disgrace on the part of Fox and speaks volumes to me as to the character of Senator Obama.

Obama may well congratulate Senator McCain tomorrow but it will be hollow praise. O’Reilly may have gained a few rating points this evening but at what price? He claims to be “fair and balanced.” This one interview aired on this particular evening debunks that theme.

I have quoted and linked to many Fox News stories and embedded more than one of their videos on the site. Today I informed them I would no longer do either. Their response, “We are sorry to hear that but programming is designed in advance.”

Funny, this interview was originally scheduled to appear next week, not on the final night of the Republican convention. Advance, my eye. Ratings and controversy are the name of the game.

Senator Obama is not blameless either as he could have stepped up and refused to have this Q & A session shown this evening.

A basic sense of decency is something we lack in the media and this decision by both Fox and the Obama campaign speaks volumes.

Gov. Palin greets RNC crowd Wednesday night.

On Friday when I (~J~) heard Sarah Palin was John McCain’s choice for the vice-presidential running mate I knew I was excited and it wasn’t because she was a woman. I just couldn’t put my finger on why this choice excites me.

Wednesday night before her speech it finally dawned on me. It’s so simple I’m surprised it hadn’t hit me before.

Sarah Palin is a small town girl, as I am. She was on the PTA board as I was, was a small-town mayor of a city where everyone knows everyone else and went on to become Governor of a state important to our economy. She simply has never forgotten her roots.

Reflecting upon Governor Palin’s Vice Presidential nomination speech, we seem to have the same impression. It was dynamic, eclectic and electric! She lit up the room and managed to touch the hearts of millions of viewers in a manner unseen on the political stage in many, many years.

From the onset she showed great strength and courage as she proved she will not cower from those who have an agenda against her or her family.

In addressing energy, corruption and budgetary matters Gov. Palin showed a tremendous grasp of the issues facing the ordinary American family.

She spoke of the issues in this election and addressed the positions of Senators Obama and Biden, contrasting them to the positions of Senator John McCain and herself. In addressing these issues she proved she is not an empty suit, but rather a candidate of high ability, experience and judgment.

It is very clear from her speech she has very high regard for John McCain, the man, the POW and the Senator. The warm feelings between the two of them is noticeable.

This was game 7 of the division semi-finals for the treasured Stanley Cup and Gov. Palin scored the tying goal to put Team McCain/Palin into overtime. It now falls to John McCain to put the puck over the line for the win.

Video provided (thanks to Hot Air) for those who may have missed Governor Palin’s speech.

*Update*: The following video was to be shown last evening as an introduction to Governor Palin. Due to time constraints however, it was necessary it be shelved.