Michael Steele got the crowd going and had the two surprise chant slogans of the evening.  After he said "drill baby drill" when talking about energy policy the crowd chanted it back loudly and it was repeated throughout the night.  What really got the crowd going, and what I think will stick, was simply the word "zero".  Referring to Obama's leadership experience, Steele used the word zero.  The Republicans in the arena loved it and it was the main chant of the evening.  For the rest of the night it rivaled the chant of USA, USA, USA.  I think 0bama (notice the zero) needs to be seriously worried about his prospects in November.

The night was filled with serious speakers.  Republican heavyweights lined up to praise John McCain and Sarah Palin.  Mike Huckabee gave a great speech and received a warm reception.  Mitt Romney took the stage to a standing ovation by the entire arena.  He gave a terrific speech as well.

Rudy Giuliani took to the stage and tore it up.  This is probably the best speech I have ever seen him give and the crowd was loving it.  He had the delegates and guests in attendance yelling, chanting, laughing and cheering.  I have to admit I was skeptical about him being the keynote speaker, but I quickly realized that I was wrong.  A fantastic and rousing speech.  As soon as Giuliani left the stage Governor Palin walked out.  The crowd went nuts.  The applause lasted for at least five minutes.  You could feel the affection for her in the arena.  People were on their feet and hanging on every word that she said.  The name Excel Energy Center is appropriate because the energy that Sarah Palin generated with her speech was immense.  I heard many people repeating her line "what is the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull...lipstick" throughout the rest of the night and this morning as well.  When Governor Palin was finished her family joined her onstage.  Then something happened that surprised me.  When John McCain took the stage the place erupted.  I have never seen anything like it.  It sounded like a bomb went off in the area.  A shockwave of applause and cheering literally shook the arena.  Seriously, I could feel the vibration from the sound.  It was incredible.  The 0bama Biden ticket is in serious, serious trouble.

Zero...Zero...Zero...Zero