McCain: "It's time to show the world again how Americans lead"

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain in last night's acceptance speech:



McCain's speech didn't quite bring the hammer down on Sen. Barack Obama the way the Democratic nominee did on him, but the audience seemed pleased -- no small feat after the anti-McCain rancor within his own party earlier this election season. McCain's delivery and body language in conventional speeches differ greatly from his approach to town hall forums (which he's particularly fond of), so don't expect to get much of a feel for how he'll approach the Belmont debate from last night's speech.

Palin: "Sudden and relentless reform never sits well with entrenched interests"

From Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's acceptance speech last night:



With the vice presidential debate to be held just five days before the Belmont debate, how will Gov. Palin and Sen. Joe Biden shape the tone -- and expectations -- of the debate here?

You can read the entire transcript of Palin's speech here.