It dilutes the message.

Thus, it was refreshing to see Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle take on those who argue that governing Alaska is just small change. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani followed by comparing Palin's experience -- deemed insufficient to qualify her as a running mate -- with that of Barack Obama, who began running for the White House after two years in the U.S. Senate.

The discussion had turned to two important functions of a political convention: establishing your bona fides and hitting the other side. Palin explained how she took on her state's big spending; she called Obama a "man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or even a reform, not even in the state Senate."

Now it is time for the GOP to stop licking its wounds and engage in a more detailed engagement on foreign policy, the role of government, and how McCain can strengthen the economy. The biographical information provided Wednesday night was vital, but as Palin herself said, the "presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery."

I've been about as critical of the media pile-on of Palin as anyone. But I have to say, when the delegates turned to the press stands and booed, it reminded me of the GOP convention in 1992 in Houston, when social conservatives began chanting to the media, "Tell the truth."

Guess what happened that year? President George H.W. Bush lost.