Webb: A grand-slam home run by an unknown rookie that liberals and pundits had written off as a minor-leaguer. It may not have been a game-winner (yet), but it was certainly a game-changer, with Republicans truly excited for the first time in the entire election season. Palin is going to attract huge crowds and drive them to frenzy wherever she appears. A rock-star political phenomenon has been born, exactly what the somewhat-stodgy, somewhat-irascible (yet still a maverick) McCain needed.

Pignanelli: A home run. ... in the bottom of the eighth inning. But it takes more than one home run to win a baseball game against an opponent several runs ahead. Her convention performance was very good: strong but not shrill, appealing to middle-class blue-collar families. Of course, it always helps to have the crowd warmed up by an articulate Italian (Rudy Giuliani). As a lifelong Utahn, I was cheered by her defense of small towns and small states. Further, Palin and Obama demonstrate the American dream — regardless of humble beginnings — is alive and well. Yet Palin's current appeal will diminish as voters learn of her extremist and strange views on some issues. She has a preacher problem similar to Obama — her former pastor publicly states that President Bush was anointed by God and all his critics are destined for hell. (It will be a crowded, but fun, bipartisan netherworld.)

What will be the impact of the conventions on Utah political races?

Pignanelli: The strong winds the state experienced last weekend were caused by thousands of sighs of relief exhaled by Democrats when learning Mitt Romney was not McCain's running mate. Utah Democrats remain energized and have accelerated their tremendous grass-roots efforts.

The GOP remains haunted by the incompetence and wastefulness of the Bush administration, which gives fodder to the Democrats. Utah GOP, frustrated by Romney's loss in the primaries and the unpopularity of their national party, remain worried about several local races. Romney on the vice presidential slot guaranteed lopsided victories that even a conservative Western woman cannot deliver. Thus, Republicans in tight races will have to hit the streets and campaign like Democrats.

Webb: Mitt who? After Palin's performance, who cares? Palin will energize and unite Utah Republicans almost as much as Romney would. The GOP convention has left Utah Republicans enthusiastic and optimistic after several years of disgust with Washington (even when Republicans were in control). McCain/Palin will win big at the top of the ticket in Utah, and some GOP candidates on the bubble will be swept to victory in the current.

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Republican LaVarr Webb is a political consultant and lobbyist. Previously he was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and a Deseret News managing editor. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. His spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a Utah state tax commissioner. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.