I hate liveblogging speeches because my fingers don't walk fast enough to keep up with the words. Plus, it seems a little pointless, not only because machines do a better job, but because the candidates release prepared texts which are available for analysis later.

So I didn't liveblog McCain's speech. Instead, I watched it, and I have to say I was moved. Contrary to popular belief, McCain doesn't talk about his captivity in North Vietnam all that much. Tonight he not only talked about it, but in a coherent explanation of why he's running. The man's sincerity is obvious.

I agree with Glenn Reynolds that it was a good speech but "like Obama, he was overshadowed -- Obama by Bill Clinton, McCain by Sarah Palin." I think he knew he was being overshadowed -- quite possibly by everybody including the damned hecklers who disrupted him repeatedly -- but didn't especially mind.

As he said,

Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed. That's how I will govern as President. I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again. I have that record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not.

Instead of rejecting good ideas because we didn't think of them first, let's use the best ideas from both sides. Instead of fighting over who gets the credit, let's try sharing it. This amazing country can do anything we put our minds to. I will ask Democrats and Independents to serve with me. And my administration will set a new standard for transparency and accountability.

We're going to finally start getting things done for the people who are counting on us, and I won't care who gets the credit.

Some of the pundits (like CNN's Jeffrey Toobin, Fox's Karl Rove, and others) are carrying on about what a lackluster speech it was in contrast to Sarah Palin's, so yes, I just thought I should say that I found McCain inspiring tonight. Yeah, he was a bit slow to get warmed up. I'll be glad if I'm warm enough to speak at all at 72.

The man's stamina amazes me. But that's not what's important.

What is important is that the man is living proof that character still matters.

Even in the era of sound bytes.

MORE: Despite some problems he perceived with the speech, Powerline's Paul Mirengoff thinks McCain connected:

I think McCain may well have connected better with the American people on an emotional level than Obama did. And nothing matters more than that.