After delivering the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic national convention in Boston, there was never a question in my mind that then-little-known Barack Obama would become President of the U.S.

Obama's inspirational speech in the aftermath of the Tucson tragedy sealed a re-election bid.

Obama’s eloquence sharply contrasted with GOP front-runner Sarah “Blood Libel” Palin’s smash-mouth video.

Obama spoke of unity. Palin attacked critics. Obama connected with the audience. Palin was overly scripted and robotic, a huge departure from her trademark folksiness. Obama spoke of civility. Palin implied that the U.S. should be grateful because today’s heated rhetoric is a big step up from the days of Congressional duels. [In a bid to update those golden days of Congress, Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert plans to introduce a bill to allow congressmen to carry guns in the Capitol.]

Obama soared. Palin shrunk.

There is just no side-by-side comparison. Obama was elected president in 2008. Yesterday, he became president.

Well-respected media trainer, Virgil Scudder, has nothing but high praise for Obama’s performance. Scudder blogged that Obama’s “delivery was flawless. His variety in volume, pitch, pacing and pauses were exemplary.” Must importantly, Scudder senses that Obama spoke from the heart. “No speaker can achieve this level of performance if his feelings and words written for him do not fully align,” he wrote.

The ultimate tribute: Scudder plans to use a video of the president's talk in training sessions.

The $364K question: How could Palin so misread the political climate following the murder of six people and the attempted assassination of a member of Congress]?

Now is not the time to lash out or claim victimhood. What on earth was Palin thinking? Or was she thinking at all?

Palin takes pride in relying on a loose network of political advisors. Husband Todd is said to be advisor No. 1 to Mama Grizzly. If serious about mounting a very uphill challenge to President Obama, Palin better call in some pros ASAP.

It will take a lot to rebound from the video disaster. The president is in full stride.