I sort of completely see why Rudy was before Palin--there was no way she could've had any of them on their feet and cheering. She made good jabs, but few of them were particularly on-your-feet fist-pumping. I was totally with you, wondering why he was directly before her, but I think that it was just purely to get the audience used to jumping, laughing, and participating.
Did you notice how desperately she was attempting to get people to pipe down so she could start? "Thank you very much-- *looks lost, mouths something* Thank you, Thank you." Maybe that's just me?
Tom Brokaw of all people totally called Palin out on the Congress "bridge to nowhere" project. He said something to the effect of "She was previously in support of the project, but changed her mind when Congress said that Alaska would have to foot half the bill".