Newsweek Blogger Checks In From Charlotte About McCain's VP Pick

How Palin Played on the Plane

By Andrew Romano

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--John McCain really, really wants to win. So badly, in fact, that he chose a veep who suffers from the same problem he's always criticizing Obama for--inexperience. Only worse.

I just landed here in North Carolina after taking a 6:45 a.m. flight out of Denver. This meant, of course, that I didn't get to experience the revelation of McCain's new running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in real time. But the flight did provide me with what was arguably a more interesting vantage point on the announcement: from the cabin of a Boeing A321 packed with Democratic delegates, strategists and various and sundry other politicos, all of whom learned the news simultaneously, the moment we touched down, from the tiny flickering screens of our trusty CrackBerries.

The best way to describe the reaction aboard U.S. Airways Flight 1520: shock and awe.

Click here for the entire blog post.

READ FULL STORY

Nelly Performing Free Concert Sept. 4

UPDATE 9/6/08: Click here to read a review of the concert.


Nelly will perform a free show at Neighborhood Theatre on September 4. The concert is being presented by Myspace and T-Mobile Sidekick. The St. Louis rapper, who is no stranger to Charlotte as a minority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, is promoting his new album, Brass Knuckles, which is scheduled to be released September 16.

Neighborhood Theatre holds just under 1,000 people and tickets are going to be very hard to come by. If you aren't lucky enough to get in, you'll be able to watch it live on Myspace. Click here for more info.

READ FULL STORY

Rickles and Smith: Separated at Birth?

I'm watching Jimmy Kimmel Live right now and comedian Don Rickles is one of the guests. Seeing Rickles made me realize that he has an uncanny resemblance to billionaire Lowe's Motor Speedway owner Bruton Smith.

See if you can figure out who is who.

READ FULL STORY

New Movie About Billy Graham

Billy: The Early Years of Billy Graham hits theaters October 10. The movie depicts Graham's life as a teenager, through college, and his road to becoming one of the most famous religious leaders in the world. Much of the movie showcases his life in Charlotte.

Here's the trailer.



For more info, visit the movie's official website.

READ FULL STORY

Kournikova Is Coming!

I saw an ad today in the September issue of Charlotte magazine for The Championships at The Palisades tennis tournament. This is the third year for the tournament being held at the Tim Wilkison Tennis Complex at The Palisades, an upscale neighborhood on Lake Wylie. I was offered tickets each of the past two years, but each time I was unable to make it. I'll be there this year, though. Why? Because Anna Kournikova will be there. Enough said. Oh, and Man Law.

The tournament is September 24-28, and Kournikova is scheduled to play in mixed doubles exhibitions during both the day and night sessions on Saturday, September 27. Click here for more info.

READ FULL STORY