By Mike Pound

Globe columnist

mpound@joplinglobe.com

Well, the conventions are finally over.

Now the big-time media folks should put away their hair spray, their “smart glasses” and their official “serious journalists” suits and go back to doing what they do best: chasing hurricanes.

Instead, I’m pretty sure what the big-time media folks will do is spend the next few weeks scurrying across Alaska (Motto: You want to come here?) talking to anybody who has had some contact with Sarah Palin. And let’s face it, in a state with a population of 274 people, that probably won’t be to hard to do.

“Wolf, I’m standing here with Gabner Johnson. Mr. Johnson ...”

“Call me Gab.”

“OK, Gab. Now tell me, you once shot a moose that Sarah Palin also shot at. What can you tell us about her?”

“Well, she was a big ol’ thing. Weighed about 400 pounds, I’d say.”

“I mean, what can you tell us about Sarah Palin?”

“Oh. She was OK, I guess.”

“There you have it, Wolf. Folks in Alaska (Motto: Seriously. You want to come here?) think Sarah Palin is OK.”

I think the big-time media folks have mixed emotions about the whole Sarah Palin thing. On one hand, John McCain’s choice of a running mate has given them something to talk about, but on the other hand, they have to go to Alaska (Motto: Really, I mean, why would you want to come here?) to talk about whatever it is they will talk about.

The one thing that the big-time media folks agree on is that it’s too early to say exactly what impact Sarah Palin will have on the presidential race.