compiled scripting language

would it be possible to convert a scripting language like Python or Ruby so that it compiles directly to machine code? if so would it be as fast as Pascal/Delphi? would it be possible to give languages like Python the option to declare types statically to override the dynamic typing?

>>3
Pyrex is obsolete, use http://www.cython.org instead.

Psyco is also obsolete, see PyPy from the same authors.