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Palin primed for convention debut Palin primed for convention debut
(20 minutes later)
John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, is to defend her small-town roots and attack the Democrats in a key speech to the US Republican convention.John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, is to defend her small-town roots and attack the Democrats in a key speech to the US Republican convention.
The Alaska governor's address in Minnesota comes amid scrutiny of her record and two days after she said her unmarried daughter, 17, was pregnant.The Alaska governor's address in Minnesota comes amid scrutiny of her record and two days after she said her unmarried daughter, 17, was pregnant.
Former Governor Mitt Romney opened what was expected to be a series of fierce attacks on the Democrats by his party. Former Governors Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee opened the night by hailing Mr McCain and attacking the Democrats.
Mr McCain is due to be nominated as the party's presidential candidate later.Mr McCain is due to be nominated as the party's presidential candidate later.
Mitt Romney, the first of three one-time rivals of Mr McCain for the Republican nomination to speak in St Paul, used his speech to hammer the Democrats over their "liberal" agenda. Mrs Palin is due to give her much-anticipated address soon after 2130 local time (0230 GMT) in front of a packed convention floor in St Paul.
Romney urges vote for McCain In excerpts released before the speech, Mrs Palin highlights her background as a small town "hockey mom" and stresses the fact that she is not part of the "Washington elite".
"We need change all right - change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington," the former Massachusetts governor said. The mother of five is also expected to go on the attack against Democratic candidate Barack Obama, who is running on a "change" agenda, saying: "In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers.
"We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington - throw out the big government liberals and elect John McCain." Mr McCain's campaign has rejected claims it did not vet Mrs Palin properly
He also lauded Mr McCain's national security credentials, saying he was the presidential contender who would defeat "evil" radical Islam.
Mrs Palin is due to give her much-anticipated address soon after 2130 local time (0230 GMT) in front of a packed convention floor.
In excerpts released before the speech, Mrs Palin highlights her background as a small town "hockey mom" and stresses the fact that she is not part of the "Washington elite" but would go to the capital to serve the people.
Presented by Mr McCain as his running mate choice less than a week ago, Mrs Palin has been keeping a relatively low profile since the start of the four-day convention. [John McCain] sees a partner in Sarah who will help him reform Washington - not just talk about it McCain adviser Carly Fiorina on Sarah Palin Webb's AmericaRepublican Convention diaryIn pictures: Convention day three
But in her speech, the mother of five is expected to go on the attack against Democratic candidate Barack Obama, who is running on a "change" agenda, saying: "In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers.
"And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.""And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."
Mrs Palin - who supports drilling for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - will also talk about energy policy, saying that while drilling "will not solve all of America's energy problems", that is "no excuse to do nothing at all".Mrs Palin - who supports drilling for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - will also talk about energy policy, saying that while drilling "will not solve all of America's energy problems", that is "no excuse to do nothing at all".
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will also speak before Mrs Palin comes on stage. Mr Romney, a one-time rival of Mr McCain for the Republican nomination, used his speech to hammer the Democrats over their "liberal" agenda.
Mr Giuliani earlier defended Mrs Palin in a television interview for the CBS Early Show, saying she had more executive experience than Mr Obama, a senator for Illinois. "We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington - throw out the big government liberals and elect John McCain," the former Massachusetts governor said.
"I would say Barack Obama has never governed a city, never governed a state, never governed an agency, never run a military unit, never run anything," he said. He also lauded Mr McCain's national security credentials, saying he was the presidential contender who would defeat "evil" radical Islam. [John McCain] sees a partner in Sarah who will help him reform Washington - not just talk about it McCain adviser Carly Fiorina on Sarah Palin class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/2008/09/carly_fiorina_on_sarah_palin.html">Webb's America class="" href="/1/hi/in_depth/americas/2008/vote_usa_2008/7597122.stm">Republican Convention diary class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7597221.stm">In pictures: Convention day three
Mr Huckabee, also a former rival of Mr McCain, joked that he had hoped to be giving the speech on Thursday night - when Mr McCain will accept the party's nomination to run for president in November's election.
But, he said, he was delighted to be speaking for his second choice, Mr McCain - "a man with the character and stubborn kind of integrity that we need in a president".
He defended Mrs Palin against criticism from the media, saying its coverage had been "tackier than a costume change at a Madonna concert", and attacked the Democrats' vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden.
"I am so tired of hearing about her lack of experience. She got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States," he said, referring to Mr Biden's performance in the Democratic primaries.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani followed Mr Huckabee on stage, the last major speaker before Mrs Palin's speech. He called the 2008 presidential election a "turning point" for the people of the US.
'Faux media scandal''Faux media scandal'
Mrs Palin and her family greeted Mr McCain at the airport as he arrived in Minnesota on Wednesday.Mrs Palin and her family greeted Mr McCain at the airport as he arrived in Minnesota on Wednesday.
Among the party were Mrs Palin's pregnant daughter, Bristol, and the boyfriend she plans to marry, 18-year-old Levi Johnston.Among the party were Mrs Palin's pregnant daughter, Bristol, and the boyfriend she plans to marry, 18-year-old Levi Johnston.
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Bristol Palin and boyfriend greet John McCain at Minneapolis-St Paul airportBristol Palin and boyfriend greet John McCain at Minneapolis-St Paul airport
Ahead of her address, senior McCain campaign adviser Steve Schmidt issued a statement saying that media questions over how thoroughly Mrs Palin was vetted should end.Ahead of her address, senior McCain campaign adviser Steve Schmidt issued a statement saying that media questions over how thoroughly Mrs Palin was vetted should end.
"This vetting controversy is a faux media scandal designed to destroy the first female Republican nominee for vice president of the United States who has never been a part of the old boys' network that has come to dominate the news establishment of this country," the statement said."This vetting controversy is a faux media scandal designed to destroy the first female Republican nominee for vice president of the United States who has never been a part of the old boys' network that has come to dominate the news establishment of this country," the statement said.
It has also been revealed that an attorney has been hired to represent Mrs Palin in an Alaska state ethics investigation involving alleged abuse of power.It has also been revealed that an attorney has been hired to represent Mrs Palin in an Alaska state ethics investigation involving alleged abuse of power.
Mrs Palin is being investigated over the dismissal of a state public safety commissioner, whom she allegedly sacked because he did not dismiss her brother-in-law, a state trooper, involved in a contentious divorce and child custody battle with her younger sister.Voters in Minnesota give their views on Republican Sarah Palin and her daughter's pregnancyIn picturesMrs Palin is being investigated over the dismissal of a state public safety commissioner, whom she allegedly sacked because he did not dismiss her brother-in-law, a state trooper, involved in a contentious divorce and child custody battle with her younger sister.Voters in Minnesota give their views on Republican Sarah Palin and her daughter's pregnancyIn pictures
Sarah Palin told US network CNBC she had "nothing to hide". Her deposition is expected to be scheduled soon.Sarah Palin told US network CNBC she had "nothing to hide". Her deposition is expected to be scheduled soon.
There have also been reports that Mrs Palin sought special financial favours for her city and state - something that the McCain campaign is against.There have also been reports that Mrs Palin sought special financial favours for her city and state - something that the McCain campaign is against.
In addition, it has been reported that her husband once belonged to a fringe political group in Alaska, with some members supporting secession from the United States.In addition, it has been reported that her husband once belonged to a fringe political group in Alaska, with some members supporting secession from the United States.
Mrs Palin was elected governor of Alaska in 2006 and before that was mayor of the small town of Wasilla, Alaska.Mrs Palin was elected governor of Alaska in 2006 and before that was mayor of the small town of Wasilla, Alaska.
She is due to be formally nominated by delegates as the party's vice-presidential choice later this week.She is due to be formally nominated by delegates as the party's vice-presidential choice later this week.
Sarah Palin's selection as vice-presidential nominee has caused great excitement among social conservatives and evangelical Christians gathered at the convention, says the BBC's Adam Brookes in St Paul.
But across the broader Republican Party, there seems to be some unease at the choice of someone who is an unknown quantity, he says.
What is your reaction to the Republican convention? Tell us your thoughts on the event so far by filling in the form below.What is your reaction to the Republican convention? Tell us your thoughts on the event so far by filling in the form below.
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