Delegates show support for McCain’s running mate, Palin defends experience

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin struck back Wednesday night after days of being pegged as inexperienced from critics. As Republican nominee John McCain’s running mate, Palin defended her experience with new confidence while taking several jabs at Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama.

“There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you,” Palin said, referring to McCain’s military experience. Palin, who has served as governor of Alaska for about two years, emphasized McCain’s experience while defending her own.

“Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown,” she said. “And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities.”

McCain, who made a brief appearance following Palin’s speech, was officially nominated Wednesday night and will formally accept the nomination in a speech later today.

Palin’s speech came just after several days of media heat detailing her 17-year-old daughter’s pregnancy and questioning her experience and qualification to be vice president. Palin’s comments on the media led several delegates sitting near some of the press to point directly to them while Republicans erupted into applause.

“I’ve learned quickly, these past few days, that if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone,” Palin said. “But here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion – I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this great country.”

“Wherever he goes and whoever is listening, John McCain is the same man,” Palin said. “Here’s how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. 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.”

Luke Messer, an Indiana delegate and state co-chair for John McCain in Indiana, said Republicans were thrilled with her speech.

“People were ecstatic,” Messer said. “Tonight she showed why John McCain picked her.”

Kurt and Kristen Luidhardt, a couple from Greenwood, Ind., who own a political consulting firm and attended the convention as guests, praised Palin for her strength in a time when she has been criticized.

“She was electrifying,” Luidhardt said. “She demonstrated why John McCain chose her over many other qualified candidates.” Luidhardt said the comments directed toward Obama were tough but “she’s not going to sit by and let Democrats take petty attacks on her.”

Speaking before Palin included three of McCain’s former competitors in the race for the Republican nomination, all which praised his experience and character. With the burden of Hurricane Gustav behind them, Republicans were more at ease, showing their energy and enthusiasm in a more party-like atmosphere than the previous evenings.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani emphasized the experience of both McCain and Palin, while discrediting Obama’s just before Palin took the stage.

“For president of the United States it’s not good enough to be present,” Giuliani said, referring to Obama’s experience as a senator. “You must make decisions.”

Giuliani also lavished praise on Palin’s experience as a mayor and governor.

“Governor Palin represents a new generation,” Giuliani said. “She’s already one of the most successful governors in America – and the most popular. And she’s already had more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket combined.”
Giulinai also harshly criticized Obama.

“She’s been a mayor. I’m sorry that Barack Obama feels that her hometown isn’t cosmopolitan enough,” he said. “I’m sorry, Barack, that it’s not flashy enough. Maybe they cling to religion there.”

Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts attacked liberal ideas, saying Democrats “don’t have a clue” and called for Republicans and voters to “stop the spread of government dependency to fight it like the poison it is.”

“We need change all right – change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington,” Romney said. “We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington: Throw out the big government liberals and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin.”

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas gave harsh criticism to the media over the last few days. Huckabee called the coverage and reporting “tackier than a costume change at a Madonna concert.”

Huckabee garnered an especially long round of cheers and a standing ovation praising Palin and added he was “so tired of hearing about her lack of experience. She got more votes running for mayor of Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States.”