This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7597218.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| Mr Romney is the first of three one-time rivals of Mr McCain to speak | |
| "We need change all right - change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington," the former Massachusetts governor said. | |
| "We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington - throw out the big government liberals and elect John McCain." | |
| 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. | 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 | 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| "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. | "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. |
| '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. |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| Bristol Palin and boyfriend greet John McCain at Minneapolis-St Paul airport | Bristol 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 pictures | 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 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. | 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. | 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. |