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McCain weathers Hurricane Palin McCain weathers Hurricane Palin
(about 22 hours later)
By Jonathan Beale BBC News, St Paul Questions have swirled all week about John McCain's running mateBy Jonathan Beale BBC News, St Paul Questions have swirled all week about John McCain's running mate
Two storms threatened to blow the Republican National Convention off course this week.Two storms threatened to blow the Republican National Convention off course this week.
The first, Hurricane Gustav, delayed the start of proceedings, but did not cause the chaos that many had feared.The first, Hurricane Gustav, delayed the start of proceedings, but did not cause the chaos that many had feared.
The second storm was over Senator John McCain's choice of running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. The impact of this would be much harder to predict.The second storm was over Senator John McCain's choice of running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. The impact of this would be much harder to predict.
The questions started last Friday, but only reached a crescendo this week.The questions started last Friday, but only reached a crescendo this week.
Who was Mrs Palin? How and why was she chosen? What qualified her to be his running mate and where exactly was Wasilla, Alaska?Who was Mrs Palin? How and why was she chosen? What qualified her to be his running mate and where exactly was Wasilla, Alaska?
The smiling family - Trig, Track, Bristol, Piper and Willow - turned out to be not quite so perfect.The smiling family - Trig, Track, Bristol, Piper and Willow - turned out to be not quite so perfect.
'Scented blood''Scented blood'
Mrs Palin's 17-year-old unmarried daughter Bristol was pregnant. Had the McCain campaign done its homework, or was this a rather desperate shot in the dark?Mrs Palin's 17-year-old unmarried daughter Bristol was pregnant. Had the McCain campaign done its homework, or was this a rather desperate shot in the dark?
The media found out Sarah Palin's teenage daughter was pregnantThe media found out Sarah Palin's teenage daughter was pregnant
Some in the media pack scented blood.Some in the media pack scented blood.
The hunt was on when Mrs Palin appeared to go to ground for the first few days of the convention. It all seemed to be heading for disaster.The hunt was on when Mrs Palin appeared to go to ground for the first few days of the convention. It all seemed to be heading for disaster.
Yet Mrs Palin turned out to be the darling of the convention.Yet Mrs Palin turned out to be the darling of the convention.
Maybe in part because of the media's attacks. But mostly because of that speech that fired up the party faithful.Maybe in part because of the media's attacks. But mostly because of that speech that fired up the party faithful.
She used her humble origins, humour and a stiletto heel to turn the attack on the media and the Democrats.She used her humble origins, humour and a stiletto heel to turn the attack on the media and the Democrats.
'Sudden stardom''Sudden stardom'
Rarely has such a political unknown shot to such sudden stardom - 37 million Americans watched her speech.Rarely has such a political unknown shot to such sudden stardom - 37 million Americans watched her speech.
Just a few million fewer than had watched Barack Obama in Denver.Just a few million fewer than had watched Barack Obama in Denver.
The reality is that there are still questions about Mrs Palin.The reality is that there are still questions about Mrs Palin.
Sarah Palin became an instant star at the conventionSarah Palin became an instant star at the convention
And there will be greater tests ahead. But she has re-energised the Republican base and rallied support around Mr McCain.And there will be greater tests ahead. But she has re-energised the Republican base and rallied support around Mr McCain.
It is worth remembering that many conservatives still had strong reservations about the Vietnam veteran before Mrs Palin was chosen.It is worth remembering that many conservatives still had strong reservations about the Vietnam veteran before Mrs Palin was chosen.
St Paul, Minnesota, may have been their road to Damascus.St Paul, Minnesota, may have been their road to Damascus.
But John McCain still had plenty to prove.But John McCain still had plenty to prove.
'No McSame''No McSame'
First he needed to distance himself from an unpopular President Bush and to blunt the Democratic Party attacks that a McCain administration would be more of the McSame.First he needed to distance himself from an unpopular President Bush and to blunt the Democratic Party attacks that a McCain administration would be more of the McSame.
The fact that Mr Bush did not appear in person at the convention probably helped.The fact that Mr Bush did not appear in person at the convention probably helped.
As did the focus on Mrs Palin.As did the focus on Mrs Palin.
Mr McCain's biggest theme was regaining the American people's trustMr McCain's biggest theme was regaining the American people's trust
Mr McCain also had to reach out beyond the Republican base.Mr McCain also had to reach out beyond the Republican base.
The attacks on his rival, delivered by his surrogates, were effective.The attacks on his rival, delivered by his surrogates, were effective.
But there had been precious little detail in terms of policy. How would a McCain administration differ from eight years of Bush?But there had been precious little detail in terms of policy. How would a McCain administration differ from eight years of Bush?
In the end Mr McCain's speech ticked most of the boxes, without setting the world alight.In the end Mr McCain's speech ticked most of the boxes, without setting the world alight.
He has never been the most inspirational of speakers - and it was always going to be hard to compete with the oratory of Barak Obama. He has never been the most inspirational of speakers - and it was always going to be hard to compete with the oratory of Barack Obama.
But he filled in some of the details on economic policy.But he filled in some of the details on economic policy.
His biggest theme: To regain the trust of the American people. In truth the speech did not contain any real surprises.His biggest theme: To regain the trust of the American people. In truth the speech did not contain any real surprises.
But then Mr McCain - the self-proclaimed maverick - had already done that in the selection of his running mate. A move that has already shaken up this race.But then Mr McCain - the self-proclaimed maverick - had already done that in the selection of his running mate. A move that has already shaken up this race.