US presidential election

Palin comes out swinging

Article published on the 2008-09-04 Latest update 2008-09-04 08:53 TU

Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
(Photo: Reuters)

Newly-selected Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin attacked Democratic candidate Barack Obama for using smooth rhetoric but lacking concrete accomplishments when she addressed the Republican National Convention Wednesday night in St Paul, Minnesota.

"This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting and never use the word 'victory' except when he's talking about his own campaign," she said.

The prime-time speech that was broadcast live across the United States was Palin’s first test as a national-level politician. Worries that Palin doesn’t have enough political experience were largely alleviated as she delivered a series of pointed attacks on Obama.

"We've all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers. And there is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate," she said.

"Victory in Iraq is finally in sight, and he wants to forfeit ... Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to commit catastrophic harm on America, and he's worried that someone won't read them their rights," she told the roaring crowd.

She went on to praise her running-mate, John McCain, who officially received the nomination last night, as someone who can get results.

"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," she said.

The Obama campaign described Palin's speech as "well-delivered" but added that it was "written by George Bush's speechwriter and sounds exactly like the same divisive, partisan attacks we've heard from George Bush for the last eight years".

Former mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani also addressed the convention Wednesday, attacking Obama as “the least experienced candidate for president of the United States in at least the last 100 years".