Palin attacks Obama in big speech

By Sima Kotecha
Newsbeat US reporter in St Paul, Minnesota

"You know they say what's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick."

The gag - from America's newest, best known hockey mom had them roaring with laughter at the Republican National Convention.

It was Sarah Palin's big night: her big speech - her big moment in the limelight.

A spine-tingling moment for women across the States - even a knee trembler for some of the men.

The woman who could be the country's first female vice-president walked on to the stage at the Xcel Energy Centre looking confident.

Her hair was half up and half down, trademark glasses on, a black skirt, stilettos and a creamy suit jacket. She seemed to say 'Watch out Washington.'

She moved to the microphone, brushed off those early nerves and officially accepted her position as number two to John McCain.

Republican bigwigs had spent days writing the speech and rehearsing her for this moment.

First off it was the small hometown life - her background, her husband and five children: "Our family has the same ups and downs as any other, the same challenges and the same joys."

Barack attack

Television footage has shown Palin firing off several rounds at a target from a rifle and it's known that she likes hunting in Alaska - her home state - and it wasn't long before she turned her fire on Barack Obama.

Sarah Palin at the Republican convention

She didn't name him, but she went in hard: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent... But... it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform." Ouch.

She went on: "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 accused him of only really being into "bigger government".

State interference in people's lives and the power of the Washington and media insiders and elites was a frequent target for her.

She believes she is sneered at for her small town roots. But she hit back at them saying: "I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country."

Public response

But what did the mostly loyal audience make of it?

23-year-old Kalvin is a huge fan: "There is no doubt she can take on any party, any government, so bring it on Senator Obama."

Bristol Palin and her boyfriend watched the speech

Her family, including her 17-year-old pregnant daughter Bristol and her boyfriend, watched from the balcony across the stage.

But away from the convention centre, millions of Americans were glued to their TVs at home.

One woman Newsbeat spoke to said: "I thought it was kind of cheesy that her whole family was there - especially her daughter's boyfriend. That was all for the media in my opinion."

According to the Republicans at the convention centre she was fantastic, flawless and dynamic.

She hit the right notes by talking about US troops in Iraq, being a mum and the importance of family, and helping the poor when the country's facing a recession.

Her sense of humour also did well with the crowd - she was even just a tiny bit sexy for others.

Republican Party supporters were enthusiastic about the speech

But that is what you would expect from those on the same team. Outside of that circle it's a different story.

Many Democrats and non-committed voters still believe she's not experienced enough and that if John McCain suddenly became ill, they wouldn't feel confident with her leading the nation.

Some of them reckon one speech doesn't prove she's ready for the job.

The crunch could come in a face to face vice-presidential debate with hard-as-nails Washington strongman Joe Biden.

It's a mouth-watering prospect for insiders, hometown folk and the media alike.