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As the Gulf Coast looked to move forward following a powerful storm, Republicans tried to weather their own political storm involving vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and a series of revelations about her private and professional life.
Sen. John McCain defended his vice presidential selection, saying, "My vetting process was completely thorough, and I'm grateful for the results."
The convention went forward today with a full and significantly revised agenda after being derailed by Hurricane Gustav. Today, the GOP is trying to turn the focus back to the convention and away from questions about McCain's running mate.
In Philadelphia today, McCain defended his choice of running mate, insisting that his staff thoroughly checked out Sarah Palin before he announced the Alaska governor as his running mate last Friday.
But since Friday, more has been learned about Palin. Her 17-year-old unmarried daughter is pregnant. Other startling recent revelations include the fact that Palin faces an ethics investigation in the attempted firing of an Alaska state trooper who divorced her sister; that in the 90s Palin was a member of a party that pushed for a vote on Alaska seceding from the U.S.; and that Palin once backed Alaska's Bridge to Nowhere that John McCain made a symbol of overspending in Washington.
But most GOP delegates still love McCain's choice. Kansas delegate Lora Hines said, "I'm still excited about Sarah Palin. I don't think there are negatives about her. I don't think we need a perfect candidate, just an honest candidate."
Peter Watkins, a Utah Republican, said, "I think it's a shot in the arm for the party, and I think it really gives Sen. McCain a legitimate chance."
But off the floor, among voters, will McCain picking Palin make him look reckless? Norm Ornstein, a political analyst with the American Enterprise Institute, said, "This clearly was decision made at last minute, somewhat impulsively and without due diligence."
Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden had a chance to take a shot at Palin today but didn't. He said, "She's a governor. That's no mean feat, and she seems to have a strong personal story."
Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman, reported to have been McCain's first choice for vice president, will speak at the Republican National Convention tonight on Mccain the maverick; and President Bush will make an appearance from the White House.
