Campaign officials accused Democrats of sexism for questioning Palin's qualifications, citing remarks by Obama and his running mate, Joe Biden, belittling her management experience. And the campaign railed against the media for reporting on the revelation this week that her unmarried 17-year-old daughter is five months pregnant, though Palin announced the pregnancy Monday and her daughter's teenage husband-to-be plans to attend the convention.
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Prepping her for prime time
Palin's been out of sight before her crucial convention speech.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday, September 04, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 2 inches; 81 words Type of Material: Correction
Sarah Palin: The On the Media column in Wednesday's Section A mentioned a controversy about vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's actions in the firing of an Alaska state trooper who was once her brother-in-law. The state trooper, Mike Wooten, was not fired but suspended. Also, an article in Wednesday's Section A about the vetting of Palin said the Alaska governor had stayed in Middleton, Ohio, the night before she was announced as Sen. John McCain's running mate. She stayed in Middletown.
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Moreover, with some GOP strategists worried that the Palin pick has undercut McCain's argument that Obama is too inexperienced to be president, internal campaign talking points obtained Tuesday by The Times signal that Republicans will try to retake the experience argument -- drawing a direct parallel between Palin and Democratic nominee Obama.
"Obama's 'experience' is running for president," read the talking points, distributed Tuesday to campaign surrogates who appear on radio and television talk shows. "Gov. Palin's experience is bringing people together to get things done."
Another document distributed to GOP delegates urges them to discuss Palin's knowledge of energy issues as governor of an oil-producing state -- and exhorts the delegates in their discussions of Palin: "STAY POSITIVE when talking to reporters."
The task of selling the country on Palin has grown more complicated in recent days.
In addition to her daughter's pregnancy, new details are raising questions about how much the Arizona senator's team researched Palin.
She recently retained a lawyer to represent her as investigators probe whether she improperly fired a state public safety official for failing to fire her former brother-in-law, a trooper. And despite her claim to be a champion against the "abuse" of budgetary earmarks, it turns out that as mayor of tiny Wasilla, Alaska, and as governor, she sought tens of millions of dollars in hometown projects. Also, although she brags about her opposition to the infamous "bridge to nowhere" that symbolizes McCain's hatred of pork-barrel spending, Palin supported the project until it grew too expensive.
Amid those reports, a Republican with close ties to the campaign has said that Palin's selection was a rushed decision and that she was vetted at the last minute.
McCain aides have said that Palin was fully vetted over many months. But in sending a team of lawyers and other staffers to Alaska this week, the campaign is creating the impression that there is more research to be done. And some party strategists say they fear another disclosure that could cripple the Palin candidacy.
