Sarah Palin speaks her piece tonight (following a raft of others on the GOP podium)

Tonight's speaking schedule for the Republican National Convention is crammed with notables, but the spotlight will intensely focus on just one -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the surprise pick by John McCain as his running mate.

Palin, who has been kept under wraps by the McCain campaign for the last few days, will culminate the evening's program with an address that probably will begin around 10:30 p.m. EDT (7:30 p.m. PDT).

Although her appearance will be the night's climatic moment, the convention's delegates won't disperse after she departs the podium. Under the schedule that the conclave's planners have been scrambling to rearrange after Monday's opening session was abbreviated because of Hurricane Gustav, McCain is to be officially nominated after Palin's speech.

Those scheduled to precede Palin on the stage tonight include the almost-nominee's wife, Cindy McCain. Intriguingly, the would-be first lady, in an interview to air later today on the CBS Evening News, parted company with Palin on one aspect of the abortion issue.

Mrs. McCain told Katie Couric that while she is "pro-life," she does not oppose abortion in cases on rape or incest. Our colleague Mark Silva has more on the interview at The Swamp blog.

Others slated to speak during the 10 p.m. PDT prime-time hour are Rudy Giuliani (the keynoter) and Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle (who no doubt will offer herself as a kindred spirit with Palin).

Set for the 9 p.m. EDT hour: Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee (the latter two sought the nomination that McCain claimed).

Set for the 8 p.m. EDT hour: Buisness executives Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina, both of whom have become high-profile McCain advisors.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Peter]

hopeFully Sarah Palin will do perfect tonight at the convention. This will be the single most important moment for her, Everyone will be watching. If you want to know more about Palins Background, Her Families Background., and Pics and Videos they have an extensive amount of info at http://www.veeppeek.com

[Valerie]

I cant wait to see her speak! I hope she blows the crowd away and shows the naysayers who she really is

[basementfrog]

Let her explain why Levi Johnston shouldn't be arrested as a pedophile, that's what she needs to do.

This is his second child; the first was with a 13 year old girl. Even by Alaskan standards (which are very loose) that is a bit young.

Will she support states that wish to secede from the United States, since her and her husband were both in a party pushing to have Alaska secede from the Union?

Will she legalize pot since she smokes it herself?

Will she start supporting unwed mothers, particularly teens so they can finish an education through college?

[Frieda]

I never thought I would say this that Republican ticket has more excitment than Democrats now. After 2 years of watching Obama campaign, he is seems so passe...

Sarah's book is now #16 on Amazon

Her blogs are popping out on the net on daily basis

I get calls from ladies who hardly have voted before...

I am so jazzed!

http://www.governorpalin.blogspot.com

[Im Moving On]

I am so disgusted with the Republicans abandoning family values just to pander to the feminist Democrats. This is not the party I look to to protect my family and preserve the world I wish my children to grow up in. Why not just pick some Hollywood starlet with all the fame and who is the pre-requisite sex? For the first time I will not vote Republican. I don't know if I can bring myself to vote Democrat, but I know the Republicans no longer represent my values.

[Paul]

Sarah Palin in the Princess of Pork. Her real belief is in the politics of hypocrisy - and Americans are tired of that after 8 years of George W. Bush.

[PacificGatePost]

MAINSTREAM MEDIA HAS SLID INTO THE SWAMP

The Dems and Reps are left to sell their leaders to America.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/09/dems-and-republicans-now-sell-what-they.html

Image is now everything. The real challenges have vacated consciousness.

[sarah palin speech]

sarah palin delivered a really good speech..

i think that will change how people think of her..