By Mark Scott
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-753925.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin will be in the national spotlight Wednesday night as she accepts her party's nomination. A University at Buffalo political scientist says the speech will be an important one as she tries to introduce herself to the American people.
UB's James Campbell says John McCain's selection of the Alaskan governor as his running mate was a huge surprise. Campbell says it's hard to know how this will play out.
Palin has been under the media microscope this week following the revelation that her teenaged daughter is pregnant. She hasn't spoken publicly since last Friday. That's why Wednesday's speech, says Campbell, is so important.
Political pundits have harshly criticized the McCain campaign for choosing someone with so little experience. Yet rank-and-file Republicans have been effusive in their praise. Campbell says there seems to be a disconnect between the so-called experts and the people.
Still, Campbell says he doesn't think her selection or Barrack Obama's choice of Joe Biden will make much of a difference because it's the top of the ticket that matters most to voters.
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