Palin, whose youngest child has Down syndrome, also promised families of special-needs children will have "a friend and advocate in the White House."

As she took the stage, the crowd waved banners reading "Hockey moms for Palin" and shouted, "We love you, Sarah."

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani warmed up the crowd by continuing the barrage on Obama Wednesday night, calling him a "celebrity senator" with no leadership experience.

Earlier, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee got the crowd cheering when he ripped Obama for looking to Europe for ways to change America.

"Barack Obama's excellent adventure to Europe took his campaign for change to hundreds of thousands of people who don't even vote or pay taxes here," he said.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney earlier blasted "liberal Washington," saying McCain is a "prescription for every American who wants change in Washington."

Palin's address is sure to generate a lot of attention, because McCain surprised many political observers last week with his selection of Palin over better-known contenders.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2008)