McCain camp to get ‘more political tonight’

ST. PAUL — The Republican convention will get "more political" Wednesday night, according to John McCain's campaign.

Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, said Wednesday morning that GOPers will draw  severe contrasts with rival Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on its third day. The first day of the convention was canceled due to  Hurricane Gustav and the second was focused on service.

{mosads}Davis, on a conference call with reporters, said that observers can expect to "see a little sharper contrast tonight."

"We are getting a little more political tonight," Davis said.

After Republicans abbreviated the schedule for Monday night, the rest of the week's program was thrown into flux.

However, McCain's running mate — and the story of the week — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is still scheduled to speak Wednesday night following the delayed keynote address by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Two of McCain's other former rivals, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, are scheduled to speak Wednesday night but not in primetime.

Palin has come under intense scrutiny since the Arizona senator announced her as his choice last Friday, and Davis said while some of that is deserved, some of it has been "inappropriate."

"Certainly her record deserves scrutiny, but we ought to look at her record," Davis said.

Davis added that some in the media have gone too far in examining Palin's past, especially following the revelation that her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, and noted the media should "dial it back."