Republican John McCain (web|news|bio) said Wednesday that Sarah Palin is a solid running mate because she's "in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply" as Alaska's governor, has served as a mayor and the voters in her state have evaluated her and approved of her at the ballot box. Striking a populist chord, he also asserted her distance from Washington is a benefit. "This is what Americans want," McCain said. "They don't want somebody who has, who is, frankly, necessarily gone to Harvard or an Ivy League school. She probably hasn't been to a Georgetown cocktail party. But you know what, she represents everything we want to see in government and America - change and reform and ethics and taking on the special interests."

While defending Palin, McCain said Democratic nominee Barack Obama (web|news|bio) 's accomplishments "are very meager."

McCain also told ABC News, in an interview setting up his speech Thursday to accept the GOP's presidential nomination, that his running mate is capable in foreign policy matters in part because of geography.

"Alaska is right next to Russia," McCain said. "She understands that. Look, Senator Obama's never visited south of our border. I mean, please."

The comments were an effort to help define Palin in advance of her first prime-time exposure to the country - her speech later Wednesday before the Republican National Convention. They also continued McCain's effort to redefine Obama after Democrats spent their convention last week projecting positive images of their party leader.

In previewing his speech, McCain said, "I think I've got to make a case that I'm ready, that I put my country first and it's time to put aside partisan rancor and differences and work together for the country."

Nonetheless, the Arizona senator leveled a series of highly partisan charges against Obama while casting Palin in a most positive light.

"This is a very dynamic person," McCain said of Palin. "She's been the governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply. She's been a mayor."

He also cited her supervision of 24,000 state employees, about two-thirds the number of police officers in New York City, before adding, "Over time, people will compare her accomplishments with that of Senator Obama, and his are very meager."

McCain offered Palin the vice presidency on Aug. 28 during their second face-to-face meeting. In the days after the announcement, Palin revealed her 17-year-old unmarried daughter was pregnant, and documents released in Alaska showed she had retained a private attorney to represent her in an abuse-of-power case.

Nonetheless, the senator said his running mate's background had been adequately checked out - and not just by his aides.

"The people of Alaska have vetted her," said McCain. "That's why she's got an 80 percent approval rating."

Written By GLEN JOHNSON

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