Projo Politics Blog

Governor Carcieri warmed up the Rhode Island GOP convention delegation this morning for the high-stakes, prime-time speech by his fellow governor from Alaska, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

``Let me tell you, you are in for a treat tonight,'' Carcieri said. John McCain's running mate ``is one tough lady,'' he said. ``She epitomizes the whole McCain mantra'' of shaking up Washington to serve the country.

Carcieri, who sprang for the bacon-and-egg-on-English-muffins breakfast at the local delegation's hotel, said Palin will be an especially helpful complement to McCain on the energy issues of such concern to Rhode Islanders anxious about the heating bills in the winter ahead.

Carcieri said Palin spoke forcefully on the topic at a July meeting of the nation's governors in Philadelphia, displaying the grasp of oil-industry issues that she has picked up as the chief executive of a great oil-producing state. ``She was frustrated by the inaction in Congress'' on efforts -- now supported by McCain -- to develop domestic supplies of oil and gas as well as alternative energy sources, Carcieri said.

``Alaskans love their state's natural beauty and they love the outdoors,'' Carcieri said, and -- like their governor -- ``they understand that you can develop these energy resources without damaging the environment.''

On the energy front as elsewhere, Carcieri predicted that tonight's audience will be struck by Palin's ``level-headedness and her sense of urgency'' about the nation's business.

 Tags  Carcieri McCain Palin Republican Convention

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