But rather than Kodiak bears, elk or wolves, Governor Palin got her crosshairs set on one man: US Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

With media speculating that the McCain camp has been pushed onto its backfoot following multiple revelations regarding Governor Palin's past, some might have thought the 44-year-old, mother of five would adopt an understated, defensive tone. Not so.

Governor Palin provided a dramatic close to the third day of the Republican National Convention by slamming Barack Obama while simultaneously touting her small-town government and energy issues experience.

Though Governor Palin carries the reputation of a fighter, before Wednesday night, the rest of the world had not yet seen her tenacity live and in action. But her intentions and style were clear, when she early on, in a particularly pointed barb, attacked Senator Obama's past as a community organiser in Chicago.

"Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown," she said. "And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organiser, except that you have actual responsibilities."

In a classic 'when life hands you lemons' routine, Governor Palin chose to address the media frenzy surrounding her family head on. Bristol Palin, the 17-year-old, pregnant and unmarried daughter of the governor, was brought on stage with the rest of the family, including her 18-year-old fianc?e Levi Johnston.

Image: Sarah Palin addresses the Republican National Convention
Photograph: Paresh Gandhi

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