Momentum builds up on day 3 of U.S. Republican convention

Source: Xinhua | 09-04-2008 13:35

SAINT PAUL, the United States, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Three days into a four-day national convention, the U.S. Republican Party is building momentum of its truncated gathering as the party's presumptive presidential nominee John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin are expected to join the show on Wednesday night.

McCain, who had been engaged in responding to Hurricane Gustav and conspicuously absent from the convention so far, flew in the capital city of Minnesota earlier Wednesday and had a brief but high profile encounter with his vice presidential pick Palin and her family at the airport.

U.S. Republican vice-presidential candidate Alaska Governor  Sarah Palin campaigns in Washington, Pennsylvania Aug. 30,  2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The Arizona senator is expected to be nominated as the presidential candidate of the Republican Party in a roaring roll call which will be conducted late Wednesday night. He will be formally crowned with the nomination on Thursday night when he delivers an acceptance speech.

The spotlight, however, will be on Palin Wednesday night when she addresses the convention in prime time. This will be the first time for the 44-year-old governor of Alaska to deliver a major speech after becoming the surprise pick of McCain's running mate.