ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin came out swinging against critics on Wednesday at the Republican National Convention, and her home-state delegates said they loved her for it.

"It's tough to answer whether or not she's getting a fair shake" with the intense news media scrutinizing her selection as Sen. John McCain's running mate has prompted, said delegate Nick Stepovich, a former state representative. "We understand that people need to get to know her. We know her. We love her."

Having served as the mayor of Wasilla, a town of less than 10,000, and then for 18 months as governor, Palin is new on the national stage.

And it wasn't long after McCain named her to the GOP ticket that a slow but steady stream of background information began to emerge.

McCain introduced her to the nation as a "hockey mom" with conservative Christian values and a track record of fighting corruption in her own party in Alaska.

But beginning Monday, other stories surfaced:

• She announced that her unmarried 17-year-old daughter, Bristol Palin, is five months pregnant.
• Palin was in the audience when a preacher visiting her church blamed terrorism against Jews on their refusal to convert to Christianity.
• She hired a private attorney to defend her against accusations of abuse of power.
• Her husband once belonged to a fringe political group seeking Alaska's secession from the U.S.
• She has acknowledged smoking marijuana in the past.

"The problem is that the coverage has been more bad than good," Stepovich said. "But that creates controversy, and that's what the media wants."

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose own quest for the White House failed earlier this year, and who preceded Palin on the podium, went so far as to ask "how dare" anyone question Palin's background.

Like many speakers Wednesday night, he asserted that Palin had more executive experience than Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama and his running mate, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, combined.

Echoing the official McCain campaign response to the revelations, Palin blamed the news media for wanting to tear her down.

"I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone," Palin said. "But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion -- I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country," she said to a loud, standing ovation.

Palin tackled the experience issue head on, highlighting her role in cutting taxes, and controlling state spending, paving the way for a $40 billion natural gas pipeline and other projects. But she didn't mention the other recent news stories.

She also hammered Obama to thunderous applause.

"We've all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers. And there is much to like and admire about our opponent," she said. "But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform -- not even in the state senate."

But the questions remain, and no matter what news comes out about her, "she's damned if she does, and damned if she doesn't" talk about it with the news media, said state delegate chairman Chris Nelson, of Anchorage. "But she doesn't have anything to hide. She's transparent."