WASHINGTON: Signalling that she was no push-over, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in her maiden speech at the Presidential nomination party Convention launched a scathing attack on her critics telling them she was "ready and prepared" for a fight.

Rocketed in less than a week from being an unknown politician in Alaska to the first woman Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Palin took on Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama, accusing him of using "change" to promote his career.

Referring to the Convention theme of country first, the former beauty queen lambasted the Democratic nominee Obama as a candidate out for himself.

"Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers," she said.

"And there are those like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change," she added.

The Republicans greeted their number two slot candidate with a thunderous and extended applause as she strode to the stage for her first speech in which she said that she had accepted the nomination to serve the American people and not to win good opinion of her detractors.

The 44-year old hockey mom of five children -- nicknamed Barracuda for her fighting spirit-- hammered away at different times at Senator Obama and his running mate Senator Joseph Biden for their policies and lack of executive experience.

Her speech was the most awaited one, in view of the huge controversy blowing around her, including disclosures about the pregnancy of her 17-year old unwed daughter and an ethics probe in oil-rich Alaska, whose Governor she is.

The anti-abortion Alaska Governor took special care to introduce her family members, including her five children, specially the fifth child, who is afflicted by down syndrome.

Turning to her critics labelling her short of experience, Palin said, "I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment but I've learned quickly these last 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."

"But here's a newsflash for 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 great country," Palin said.

Palin praised McCains career and his "faith" in the countrys armed forces, stressing that the policies he supported have yielded results in Iraq.

"Our nominee for president is a true profile in courage. He's a man who wore the uniform of his country for 22 years and refused to break faith with those troops in Iraq who now have brought victory within sight.

Palin also took a dig at the Obama camp for highlighting her lack of experience.

"I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain a small-town mayor is sort of a community organiser, except that you have actual responsibilities."

"The American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery. This world of threats and dangers, its not just a community and it doesnt just need an organiser", Palin said in an obvious reference to Obama.

Source : DNA