For months, the watchword of Sen. John McCain's campaign had been "experience," publicly pounding home the Republican message that McCain has plenty and Sen. Barack Obama has practically none.

That changed abruptly when McCain announced his vice presidential choice -- the first-term governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin.

Also apparently changed was the Republican definition of experience. Of the more than 30 delegates and alternates interviewed for this story at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, only one believed that the Palin nomination has removed "experience" as a Republican ticket advantage.

Linda Turzai, a delegate from Pennsylvania, said that the experience card is "a wash for Obama" now, given the running mate pick. She said Palin brings "novel experience" to the ticket that complements the vast military and legislative skills of McCain.

But when asked for their definition of the "right" experience for presidential and vice presidential candidates, everyone else jumped to a defense of Palin's credentials even though she was not mentioned in the question.

Tobin Brinker, representing California, explained: "Sarah Palin has local experience. ... It's important to understand local communities."

Tami Wilson of Kentucky defined the need "to understand the average person's experience yet how to work with both sides of the aisle" and that Palin "has broad experience as a mother ... and can relate to my experiences" as a mother. She added that she felt Obama, "who attended Harvard," led a different life than "the average person."

Ed Setzler, alternate and a state representative from Georgia, said an experienced candidate was "someone who is competent in running a state, or a Navy unit and ... who represents the same values ... people who are connected to what others care about."

Setzler said that many middle-class Americans feel the Obamas "do not represent our values, do not think like we do ... that Barack Obama would not be a person who really represents them."

Several people agreed with the sentiments of Anne Burkert of Washington state that their candidate needs "some executive experience and a history of really good judgment." Burkert felt Hillary Clinton had such qualities but that "Barack Obama has no history at all."

As for Sen. Joe Biden, she chuckled, "I don't think anyone that liberal has good judgment."

Michael Murry, a 26-year-old delegate from Ohio, said experience means "someone with knowledge of challenges, like those faced by Sen. McCain in the military and the Senate and Gov. Palin on energy." He felt age should not be a factor.

The ability Shirly Ward of Texas is looking for includes the "ability to make snap decisions, to do what's right, to stand up to others." She pointed to McCain's history of "standing up to the president and his party" and Palin, who "took on the Republicans and corporate corruption" in Alaska.

Violet Anne Golden, representing the U.S. Virgin Islands, downplayed experience altogether, harking back to the "framers of the Constitution, who believed the common man should run the country." She said both parties' candidates meet this criteria and thinks Election 2008 will be a close race.