Presumptive nominee John McCain joined running mate Sarah Palin onstage after her speech: Don’t you think we made the right choice for the next vice president of the United States?” he said to cheers. “And what a beautiful family.” (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
McCain hugs his running mate Palin after her speech. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
McCain bends down to talk to Palin’s youngest daughter, Piper, after the Palin family joined the Republican ticket onstage. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Palin’s husband, Todd, joined her onstage, along with their daughter Piper and their baby, Trig. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Palin’s family joins her and McCain onstage after her speech: son Track; daughter Bristol; Bristol’s fiance, Levi Johnston; daughters Willow and Piper; and husband Todd with baby Trig. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Palin pulled no punches during her speech, taking several swipes at Democratic nominee Barack Obama: “I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Delegates cheered enthusiastically during Palin’s speech. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Palin blows a kiss to her family during her speech. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Palin drew an enthusiastic response with her speech. What’s the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? she asked the crowd. Lipstick. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Palin’s daughter, Bristol, 17, was in the audience with her fiance, Levi Johnston. (Paul Sancya / Associated Press)
Palin introduced her family from the stage, including her husband, Todd, and their baby Trig, born in April with Down’s syndrome. (Paul Sancya / Associated Press)
A protester, reportedly with the antiwar group Code Pink, shortly before being removed by security guards during Palin’s speech. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Radio producer James Grisham takes a nap at the Republican National Convention. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani spoke before Palin. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissenger, left, speaks with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at the Xcel Center. (Craig Lassig / EPA)
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee spoke, as did Romney and Giuliani; McCain’s former rivals for the Republican nomination all endorsed the Arizona senator. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)
Phelps Anderson of Roswell, N.M., cheers with the rest of his state delegation. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Former Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole makes an appearance at the Xcel Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A woman sits in the delegate section, ready for the action to begin. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
John Weis, 28, of Minneapolis is seen through glass that reflects a projection of the flag. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A bird’s-eye view of the proceedings. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Steve Kuhn uses fellow Tennessee delegate Jerry Bowen to balance his camera. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Augustus Shaw, a delegate from Phoenix, places his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), center, greets a young delegate. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A fan of the GOP vice presidential nominee. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
John Rich of the band Big & Rich rehearses for his scheduled Wednesday night performance. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
McCain visits volunteers at the delegates’ hurricane relief activity center. (Stephan Savoia / Associated Press)
Presumptive nominee John McCain greets Bristol Palin, daughter of his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin; and Levi Johnston, Bristol’s fiance, who had just arrived in St. Paul. The convention’s third day was under way Wednesday. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press)
