A host of big-named Republicans graced the stage Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention in support of the John McCain-Sarah Palin ticket and to defend the vice presidential candidate.

Palin has more experience in running a government than the Democratic ticket combined, said former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

“In choosing Gov. Sarah Palin for his running mate, Sen. McCain has chosen for the future,” he said.

As the Alaska governor, Palin reduced taxes, reduced government spending, encouraged energy exploration and been one of the most active governors in the country, according to Giuliani.

She took on corruption even in the Republican party, he said.

“This is a woman who has no fear,” Giuliani said. “This is a woman who stands up for what’s right.”

The former New York mayor scolded the media for questioning if Palin has enough time to spend with her kids and become vice president.

“When do they ever ask a man that question?” he said.

Calling McCain a maverick, Giuliani said, “with him and Sarah Palin, can you imagine how they’re going to shake up Washington?”

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle shared Palin’s personal story with Republican delegates from across the country.

“Sarah is a person with proven leadership skills and strong moral character,” she said.

Palin, according to Lingle, is genuine, authentic, comfortable in her own skin and not trying to reinvent herself during the campaign. She has integrity, strong values, intelligence, toughness and grace.

“Put simply, Sarah is a leader and a winner,” Lingle said, adding serving as mayor and governor are good preparations for higher office.

Palin has broad appeal within the Republican party, according to the Hawaiian governor, because she is a strong social conservative, adherent to her principals and a fiscal “hawk.” She appeals to independents, young people and women.

“Sen. McCain decided to look north to the future — which is Alaska’s motto — to find a truly transformative leader,” she said. “This choice is bold, historic and courageous.

“When the rest of America gets to know her, they would agree with me as you agree with me that Sarah Palin is going to be a great vice president.”

Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, said he’s tired of hearing about Palin’s inexperience, noting that she got more votes for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, than Sen. Joe Biden got for president.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said McCain and Palin will keep America as it has always been, the hope of the earth. For decades, he said, Washington’s sun has been rising in the east, looking to eastern elites.

“If America really wants to change, it has to look for the sun in the west because it’s about to shine from Arizona and Alaska,” Romney said.

While Palin is spurring questions about McCain’s choice as a running mate, her colleagues are stepping up to support her and McCain on their quest for the White House.