Palin takes swipe at Obama in big speech

ST. PAUL (Reuters) - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin took a swipe at Democrat Barack Obama's level of experience on Wednesday and hit back at criticism of her in the U.S. media.

In excerpts of a highly anticipated speech she was to give to the Republican National Convention, Palin referred to criticism from Obama's campaign that she lacked experience to serve a heartbeat away from the president.

Obama began his political career as a community organizer in Chicago, while Palin was mayor of small-town Wasilla, Alaska, before she became Alaska governor two years ago.

"And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities," she said in the excerpts.

Palin also rejected U.S. media criticism that has focused on various aspects of her background in the days since she was selected by Republican John McCain as his No. 2.

She said she's "not a member in good standing of the Washington elite."

"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.

(Reporting by Steve Holland, Editing by Howard Goller)