HOUSTON -- It's being called the biggest speech of her political career. When Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin accepts the Republican Party's nomination for vice president Thursday night, she will have to convince voters that she is the right person for the job.

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That means reaching out to both loyal delegates at the national convention and skeptical voters in Houston who say they want to know more about the governor's personal family issues and her political views.

"I want to see how she's going to handle the problems she's got in her own family right now, and the problems of the United States," Karin Schulter told KPRC Local 2.

But the personal issues are not as important to Ruth Seeliger, who said, "I would really like to know that she could step in and serve for John McCain if she's elected. That's a question for all of us, whether you are a Republican or a Democrat."

Before last Friday, Palin was unfamiliar to most voters. Since then, her political views have been overshadowed by a personal family issue -- the pregnancy of her 17-year-old unmarried daughter.

She is also the target of an ethics investigation. Questions have been raised about whether Palin fired the safety commissioner of the state of Alaska because he refused to fire her former brother-in-law who was embroiled in a bitter custody battle with her sister.

At least one well-known Houston political consultant said he believes that Palin should avoid mentioning too many details about her family's personal issues, and instead define herself to the country.

"We've only known her for less than a week, and so she has to continue the process of introducing herself. Who is she? What does she believe? What has she accomplished, and what does she want to help John McCain accomplish?" said Jim McGrath, who was a speechwriter for former President George H.W. Bush.

McGrath said he would encourage Palin to be true to herself. He is confident that she is going to exceed expectations.

"Welcome to Washington. This is what you are going to be dealing with the next eight years," said McGrath. "Welcome to the big leagues. We're going to see if you can hit a major league fast ball tonight. I think she's going to do a great job."