US - Just one day before her debate, Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin is facing growing criticism from within her own party.

Some want her set free from the constraints of the McCain Campaign others just want her cut loose.

Brian Todd has more.

Determined to counter critics and comics alike... Sarah Palin defends her credentials. Appearing with John McCain in an interview with CBS-News, Palin says she's not only willing to take on the job as vice president, but:

"Ready with my executive experience as a city mayor and manager, as a governor, as a commissioner and a regulator of oil and gas."

A direct response to a question about criticism from some republicans... Syndicated Columnist Kathleen Parker even wrote that Palin should quit the ticket... Quote: "Quick study or not, she doesn't know enough about economics and foreign policy to make Americans comfortable with a President Palin should conditions warrant her promotion." a McCain Campaign-Aide calls that "Nonsensical"... Says Palin knows those issues. And she's even going on the offensive with her Democratic counterpart.

I've been hearing about his senate speeches since I was in like the second grade. You made a funny comment you said you'd been listening to Joe Biden's speeches since you were in the second grade. Since like 72 yeah You have a 72 year old running mate. Is that a kind of a risky thing to say? insinuating that Joe Biden has been around for a while. Oh no it's nothing negative, we're just stating a fact that he's been around for all these years.

But other conservatives say the problem's been in the handling of Palin-- not allowing her to play to her strengths.

"I guess the one thing that I would have done slightly differently if I had been the campaign would have been-- clearly as a governor of Alaska, your focus is energy. Taking her and making her issue energy I think would have been more helpful to her."

A McCain Campaign Official didn't respond directly to criticism of her handling so far but did say we'll see a lot more of 'Palin being Palin' after the debate... On radio, and other venues where she can connect directly with voters. The party faithful who defend Palin say those who criticize her are in a small minority.

"The criticism you're hearing is from conservative intellectuals who historically have been at cross-purposes with many in the mainstream Republican party."

We checked with g-o-p chairs in three states that could be tightly-contested... Colorado, Michigan and Iowa.. and asked if these network interviews created any backlash toward Palin among rank-and-file Republican voters. Those party-chairs said it's been the opposite... That Palin remains hugely popular, they want her to be more aggressive... But they, like so many others-- are looking to see how she does on Thursday. Palin Conservatives