Carly Fiorina

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina at the Republican National Convention: Getty Images PhotoST. PAUL, Minn. - Carly Fiorina drew a picture of what the United States would look like at the end of a theoretical first term for U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) as president, in keeping with a thread flowing through the night of a Republican ticket promising better economic times.

Fiorina, former CEO of high-tech giant Hewlett-Packard, presented the choice before voters on Nov. 4 as a question to ask at a crossroads, and said that choosing the Democratic ticket of U.S. Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Joe Biden (D-Del.) was a path to less personal choice and more government bureaucracy.

By contrast, she said to attendees at the Republican National Convention, the McCain/Sarah Palin ticket suggests a love of country and desire to work with the other party.

Below is a transcript of remarks made by McCain advisor Carly Fiorina at the Republican National Convention Wednesday evening, as prepared for delivery.

State Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) is scheduled to address the Republican National Convention in St. Paul on Wednesday evening between 4 and 5 p.m. (PST), while Palo Alto resident and top advisor to U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) Carly Fiorina will speak between 5 and 6 p.m.

Presumptive vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) is scheduled to accept the vice presidential nomination and address the convention between 7 and 8 p.m.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - The California delegation to the Republican National Convention will hear from a full and varied slate of speakers Wednesday before two Republicans identified with the state are scheduled to speak to the full convention later in the day.

At the delegation's caucus breakfast, scheduled speakers include U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Delegation Chairman and former California Secretary of State Bill Jones, U.S. Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Guam Gov. Felix Camacho and Sidney McCain, daughter of presumptive Republican presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina reacted angrily Tuesday to Democratic criticism of new Republican vice presidential nominee, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

In a press release issued by the California Republican Party, Fiorina said Palin has more executive experience than Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and that she was appalled by attacks from the other party.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Events for the California delegation to this week's Republican National Convention are scheduled to go on as planned Sunday evening and Monday morning, but are subject to change as events surrounding Hurricane Gustav warrant.

A spokesman at the delegation's press office noted that with Monday's convention events at the Xcel Energy Center scaled back Sunday to just a brief meeting, the schedule of speakers and other events for succeeding days is also likely to change.

SAN FRANCISCO - With Sen. John McCain announcing his choice of first-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his runningmate Friday morning, two formidable Silicon Valley businesswomen were passed over, leaving Golden State Republicans once again in the role of serving as a giant checkbook and cheerleader for the GOP ticket as the fall campaign begins.

McCain's selection sends former eBay chairwoman Meg Whitman and former Hewlett-Packard chairwoman Carly Fiorina to the sidelines. Fiorina, however, will likely continue as one ticket's chief spokeswomen, a position she has held now for the past several months.

Insurance Commissioner Steve PoiznerThe Flash Report -- a well-read conservative news aggregator and opinion website -- has said that state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has retained the services of consulting group Meridian Pacific to help him launch a gubernatorial bid in 2010.

Site publisher Jon Fleischman said Thursday afternoon that Poizner will work with the Sacramento-based group on early work toward a run for governor, focusing on grassroots support and ground operations.

A campaign website for California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner distributed a commentary Monday noting that Poizner is well positioned to take the banner for the Republican Party in California after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is termed out of office in 2010.

"Given his story and ability to finance his own campaign, it's hardly surprising that many political insiders say the future of the California GOP lies in the hands of Poizner," writes Jaime Sneider, a writer for the Weekly Standard online, in the commentary.

Prominent California residents will play a large speaking role at the Republican National Convention in two weeks.

A schedule for the Sept. 1 through 4 event in St. Paul, Minn., shows Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger with a prime-time speech on the convention's first night, which has a theme of "Service."

Two well-known former CEOs of high-tech companies, Carly Fiorina of Hewlett-Packard and Meg Whitman of EBay, will speak on Sept. 3, when the theme is "Prosperity."