Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin said Monday she would concentrate on energy, government reform and helping families with special-needs children if Republicans win the White House this fall, and drew cheers when she said, “too often government is the problem” rather than the solution.

McCain’s selection of Palin more than two weeks ago has brought renewed enthusiasm to his campaign, particularly among conservatives who have long been wary of him. Yet the governor, with little experience outside her own state, has largely been kept out of public view while aides seek to bring her up to date on a range of issues.

Meanwhile, Palin is unlikely to speak with an independent counsel hired by Alaska lawmakers to review the firing of her public safety commissioner, a spokesman for Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Monday.

Spokesman Ed O’Callaghan said he has not spoken with Palin, but she was “unlikely to cooperate” with the inquiry “as long as it remains tainted.”

Democrats charged that the McCain campaign was trying to stall the investigation.