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Palin Stays on the Offensive at Huge Va. Rally

By Juliet Eilperin
Posted at 3:37 PM ET on Oct 13, 2008

RICHMOND -- GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin continued attacking Democratic nominee Barack Obama before a crowd of roughly 20,000 outside the Richmond International Raceway, while also promising that she and John McCain would help revive the U.S. economy.

Suggesting that Obama would undermine a possible American victory in Iraq -- "Just once I would like to hear Barack Obama say he'd like America to win" -- Palin said the Democrat would jeopardize the economy further by raising taxes and expanding the federal government.

"America, we cannot just afford another big spender in the White House," Palin said before the enthusiastic audience. "Our country is facing tough times, and needs a tough man as president."

While McCain unveiled a new campaign speech today, Palin stuck largely to her traditional script this afternoon -- devoting nearly as much time to discussing the special needs of her son Trig, the need for expanded drilling and her plans to reform Washington as to McCain's economic plan.

Saying she planned to spend time focused on disabled children if elected this fall, Palin argued that all children deserved to be "in the circle of protection" even if they had disabilities.

"There's the world's standard of perfection, and then there are God's," Palin said, to cheers. "And these are the final measure, and every child is beautiful before God, and precious for their own sake."

The crowd was made up almost entirely of committed partisans: many attendees waited for hours in the blistering heat for Palin to arrive and chanted "No-bama!" and "We want FOX!" in the run-up to her speech.

The crowd was so large, in fact, that some supporters standing far back from the stage began chanting 'Louder, louder!' midway through Palin's speech after she had paid homage to military veterans in the crowd.

Palin, who assumed they were protesters, said in response to the chants, "I hope those protesters have the courage and honor to give veterans thanks for their right to protest."

Former Virginia attorney general Jerry Kilgore kicked off the rally with a prayer asking God "for your protection and guidance" as Republicans sought to put McCain and Palin in the White House.

"We are thankful for these leaders who are not afraid to stand up for their beliefs," intoned Kilgore, McCain's Virginia campaign co-chair. "We are thankful for John McCain and Sarah Palin, and feel that they are just the leaders we need in such a time as this."

But even the loyal Republicans gathered here said they hoped Palin and GOP presidential nominee John McCain would shift their campaign back to the question of the nation's economy.

Holly Baker, a 61-year old retired military nurse from Williamsburg, said she understood why McCain had focused on linking Obama to former Weather Underground member William Ayers but did not see it as helping sway undecided voters.

"What he's been saying about character is relevant, but people are more worried about the economy and the issues, where they're going to get their next cup of coffee, their next bag of groceries," Baker said. "In that respect, that's what he needs to focus on, the economy and what people care about."

Some GOP backers said they hoped the campaign wouldn't jettison the character attacks altogether, but would emphasize economic and national security issues in the remaining weeks before the election.

"I don't know that it's been effective in any way, shape or form, but I think it needs to be discussed, and discussed openly," said Ann Walsh, a 50-year old small business owner in Stanton who said she sees McCain as more credible than Obama. "I think Senator McCain needs to talk more about security and the economy. I think, for me, it would boost his campaign."

Kilgore sought to bolster the mood of the crowd by attacking the media, suggesting reporters were trying to distort the public's perception of the race.

"Now I'm not sure who answers all those national polls but if we took a poll today, it would be John McCain in a landslide," he said, prompting cheers from the audience.

"Now my friends, the liberal elite" -- a round of boos ensured -- "they want you to believe this race is over." After another chorus of boos, Kilgore said: "They want you to give up, they want you to stay home. Thank God you didn't listen. We are on the verge of a great victory, and victory starts right here in Virginia."

Hank Williams Jr. took up the same theme when he sang a tune of the "McCain-Palin tradition." He mocked the "left-wing media" for writing negative stories about Republicans but quickly added, "The American people don't believe them anyway, you see."

© 2008 The Washington Post Company (emphasis added) (. . .)

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/13/palin_stays_on_the_offensive_a.html [with comments]