Palin talks economic worries in Appalachian Ohio
By PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press, Oct. 12
ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — Sarah Palin told voters in southeastern Ohio on Sunday that she and running mate John McCain would bring jobs back to this economically depressed piece of Appalachia. Using her folksy appeal, Palin highlighted her record as mayor of a city about the size of this small one near the West Virginia border.
She said Democratic rival Barack Obama doesn't understand places like this. "I love 'Small Town USA' because hardworking, good American (families), you just get it," Palin said while standing on a stage with an open barn as her backdrop. "It's kind of like those simple lessons our parents used to teach us: Don't spend more than you have," Palin said. "It's that commonsense conservatism that is John McCain. ... American just cannot afford another big spender in the White House."
McCain and his running mate have toned down their attacks on rival Barack Obama. Last Monday, Palin said Obama was "palling around with terrorists." On Friday, after voters at campaign rallies shouted "terrorist" and "off with his head" toward the stage, McCain called Obama "a decent, family man" whom the public shouldn't fear and cut off a woman who called him an Arab.
On Sunday, one man shouted out "Obama loves terrorists" as Palin talked about "the bad guys."
The character attacks, it appears, are now out of Palin's stump speech as the economy has become the issue on which this election will be decided. "All across America, I know that there's a lot of anger right now," Palin said. "There's anger about the insider dealing of lobbyists. And anger at the greed of Wall Street. And anger about the arrogance of the Washington elite."
"That's right. Throw them out," a voter shouted.
"We need serious reforms to change Washington. John McCain is going to turn your anger into action," Palin promised. She also noted her opponents' records on abortion rights, an issue key to social conservatives who initially were lukewarm toward McCain's campaign but have found enthusiasm after the pick of Palin. "I'm not being negative. But please check out his record," Palin said, referencing Obama's pro-abortion rights positions.
A man in the crowd shouted, "Killer!"
As McCain met with his economic team to consider new proposals, Palin emphasized the kitchen-table issues that dominate this small town, where farmers work the rolling hills and the streets are filled with shuttered small businesses. "The smell of the hay, the smell of the cut grass is just beautiful," Palin said, noting this town is about the same size as her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska.