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Palin says Obama infomercial short on specifics

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-31 10:58

ERIE, Pa. -- Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin said Thursday that Democrat Barack Obama offered few national security specifics in the infomercial he broadcast the night before, accusing him of trying to "soften the focus" in the campaign's final days.

US Republican vice-presidential nominee Alaska Governor Sarah Palin speaks at a campaign rally with US Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) in Hershey, Pennsylvania October 28, 2008. [Agencies]

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"In times of economic worry and hardship, crisis that we're in right now, someone is attempting to put those concerns aside on Election Day, national security issues," Palin told about 6,000 people at a convention center rally.

The Alaska governor said Obama had "wrapped his closing message in a warm and fuzzy scripted infomercial intended to soften the focus in these closing days. He's hoping that your mind won't wander to the real challenges of national security, challenges that he isn't capable of meeting."

She said Republican presidential candidate John McCain is ready for that challenge.

Obama spent about $4 million on a half-hour campaign commercial broadcast Wednesday night on several network and national cable stations.

Palin also said congressional Democrats want sharp cuts in military spending, but that now is not the time to do that.

"We're fighting two wars ... They think it's the perfect time to radically reduce defense spending. What are they thinking?" Palin said.

Palin received a smattering of boos when she said she was glad to be in the home state of the World Series-champion Philadelphia Phillies. Northwestern Pennsylvania baseball fans favor the Cleveland Indians or Pittsburgh Pirates.

But a Phillies reference later in Williamsport in central Pennsylvania got a better reception. Palin spoke at Bowman Field, home of the Phillies' minor-league affiliate, the Williamsport Crosscutters.

"I'm sure you're all pretty doggone proud of the world champion Phillies," she exclaimed to the delight of the crowd that filled the 4,200-seat facility. Thousands more surrounded the stage set up in the middle of the infield.

And in criticizing Obama's leadership credentials, Palin also took aim at his nomination acceptance speech at Invesco Field in Denver, which drew more than 80,000 people.

"The rousing speeches of our opponent can fill a stadium, but cannot make this country safe," said Palin, bundled up in a full-length coat and scarf as temperatures dipped into the 40s.

Earlier in Erie, former Gov. Tom Ridge introduced Palin but mostly spoke of McCain, calling his fellow Vietnam veteran a man of "great integrity and great character, two absolute necessities and character that we need in the president of the United States."

"Security and prosperity go hand in hand" and McCain and Palin would deliver, Ridge said.

Ridge recently told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the presidential race in his state would have been different if McCain had chosen him as a running mate. Most polls show Obama leading McCain in Pennsylvania, which has 21 electoral votes.

"I think we'd be foolish not to admit it publicly," Ridge said, although he added that McCain had made a bold choice by selecting Palin.