Republican presidential nominee John McCain used a rally in Media, Pa. yesterday to discuss the economy and introduce the region to his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
While McCain has made several campaign appearances in the Philadelphia area, the rally, held on the steps of the Delaware County Courthouse, was Palin's first stop in the area since being tapped as McCain's vice-presidential pick in late August.
Palin, who has garnered a great deal of media attention in recent weeks and drew the loudest cheers at the rally, spoke of McCain's ability to implement changes and criticized his Democratic opponent, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, for being all talk and no action.
"Our opponent . likes to point the finger of blame, but has he ever lifted a finger to help?" she asked.
Palin also outlined her own priorities, which she said include government reform, energy independence and helping families with special-needs children.
Palin's youngest son, Trig, was born in April with Down syndrome.
Palin was accompanied by her husband, Todd, and her daughters Willow, 14, and Piper, 7.
After Palin's speech, McCain discussed the economic challenges facing the country.
"Times are tough, and I expect more tough economic news before the election," he said. "My commitment to the American people is to fix the Wall Street mess, reform Washington . and get this country back on track."
He criticized Obama's lack of a definitive plan to fix the economy, saying Obama has been "M.I.A."
"The truth is, we don't have time to wait for Sen. Obama's recovery from his paralysis in the face of this crisis," he said. "Congress must act, and act quickly."
McCain said that, if elected, he would increase government oversight and accountability in order to ensure that money is being spent responsibly.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, who was Al Gore's running mate on the Democratic ticket in 2000 but now supports McCain, also spoke at the rally, highlighting McCain's ability to work with Democrats to get things done.
Though Lieberman was widely considered to be on McCain's vice-presidential short list, he offered nothing but praise for Palin, saying she would be a "breath of fresh Alaska air" in Washington.
A large crowd of protesters gathered outside the event, yelling and chanting "Obama" throughout the rally.
The borough of Media is in Delaware County, a Philadelphia suburb. The suburbs are expected to be a highly contested area in Pennsylvania, one of the major swing states.
While support for Obama is strong within the city of Philadelphia, the suburbs will be a much tighter race.
The Penn College Republicans sent a group to volunteer at the event.
According to the organization's president, College junior Zac Byer, 20 Penn students volunteered at the rally, coordinating with 15 to 20 students from other area schools.
Byer said he enjoyed the event.
"It was exciting, it was energizing," he said. "I love the message, I think they're right on."
