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Palin Draws Crowd At New Port Richey Rally

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By BILLY HOUSE

bhouse@tampatrib.com

Published: November 1, 2008

Updated: 11/01/2008 04:55 pm

NEW PORT RICHEY - Sarah Palin returned to the Tampa Bay area today, warning that Barack Obama is trying to "exploit" retirees' fears about what the GOP presidential ticket would do to Medicare and Social Security.

In the first of two stops during the day in the Bay area, the Republican vice presidential candidate urged older voters – a key Florida voting bloc – not to fall for "the oldest and cheapest kind of politics around."

"Barack Obama goes around promising a new kind of politics, but then he comes here to Florida and tries to exploit the fears and worries about Social Security and Medicare to our retirees," Palin said.

But Palin promised that Republican presidential candidate John McCain would "keep faith" with older Americans and protect Social Security and that, "we will not cut a single Medicare benefit."

Later, Palin reminded supporters that "the time for choosin' is near," with three days to go before Election Day.

"Florida, we need you. We're asking for your vote," Palin said.

The Obama campaign wasted little time in responding, releasing a list of published past remarks by McCain, some dating years, in support for President Bush's privatization plan to allow workers to invest their Social Security taxes in the stock market.

Democrats have questioned that support, in light of the stock market collapse. Republicans have noted that the collapse would not have had an impact on seniors now already collecting Social Security.

"The fact is that John McCain's support for George Bush's scheme to gamble the retirement of our workers in the stock market is a bridge to nowhere for millions of Americans who count on a secure retirement," said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor.

Factcheck.org, a nonpartisan project of the University of Pennsylvania Public Policy Center, says there is no basis for Obama to accuse McCain of planning huge Medicare benefit cuts.

Palin's 9 a.m. event at New Port Richey's Sims Park drew an estimated 5,500 people, hundreds of whom began to gather before dawn for a good spot to see the Alaska governor.

She was accompanied by Gov. Charlie Crist, who did not address the crowd.

Palin later appeared later in Polk City, making similar remarks.

The day's events marked her second visit to the Tampa Bay area in less than a week, following her appearance Sunday in Tampa.

On Monday, Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, held a rally in New Port Richey, in the same park.

Biden drew fewer people – an estimated 3,450 – in this traditional Republican stronghold than did Palin. But he came away with the endorsement of New Port Richey's independent mayor, Scott McPherson.

The Palin appearance in the state during the campaign's final days reflects Florida's importance in the election.

And speaking to the crowd before Palin's arrival, state Sen. Mike Fasano sought to underscore the importance of Pasco County in the voting, though with some hyperbole.

"As Pasco goes, so does the state. As the state goes, so goes the election. As the election goes, so goes the world," Fasano said.

Palin's performance as a candidate, however, has been criticized by some in the media, and even by some within her own party. Still, there also has been speculation that she may be already angling for a run for the White House of her own in 2012, if she and McCain lose on Tuesday.

Betty McMillen, 74, of Port Richey, was among the Palin enthusiasts who arrived before dawn for today's event.

"With a little more experience and some training, she'll make a great president in four years," McMillen said.

Four years? Does McMillen think the Republican ticket is not going to win Tuesday?

"No, not that," her friend, Maria Massey, 57, of Hudson, interrupted. What McMillen meant, said Massey, was that McCain, now 72, likely won't choose to serve more than four years in the White House.

But later, McMillen pulled a reporter aside to explain that, in fact, she'd prefer Palin over McCain, and hopes that the Alaska governor becomes the party's presidential candidate in four years, regardless of what happens Tuesday.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at 202 541-5080.

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