Running mates make their final pitches to voters in swing states

Biden and Palin talk jobs, tax cuts, defense spending

Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, spoke at a rally in Lee's Summit, Mo., on the eve of the general election. His Republican counterpart, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska, addressed a rally in Dubuque, Iowa. (Orlin Wagner/ Associated Press)

The running mates crisscrossed the country yesterday, making last-minute pleas for voters in swing states to expand their tickets' reach on election eve.

In Lee's Summit, Mo., Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden vowed that he and Barack Obama would "reestablish the middle class" by focusing on job creation and helping homeowners facing foreclosure.

"For too many families who are working hard, playing by the rules . . . people can see it slipping from their grasp," Biden told a crowd of about 1,500 at the Longview Community College Recreation Center south of Kansas City. "We are on the cusp of a new brand of leadership."

Biden also jabbed Republican John McCain, saying there was "literally not one fundamental economic difference between John McCain and George Bush," and later repeated a sarcastic barb about the Republican ticket of McCain and running mate Sarah Palin.

"Hey, maverick. Hey, maverick," Biden said to roars of laughter. "I mean, give me a break. I don't think they're mavericks. I think they're sidekicks."

Biden also planned events yesterday in Zanesville and Copley, Ohio, before finishing up in Philadelphia.

In Lakewood, Ohio, the Republican vice presidential candidate sounded an optimistic note, despite the polls.

"This is the right place to be for us to kick off this final day of campaigning," Palin told a boisterous crowd. "You can just feel it here in Ohio. Victory is coming."

Palin concentrated on economic issues, calling Obama's tax plan "phony" and questioning whether he would confine tax increases to the higher-income levels as he has promised as a way to finance a middle-class tax cut.

"Now is not the time to experiment with socialism," she said. "Our opponent's plan is just for bigger government."

Palin emphasized the GOP ticket's small-government approach and promised that McCain would balance the budget in four years and lower taxes for every American and business.

Later, in Jefferson City, Mo., Palin repeated her accusation that Democrats want to slash defense spending, then mused aloud, "So what do they think? Do they think that terrorists have all of a sudden become the good guys? And changed their minds? No, the terrorists still seek to destroy America and her allies and all that it is that we stand for: freedom, tolerance, equality. The terrorists have not changed their minds."

Palin also planned events yesterday in Dubuque, Iowa, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Reno and Elko, Nev., before returning home to Anchorage to vote.