BANGOR – Peppering her speech with now-trademark folksiness and fresh criticisms of Barack Obama, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin tried to convince Maine voters that she and John McCain have what it takes to lead America out of tough economic times.

Palin, speaking Thursday morning to an estimated crowd of 5,000 people inside a hangar at Bangor International Airport, also seized on perhaps McCain’s best moment from Wednesday’s third and final presidential debate.

“Our opponents sure do like to talk about the past and point fingers backwards,” Palin said, referring to Obama’s repeated attempts to link McCain to President Bush. “They look to the past because they’d rather run against the current administration, it sounds like. That strategy though, thankfully, is really starting to wear very, very thin. As John McCain reminded Barack Obama last night, if he wanted to run against George Bush, he had his chance four years ago.”

The Alaska governor’s brief visit to Bangor came during the same week in which her husband also made a pair of stops in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.

While some national and state polls have Obama ahead considerably, McCain’s campaign sees a close race and is focusing on any electoral votes it can get. Since Maine splits its four electoral votes and the 2nd District is more conservative-leaning, Republicans are hoping to put at least one of the state’s votes in play.

Palin’s 30-minute speech, billed as a “Road to Victory” rally, certainly catered not only to conservatives, but Maine conservatives, whom she likened to those from her home state of Alaska.

“I feel like I’m at home because I see the Carhartts and the steel-toed boots,” she said to a crowd waving a mix of McCain-Palin signs and tiny American flags. “And I see, mixed in there with the suits and ties, the NRA hats and all those good things that remind me of home.”

Responding to Palin’s Maine visit, Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud said it’s important to remember that while Alaska’s governor has what it takes to rally the Republican base, she’s not the one running for president.

“The people of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, which I represent, have been devastated by the disastrous Bush economic policies that John McCain has promised to continue,” Michaud said.

Speaking alongside the congressman after the rally, Hillary Roberts, a recent University of Maine graduate and community organizer in the Bangor area, said she doesn’t think voters in the state’s 2nd Congressional District will be fooled.

“I come from Piscataquis County and we love hunting and fishing and snowmobiling, too,” Roberts said, referring to Todd and Sarah Palin’s perceived down-to-earth appeal. “The Palins might share lifestyle issues, but Mainers are not going to vote for someone based on a profile.”

Palin stuck to many of the same talking points – namely tax policies and military service – used by McCain in Wednesday night’s debate. She also referenced the unbeknownst star of the debate, “Joe the Plumber.”

“We want to cut taxes because we think like Joe or Jane the plumber thinks,” she said. “Our opponents want to raise taxes because they think like that other Joe, that six-term senator [Biden].”

She took a brief stab at Obama for his alleged ties to ACORN, a community organization that is facing multiple investigations for fraud over its voter registration efforts.

“In this election, [the choice is between] a candidate who won’t disavow a group committing voter fraud and a leader who will not tolerate the voter fraud,” she said.

At one point, Palin appeared to question Obama’s patriotism, but again she didn’t press the matter.

“Our opponent gives speech after speech about the wars America is fighting in; it sure would be nice if just once Barack Obama would say that he wants America to win,” she said.

While Palin did call out Obama and Biden on tax policies and other issues, her attacks were noticeably toned down from last month, when she regularly accused the Illinois senator of “palling around with terrorists.”

Shortly after the debate, however, several Maine residents reported receiving automated calls from the Republican National Committee linking Obama to former Weather Underground member William Ayers.

Judging by reactions and applause inside the hangar on Thursday, Palin was in friendly company at BIA.

The students from Calvary Chapel School in Orrington were practically cheerleaders for the Republican ticket. With letters on their shirts that spelled out “Sarah Palin” from the front and “John McCain” from the back, they were happy to jump into their alphabetical routine at any flicker of interest – or flash of a bulb.

“It’s school spirit week,” said student Tom Toth. “Now it’s like McCain spirit day.”

Sandy Reynolds, 63, drove up from Portland early Thursday morning to hear Palin speak.

“I had seen some of the debates, but I really wanted to see her in person,” Reynolds said. “I thought she did awesome. She was really inspiring.”

Jamie Stuckey, a 19-year-old University of Maine student, skipped two classes, including a public speaking session, to attend the rally.

“It was worth it,” she said. “I really like that she addressed funding for schools and education. That’s something that’s important to me.”

For Nathan Hale, 12, of Medway, the event had the flavor of a family reunion.

The red-headed boy with the name of an American Revolution hero carried a sign that read “Cousin Sarah” and a piece of paper with his family tree sketched out as far back as the Pilgrims.

“My 12th great-grandfather is Richard Warren, who came over on the Mayflower,” he said. “He’s Sarah’s great-grandfather, too. We’re 12th cousins.”

Galen Hale, Nathan’s father, said that even without the family connection, the two would have come to see Palin.

“John McCain and Sarah Palin best reflect my values in life, hard work and just rewards,” he said. “She’s got hundreds of relatives in the Abbot area and in the Medway area, too. And she’s huntin’ moose and riding snowsleds. Same interests. Just different parts of the country.”

Not everyone was sold on the Alaska governor, though.

“She didn’t say anything specific,” said Jill Heitzel, 42, of Searsport, a registered independent. “People like her because she is plain-spoken, but when did that become such a positive attribute?”

Following her 30-minute speech Palin stayed inside the hangar for another half-hour shaking hands and signing autographs. By 11:45 a.m., not quite 90 minutes after she arrived, Palin boarded her campaign plane and was gone.

BDN writer Abigail Curtis contributed to this report.

eussell@bangordailynews.net

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BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KEVIN BENNETT

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin greets supporters and signs autographs as she prepares to leave Hangar 11 after a morning campaign rally with 5,000 people Tuesday morning at Bangor International Airport.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY BRIDGET BROWN

Andrew Vicnaire, 16, of Dedham talks to a friend while waiting with other students from Bangor Christian School as a crowd of about 5,000 snakes in front of Hangar 11 at Bangor International Airport to see Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin address supporters Tuesday morning.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KEVIN BENNETT

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin waves to the crowd as she steps onstage to address the 5,000 people who gathered Tuesday morning in Hangar 11 at Bangor International Airport.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY BRIDGET BROWN

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin waves goodbye to the 5,000 people who attended the campaign rally Tuesday morning in Hangar 11 at Bangor International Airport.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY BRIDGET BROWN

Some of the 5,000 people stand to cheer Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin during a campaign rally Tuesday morning in Hangar 11 at Bangor International Airport.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KEVIN BENNETT

Kathleen Brown of Orono stands alone near Hangar 11 at Bangor International Airport, holding a sign protesting the McCain-Palin ticket as people line up to see the Republican governor of Alaska on Thursday morning.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KEVIN BENNETT

A supporter of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin raises a crutch with a McCain-Palin sign and an American flag attached to it during a campaign rally in Hangar 11 at Bangor International Airport on Thursday morning.