Obama gives nod to rival McCain

PHILADELPHIA — Democrat Barack Obama made a slight nod to his Republican rival Saturday.

Even as he criticized John McCain's economic policies, Obama acknowledged his foe had asked his supporters to temper their attacks on him. "I appreciated his reminder that we can disagree while still being respectful of each other," Obama told thousands of supporters at the first of four outdoor rallies in Philadelphia.

"Sen. McCain has served this country with honor," he said two hours later, in the city's Germantown neighborhood. "He deserves our thanks for that."

At a town-hall event Friday in Minnesota, McCain took the microphone from a woman who called Obama an Arab, saying "No, ma'am," and called Obama "a decent, family man."

For the most part Saturday, Obama talked about the economy, blaming the Republicans for the current crisis and laying out his plans to cut taxes for families making less than $250,000 a year and to invest $15 billion a year in renewable energy.

"I don't quote Ronald Reagan that often, but are you better off than you were four years ago?" Obama asked. "Are you better off than you were four weeks ago? We've had enough, and it's time for a change."

Palin attacks Obama on abortion

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin attacked Barack Obama on abortion on Saturday, saying the Democratic presidential candidate has "left behind even the middle ground on the issue of life."

Palin said she and GOP presidential candidate John McCain would be "defenders of the culture of life." She opposes abortion in all cases, except where the pregnancy threatens the woman's life.

Alaska's governor also touched upon common campaign themes during her speech to about 5,000 supporters in Johnstown, but she focused on children with special needs and then abortion. Palin, whose infant son, Trig, has Down syndrome, said she and McCain would make protecting such children a priority. "Every child has something to contribute ... if we give them that chance," she said.

"Hockey mom" drops first puck

PHILADELPHIA — To a mixture of boos and cheers, Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin dropped the ceremonial first puck Saturday night at the Philadelphia Flyers' home opener against the New York Rangers.

The Alaska governor and self-described "hockey mom" went to center ice with Mike Richards of the Flyers and Scott Gomez — from Alaska — of the Rangers, waved to the crowd and dropped the puck.

Seattle Times news services