In must-win Ohio, Palin slams Dems' tax plan

CANTON, Ohio -- Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin spent Sunday traipsing across the must-win state of Ohio, telling voters that only the Republican ticket would keep taxes under control and grow the economy.

Palin, embarking on the final stretch of this marathon campaign, told Ohio voters that she and John McCain are committed to cutting taxes, a key subject in a state that has seen an average of 61 jobs lost each day during President Bush's two terms.

Palin told a crowd of more than 3,000 in Canton that Democratic rival Barack Obama had revised his income threshold for a tax cut from $250,000 to $120,000: "He chose the side of bigger government and taking more from you."

At the same time, Obama has proposed $1 trillion in additional federal spending without specifying where the money would come from, Palin said.

"Do the math or just go with your gut," she said. "Either way, you can draw the same conclusion: Barack Obama, based on his record, is for bigger government and raising taxes."

Obama's tax plan calls for no tax increases for working families making less than $250,000 a year or for individuals making less than $200,000 annually. He also pledges to seek a tax cut for the middle class.

Polls have shown Obama with a slight lead or running neck and neck with McCain in Ohio, which has 20 electoral votes. An Associated Press-GfK survey released last week shows nine in 10 Ohioans fear for the economy.

Palin planned appearances at a central Ohio regional airport and fairgrounds in the Cincinnati area. She is scheduled to go to the traditionally Democratic Cleveland area today, along with stops in Missouri, Iowa, Colorado and Nevada before heading home to Alaska, where she'll vote.

Judy Viator, 65, a Republican and McCain volunteer from Smithville in traditionally GOP Wayne County, said she's concerned about Obama's proposals. "I just disagree with all of his policies," she said.