ERIE — Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin promises she and presidential candidate John McCain will balance the federal budget during their first term, lower income taxes and bring tax relief to every American and business.

Palin told Pennsylvania voters Thursday they can hold McCain and herself accountable because they will keep their promises. Palin rallied, with husband, Todd, and daughter, Piper, before thousands of supporters at the Bayfront Convention Center.

“It’s good to be here with all you hard-working, patriotic Americans,” she said. “Are you ready to send us to Washington to shake things up?”

Palin told the crowd they need to vote for a president who can handle the economy and the dangers of the world at the same time. Referring to opponent Barack Obama’s prime-time television spot Wednesday night as a “scripted infomercial,” Palin said he is hoping voters’ minds won’t wander to the challenges of national security; challenges he’s not capable of meeting.

“Democrats plan to reduce defense spending,” she said. “We are fighting two wars. Now is not the time to radically reduce defense spending.”

Palin said McCain has always put his country first and he has fought for his country. He understands the costs of war because he has paid those costs himself.

“Rousing speeches can be good for stadiums, but they cannot keep our country safe,” she said. “We haven’t just been talking the talk, John McCain and I have both walked the walk.”

Palin said the country needs someone tough as president; someone with experience and courage and someone of character with a bold plan. She said McCain has the wisdom and experience to get the economy back on track.

Palin and McCain’s economic plan will help families keep their homes. It will help retirees keep their savings and make healthcare affordable to everyone. The plan will also make college more affordable to students, she said.

Palin said raising taxes is not the way to grow the economy.

“Obama has an ideological commitment to increase taxes,” she said. “He voted 94 times for higher taxes.”

Palin said Obama is for a bigger government with higher taxes which is not in the best interest of the country.

“John McCain and I are for a real tax cut, which is where the government takes less of your earnings to begin with,” she said. “You shouldn’t be working for your government, your government should be working for you.”

Palin said she and McCain will implement the use of alternative energy for the sake of the nation’s security and economic prosperity. McCain and Palin are promising energy independence, government reform and assistance to families with special needs children, she said.