Click here for photos from the event.

Palin's rally was moved from the Salem Civic Center to the much larger Salem Stadium because of the number of estimated attendees. Joking that the weather reminded her of her home state of Alaska, the Republican vice presidential candidate delivered a half hour speech to cap the rally. It was her third campaign event of the day.

Bob Goodlatte, Virgil Goode, Jim Gilmore and Jerry Kilgore spoke to the crowd in the beginning, but "Greg the Mechanic," a small business owner from Blacksburg, introduced Palin.

Palin defended the recent campaign tactics she and her presidential running mate Sen. John McCain have been using.

"It is not negative campaigning, it is in fairness to you, to the voters, so we're going to call him out," Palin said. "Senator Obama, he changes daily on the details, kind of flip-flopping around."

She noted that he has cast 94 votes for higher taxes. Palin said Joe the Plumber got a straightforward explanation of tax policy out of Democratic nominee Barack Obama, and went on to give her own view of it.

"Somehow, Joe succeeded where the rest of the media has failed," Palin said. "Obama calls this 'spreading the wealth.' Joe Biden calls higher taxes patriotic. Joe the Plumber -- he said to him it sounded like socialism. Now is not the time to experiment with that."

The crowd interrupted with a chant of "U-S-A." Palin noticed the enthusiasm.

"It doesn't sound to me like many of you are supporting 'Barack the Wealthspreader,'" Palin said. "That's because you understand that his plan ultimately punishes hard work. Our opponent's plan is just for more, bigger government. That is the problem, not the solution."

Jennifer Watt of Salem said she was undecided a short time ago. She attended an Obama rally, as well as Monday's Palin rally in order to make up her mind. She said Palin's support of small businesses helped to win her over.

"I really am a big believer in small businesses. I believe that is the cornerstone of who we are," Watt said.

Another major reason she has decided to vote for the McCain-Palin ticket centered on charity giving of Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden.

"Joe Biden has given $3,700 to charity over nine years," Watt said. "My husband and I combined don't make what he makes in one year, and in one year we doubled that. We don't even make $120,000 and we gave $7,000 last year."

Attendees were encouraged to wear red to support maintaining Republican control in the state. Virginia has not voted for a Democratic Presidential candidate since Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1964.

Republican senate candidate Jim Gilmore told the crowd to keep fighting.

"Don't let anybody tell you this ballgame is over," Gilmore said.

Palin's husband, Todd, was introduced as a member of the United Steelworkers, and a group of local members was on hand supporting Palin.

This is in spite of the national union's endorsement of Obama.

Local members of the  Communication Workers of America campaigned for Obama on a road outside the rally.

Chuck Simpson, president of the local CWA chapter, said his union favors Obama.

"We are in favor of the labor-friendly candidate who we think will put our country back on the right track," Simpson said.

The group inspired much enthusiasm, even outside of the venue. Cars consistently stopped or honked to give their point of view for both sides. The area was overrun with political activity.

Intense support for candidates was apparent inside the stadium also. Dick Johnson, a Roanoke minister, voiced opposition to Obama on the basis of his association with Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

"I gave nine years of my life for my country, and I won't vote for that man," Johnson said. "If he was a Christian, he would drop that Muslim name."

Those attending the rally braved temperatures that dropped to 44 degrees by the end of the night.

Multiple local musicians entertained the crowd prior to Palin's arrival. One even dedicated a song to the Alaskan governor: Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman." She entered and exited to Dolly Parton's "Nine to Five."

• Column: Terry McAuliffe brings energy to Virginia race
• Beantown charm makes its way to New River Valley
• Letter: Our foreign policy affects rest of the world