OMAHA, Neb. (AP) _ Sarah Palin says she didn't come to Nebraska because the Republican presidential ticket she's part of is scared. She says some ``pundits'' have suggested her visit to Omaha denotes fear of Democrat Barack Obama's campaign in Nebraska's 2nd District. Obama is trying to shave off one electoral vote from the state, which is one of just two that splits them.

Palin says she asked to come to the ``heartland of America,'' and her comments about values and the middle class drew huge cheers from the crowd of thousands. She said voting in Obama would bring higher taxes, bigger government, activist judges and retreat in war. A Democrat hasn't won any of the state's electoral votes since 1964.