DES MOINES - GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on Saturday drew a sharp contrast between running mate John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama's tax plans, telling the crowd Obama is proposing "redistributing your hard-earned money."

During a rally in Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines Saturday afternoon, Palin argued the election will come down to a choice between Obama's plan to take taxpayer money and McCain, who she said will lower taxes, create jobs and put the economy back on track.

"It is the choice between a politician who puts his faith in government, and a leader, John McCain, who puts his faith in you," Palin said.

An enthusiastic crowd estimated by the campaign to be 10,000 chanted Palin's name and waved signs, some of which read "Read My Lipstick - No New Taxes" and "Iowa (heart) Mavericks." More people were unable to get into the venue when it reached capacity.

During the rally, Palin accused Obama of not being candid about his tax plans. She repeated the words of the plumber Obama met on the campaign trail who said his plan sounded like socialism.

"John McCain and I, we are for a real tax cut ? when government just takes less of your income in the first place," she said.

Former GOP Congressman Jim Leach, who is supporting Obama, said Obama is calling for deeper tax cuts to the middle class while McCain is calling for corporate tax cuts, including tax cuts for the petroleum industry.

"Obama is in essence calling for new American fairness," Leach said in a statement.

Palin appeared earlier in the day in Sioux City, and McCain was scheduled to hold a rally in Cedar Falls Sunday.

The pair's swing to the state coincided with the beginning of the campaign's get-out-the-vote program, which includes phone banks and knocking on doors in the final 10 days before the election.

Dennis Getz, a retired postman from Cedar Rapids traveled to Palin's rally in Des Moines, knowing it likely would be his last chance to see Palin before Election Day.

"From what I've seen of her she's very encouraging, gives you a lot of hope," Getz said.

Getz didn't know who Palin was when McCain's selected her as her running mate, but was won over after hearing her speeches. He's confident Palin will help out the ticket on Election Day.

"I don't think there's any doubt about it. Her personality and the things that she stands for are American as you can get, and we need that," Getz said.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said no other vice presidential candidate would turn out as many people and believes Palin's and McCain's trips to Iowa could help GOP candidates down the ticket as well.

"Not only is it going to be worth it for McCain and Palin, but it's also going to be worth it for legislative candidates and congressional candidates," Grassley said.

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, warmed up the crowd before Palin spoke and warned against trusting polls that might suggest Republicans are losing. He noted that a poll in the closing days of the 2004 election had George Bush down in Iowa, which he ended up carrying.

"That's the message we have to convey across Iowa ? Iowa is winnable," Brownback said.

Charlotte Eby can be reached at 515-243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.