Palin's New Role: Traditional Running Mate

"Our opponents' agenda -- higher taxes and bigger government and activist courts and retreat in war -- that's not the right track for America, that's another dead end," she said in Greenville, N.C., on Tuesday.

Palin's schedule is also packed with fundraisers in front of supporters. Instead of holding any public events Friday, she spent the day at fundraisers in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. She will attend several fundraising events next week as well.

"These are the kinds of things that vice presidential candidates do," said Rich Galen, a top adviser to former senator Fred D. Thompson (R-Tenn.) during his presidential run. "They realized they could maximize her by not having her spend time with McCain."

Amid the initial enthusiasm and curiosity about Palin, McCain advisers said the pair would often appear together. But with McCain's poll numbers falling in many swing states, Palin's solo travels allow the campaign to reach more voters in more places.

The governor draws crowds packed with women who bring their daughters. Much of the enthusiasm is directed at her, rather than McCain, with signs that say things such as "Sarah Is Our Future" and "Read My Lipstick."

Conversely, the crowds at Biden's rallies focus on Obama, with chants such as "Yes, we can," Obama's familiar catchphrase. At Palin events, it's "Sarah, Sarah," leaving it to the Alaska governor to praise McCain.

"Voters are flocking by the thousands to hear her," Schmitt said.

Jennifer M. Palmieri, communications director at the liberal Center for American Progress, said Palin is unlikely to win many independents or former Clinton backers, but doubts that is the campaign's goal at this point.

She "has settled into the role she has always been best suited to play: hero of the conservative base," Palmieri said.