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Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin touched on a range of issues including the struggling economy, energy independence and government reform in her 24-minute remarks at Elon during an unusually warm fall day Thursday.

"It's the choice between a politician who wants to raise your taxes and redistribute your hard-earned money according to his priorities," the vice presidential running mate of Republican John McCain said, prompting a chorus of boos. "And a true reformer who wants to lower taxes and create jobs and get this economy back on track."

The friendly crowd interrupted her several times during her speech with chants of "Sarah. Sarah. Sarah."

Later in her remarks, Palin said McCain will push for energy independence, prompting the crowd to chant "drill baby drill."

"You betcha," Palin said.

Her speech, however, was briefly interrupted after a protester was led away in handcuffs.

"You know what, maybe we need to tell security that maybe he need not go," she said. "Maybe he needs to stay and learn a little from all of you."

The crowd then cheered.

The higher than normal temperatures appeared to cause discomfort among several spectators, including a young woman who had to sit down and fan herself.

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Earlier Thursday, a large crowd gathered on campus.

Ruby Fallon of High Point said there's a special reason she came.

"I wanted to bring my daughters here to see history," said Fallon, 30. "This is going to be an amazing election, and I want them to be able to say that they were here when McCain and Palin changed this country."

Memorabilia including buttons that read "Hottest VP, coolest state" were also being sold.

Those who came to see Palin included Willa Scott, 48, of Jamestown. Scott, who is black, said people assume African Americans will vote for Obama.

"Black conservatives get forgotten about," Scott said. "Me and my husband are church people, and we're not going to vote for Obama just because he's black. He has to share our values."

That includes being against abortion, Scott said.

"There is only one choice in this election for people who want this country to stand for marriage and for unborn children - the values this country was built on," said West Jefferson resident Ron Goodchild, 35.

Becca Lawrence, 40, says she can identify with Palin and vice versa.

"She's a mother of a special needs child, and so am I," Lawrence said. "I think we've never had a woman at the highest levels of government who can identify with what mothers and families are going through in this country. Every woman wishes that this country understood them better."

Later Thursday, Palin is scheduled attend a private fundraiser at the home of Louis DeJoy and Aldona Wos in Greensboro.

Staff Writer Joe Killian contributed to this story.