Palin told supporters in early October that they should question Obama’s patriotism because of his relationship with onetime 1960s radical William Ayers:

“This is not a man who sees America as you see America and as I see America … Our opponent … is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect, imperfect enough, that he’s palling around with terrorists who would target their own country.”

When asked if she stands by these comments, Palin told Blizter, “I still am concerned with that connection. That’s an association that still bothers me.”

At first, raindrops were sporadic at the outdoor rally, but by the middle of Palin’s stump speech, rain was steadily falling.  I thought she might shift gears and acknowledge the inclement weather, but Palin forged on at the same pace, delivering the same words she had in the morning at Leesburg.

Toward the end of her speech, Palin noted that the best of America isn’t “up there in Washington” (about 30 minutes by car from here) but right here “in the rain!” The crowd cheered.

Palin’s speech didn’t seem intended for the crowd in front of her. Rather, it seemed written for a generic crowd in any part of  the country — where the weather was decent.

Palin gives a great speech, if the time and place fit it.