Speaking at a large Republican gathering in Johnstown, Pa., the Alaska governor said the Illinois senator would appoint "activist" judges who would "continue to smother debates on this issue of life," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

"Mr. Obama is a politician who has long since left the middle ground on the issue of life," Palin said. "He said a woman shouldn't have to be 'punished with a baby.' He said that right here in Johnstown. It's about time we called him on it."

Obama last spring answered a woman's question about stopping abortion by saying he would teach his two daughters "first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby." A campaign spokesman later said Obama believes "children are miracles" and that steps need to be taken to reduce teen pregnancies and abortions.

"The more I hear from Senator Obama, the more I understand why he's so vague, and please, it's not negative or mean spirited to talk about his record," Palin said.

"I'm glad she talked about abortion," said James Nance, 36, of Hagerstown, Md. "We're killing babies and it's something that needs to be discussed."