Associated Press

Barack Obama waves to the crowd at a rally in the rain Saturday at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.

FREDERICKSBURG -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama returned to Virginia on Saturday, telling thousands of rain-soaked supporters in Fredericksburg that his first debate with Republican rival John McCain exposed clear distinctions over their plans to protect middle class taxpayers.

"We talked about the economy for 40 minutes, and not once did Senator McCain talk about the struggles that middle class families are facing every day right here in Virginia and around the country," said Obama, referring to his Friday face-off with McCain in Oxford, Miss.

Obama appeared with running mate Joe Biden on the campus of the University of Mary Washington, one day after the first debate of the general election campaign. A crowd of 12,000 people filled Ball Circle on the campus, and police said another 14,000 were outside the fenced-off area where the rally was staged. The boisterous crowd waited through a downpour for the rally, which began nearly two hours later than scheduled. More rain fell as Obama began to speak.

"I'd like to cover everybody's dry cleaning bill tonight, but I can't because I need it for the campaign," Obama joked as he greeted the crowd.

It was the first joint appearance for the Democratic ticket in Virginia, a state no Democratic presidential ticket has carried since 1964. But polls indicate that the race is tight, and Obama is waging an aggressive effort to capture the state's 13 electoral votes.

Obama, who has built his campaign on a message of change, said Friday's debate underscored McCain's support for economic and foreign policies pursued by President Bush.

"On issue after issue, from taxes to health care to the war in Iraq, you heard John McCain making the case for more of the same policies that got us into this mess," Obama said.

Obama focused much of his message on the economy as Congress continued work on trying to craft a $700 billion rescue plan for failing banks and financial institutions. Obama promised to protect the interests of middle class taxpayers as the government works to stabilize the fragile economy.

Obama said he will insist on government oversight of the bailout process and ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to reward corporate executives who helped create the crisis. Obama also said the rescue plan should be crafted so taxpayers get "every penny" back when the economy recovers. He said he would continue with plans to provide tax relief to working families.

Biden played the role of attack dog, saying McCain showed bad judgment on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, homeland security and the economy.

"The problem is that John McCain's judgment has been flat wrong for the last eight years," Biden said. "We need more than a brave soldier; we need a wise leader."

McCain argued repeatedly Friday night that Obama lacks the experience and the depth of understanding to handle critical national security issues, and Virginia Republicans also picked up on the theme.

Minutes after the debate ended, McCain's campaign released statements from state GOP leaders declaring McCain the clear winner -- particularly on national security issues.

"John McCain clearly indicated that he is prepared to lead our country into the future, and Barack Obama once again showed that he is all talk and no substance," said Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling.

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson added to the criticism Saturday in a conference call with Virginia reporters, saying the national security debate is about "leadership and credibility."

"You only get credibility when you've made the hard choices and you've had the experience and you've proven yourself and you're knowledgeable," said Thompson, who now lives in McLean. "Obama just simply has no record. ... His record is changing his mind about things and sticking his finger in the wind."

But many Obama backers in the Fredericksburg crowd said they heard what they wanted from their candidate Friday night.

"I just loved his presence, his clarity, his intelligence," said Patty Premo of Spotsylvania County.

Malcholm Reese, a U.S. Army veteran who served in the first Persian Gulf war, said the ongoing war in Iraq has diminished American credibility in the region and criticized McCain for backing the war.

"We were respected in the Middle East," said Reese, a Prince William County resident. "Right now, we're not respected anywhere. We should have never been in Iraq."

Obama said McCain was more focused on criticizing him Friday than offering solutions.

"Through 90 minutes of debate, John McCain had a lot to say about me, but he had nothing to say about you," Obama said,