SALEM — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is expected to attract thousands of people at a campaign rally Wednesday in what could be one of the largest turnouts for a political event in town.

New Hampshire is one of several swing states that Palin, vice presidential running mate of Republican Sen. John McCain is visiting to shore up the ticket's voting base.

With less than a month left before the presidential election, her appearance is drawing both excitement from supporters and a critical eye from Democrats, who hope their candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, can take the state in the Nov. 4 election.

The rally will be held at Salem High School's football stadium, Grant Field. It has a bleacher capacity of 1,200, but organizers are expecting a crowd of between 5,000 and 8,000, according to School Superintendent Michael Delahanty.

Local Republicans say the visit so close to Election Day is a nod to their long effort to keep Rockingham County a GOP stronghold, and an acknowledgement of growing concerns about keeping independent voters.

"As Rockingham County goes, the state of New Hampshire will go," said Jeff Hatch, chairman of Salem's Republican Committee.

The county has traditionally been a strong Republican base, but its composition has changed in recent years with the influx of Democrats and independent voters moving in from Massachusetts, he said.

"I'd say my battle and my committee's battle is not so much people from Massachusetts coming up here," Hatch said. "It's making sure our independents lean toward Republicans and that their voting stays that way."

One of the greater concerns for locals will be dealing with the masses Palin's appearance will draw. Salem police met with school officials early yesterday to begin dealing with security procedures. That will be followed by a meeting with the Secret Service this weekend.

"We've got to talk about the number of uniformed officers, (overall) security, traffic and road concerns," said police Capt. Shawn Patten. "Anything from the public safety standpoint is what we're dealing with."

The campaign is expected to announce a 4:30 p.m. start time, with Palin taking the stage about two hours later so the Secret Service can screen the audience.

Delahanty said planners are expecting to draw both party supporters and people who are simply curious about Palin.

"From their perspective, Gov. Palin has a sort of stature, which brings a lot of curiosity among people," he said. "They also understand security is going to be very, very tight because she is drawing so many people."

Delahanty said the only event that compares to what's expected for Palin's appearance is when the high school marching band hosts 20 regional bands, an event that typically draws about 4,500 people.

When then-President Clinton visited the high school, 2,000 people crowded into the auditorium.

During the presidential primary, McCain drew about 1,000 people when he made a campaign stop at Woodbury School in Salem.

Sen. Bob Letourneau, R-Derry, who met Palin at the Republican National Convention this year, said her visit to New Hampshire will be sure to invigorate the party before the election.

"She's quite the person," said Letourneau, a delegate at the convention. "She is a very rugged, independent individual. She is able to take care of herself, and not a whiner. It's exciting to have her come because people in New Hampshire can't wait to hear her speak and meet her."

How much voters will be able to interact with her remains to be seen. Palin's campaign schedule calls for her to be at another event by 7:30 p.m., according to Delahanty. She also is scheduled to speak at Dover High School earlier in the day.

Her husband, Todd, is expected to appear at the Grass Drags and Water-crossing snowmobile event in Fremont this weekend.

Ray Buckley, chairman of the state's Democratic Party, said Palin is visiting the state in an attempt to maintain the party base in New Hampshire, which went for Sen. John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election.

He challenged Palin to forgo an rally event for party activists and try a town hall-style meeting, which the state and McCain are known for.

"New Hampshire grows voters who are skeptical," Buckley said. "They're experts who are great at asking tough questions. For her to come here, I hope she would allow herself to be questioned by voters and not just party activists. She really hasn't gone through the New Hampshire process that Sen. McCain, Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden have gone through. I think it would be great if she would participate in an open forum."