DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) -- Republican John McCain is turning away from the visceral attacks he's launched against Democrat Barack Obama in recent days to pivot back toward their policy disagreements.

In Davenport, Iowa, on Saturday, McCain kept his speech focused on the economy and other policies. That's a striking change from just days ago when his campaign redoubled its challenge to Obama's past associations.

The tone at McCain's and running mate Sarah Palin's events during the past week have taken a tone toward the sour as they attacked Obama, with supporters shouting "terrorist" and "off with his head."

McCain himself was booed on Friday at a town-hall event when he assured a supporter that he had nothing to fear if Obama were elected president