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McCain vows to fight to change US McCain vows to fight to change US
(20 minutes later)
John McCain has accepted the Republican Party's candidacy for the White House in a speech to cheering supporters at the party's national convention.John McCain has accepted the Republican Party's candidacy for the White House in a speech to cheering supporters at the party's national convention.
He vowed to bring change to government, restore the people's trust in the party and to fight for a better nation.He vowed to bring change to government, restore the people's trust in the party and to fight for a better nation.
Praising his running mate Sarah Palin, he said she was the right person to help him bring change to Washington.Praising his running mate Sarah Palin, he said she was the right person to help him bring change to Washington.
The Arizona senator said he respected Democratic rival Barack Obama and would seek a bipartisan approach to politics.The Arizona senator said he respected Democratic rival Barack Obama and would seek a bipartisan approach to politics.
He pledged to fight corruption and make sure that he worked for the good of the American people, rather than special interests or himself. Presenting himself once again as a maverick, he pledged to fight corruption, whether Democratic or Republican, and make sure that he worked for the good of the American people.
"Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming," Mr McCain said. "Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming," Mr McCain told the crowds in St Paul, Minnesota.
Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed John McCain Live text commentaryIn pictures: Convention - Day FourSend us your commentsAgain and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed John McCain Live text commentaryIn pictures: Convention - Day FourSend us your comments
In a criticism of his own party, he said he would "fight to restore the pride and principles" of the party, damaged after some Republicans gave in to the temptations of corruption. In a criticism of his own party, he said he would "fight to restore the pride and principles" of the party, damaged after some Republicans gave in to "the temptations of corruption".
"We're going to recover the people's trust by standing up again for the values Americans admire," he said. "The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics.""We're going to recover the people's trust by standing up again for the values Americans admire," he said. "The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics."
Mr McCain then turned to attacking the Democrats over taxes and spending, saying they would seek to raise taxes whereas he would keep them low and cut them where possible.Mr McCain then turned to attacking the Democrats over taxes and spending, saying they would seek to raise taxes whereas he would keep them low and cut them where possible.
Going into some policy specifics, he pledged create new jobs, improve education and to reduce a "dangerous dependence on foreign oil" by producing more energy at home, including by drilling new offshore oil wells.Going into some policy specifics, he pledged create new jobs, improve education and to reduce a "dangerous dependence on foreign oil" by producing more energy at home, including by drilling new offshore oil wells.
Mr McCain promised to take a bipartisan approach to resolving the nation's problems, saying: "Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed.Mr McCain promised to take a bipartisan approach to resolving the nation's problems, saying: "Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed.
"That's how I will govern as president. I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again." Mr McCain spoke of his time as a prisoner of war and his patriotism
After speaking of his experiences as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and how they had inspired his love of his country, he called on his fellow Americans to fight with him to make it a better one. "That's how I will govern as president. I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again.
"I have that record and the scars to prove it. Barack Obama does not."
After speaking of the five years he spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and how that experience had inspired his love of his country, he called on his fellow Americans to fight with him to make it a better one.
"Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide form history. We make history.""Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide form history. We make history."
The speech in St Paul, Minnesota, which ended in the traditional shower of confetti and red, white and blue balloons, brought to a close the party's four-day event. The almost hour-long speech, which ended in the traditional shower of confetti and red, white and blue balloons, brought to a close the party's four-day event.
'War hero''War hero'
Mr McCain's wife, Cindy, in her speech praised his family values, strength of character, war service and leadership.Mrs McCain praised her husband as a great father and devoted AmericanMr McCain's wife, Cindy, in her speech praised his family values, strength of character, war service and leadership.Mrs McCain praised her husband as a great father and devoted American
"If Americans want straight talk and the plain truth, they should take a good close look at John McCain... a man tested and true, who's never wavered in his devotion to our country," she said, after arriving on stage flanked by their seven children."If Americans want straight talk and the plain truth, they should take a good close look at John McCain... a man tested and true, who's never wavered in his devotion to our country," she said, after arriving on stage flanked by their seven children.
Her speech followed the convention's formal nomination of Mrs Palin - the Republican Party's first female vice-presidential candidate.Her speech followed the convention's formal nomination of Mrs Palin - the Republican Party's first female vice-presidential candidate.
Mrs Palin becomes only the second woman, the first being Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, to run for the US vice-presidency.Mrs Palin becomes only the second woman, the first being Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, to run for the US vice-presidency.
The BBC's Adam Brookes in St Paul says Mr McCain's speech will set the tone for remaining two months of campaigning before the presidential election.The BBC's Adam Brookes in St Paul says Mr McCain's speech will set the tone for remaining two months of campaigning before the presidential election.
Mr McCain has worked tirelessly to tell Americans his story - the Vietnam war hero, the maverick politician, the straight talker - our correspondent says.Mr McCain has worked tirelessly to tell Americans his story - the Vietnam war hero, the maverick politician, the straight talker - our correspondent says.
But the issues he has chosen to campaign on - more oil drilling for energy independence, tax cuts and fighting on to victory in Iraq - are the concerns of core Republicans, he adds.But the issues he has chosen to campaign on - more oil drilling for energy independence, tax cuts and fighting on to victory in Iraq - are the concerns of core Republicans, he adds.
So far, some heavyweight moderate Republicans are withholding their support and Mr McCain will seek to reassure and unify the many different people making up the party, from Christian conservatives to business leaders to gun owners, our correspondent says.So far, some heavyweight moderate Republicans are withholding their support and Mr McCain will seek to reassure and unify the many different people making up the party, from Christian conservatives to business leaders to gun owners, our correspondent says.
'Integrity and courage''Integrity and courage'
Speaking ahead of Mr McCain's address, senior Republicans praised his courage and leadership.Speaking ahead of Mr McCain's address, senior Republicans praised his courage and leadership.
Tim Pawlenty praised Mr McCain's service, courage and common senseTim Pawlenty praised Mr McCain's service, courage and common sense
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, at one point hotly tipped to be Mr McCain's running mate choice, described the Arizona senator's life as "a testimony to service, duty, courage and common sense".Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, at one point hotly tipped to be Mr McCain's running mate choice, described the Arizona senator's life as "a testimony to service, duty, courage and common sense".
"In this time, we don't need a president who can just read a poll or momentarily thrill a crowd. We don't need rhetoric or empty promises," he said, speaking ahead of Mr McCain's address."In this time, we don't need a president who can just read a poll or momentarily thrill a crowd. We don't need rhetoric or empty promises," he said, speaking ahead of Mr McCain's address.
"We need a president who has the integrity and courage to make the tough choices so America will be stronger and safer.""We need a president who has the integrity and courage to make the tough choices so America will be stronger and safer."
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham hailed Mr McCain's determination to back the Bush administration's "surge" strategy in Iraq despite the political risks.South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham hailed Mr McCain's determination to back the Bush administration's "surge" strategy in Iraq despite the political risks.
He introduced a video presenting Mrs Palin as a "maverick" moose-hunter from Alaska who was joining "the original maverick" Mr McCain to bring change to Washington politics. He introduced a video presenting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as a "maverick" moose-hunter from Alaska who was joining "the original maverick" Mr McCain to bring change to Washington politics.
Vindicated In a well-received speech on Wednesday, Mrs Palin praised Mr McCain and attacked Mr Obama as having talked of change, but done nothing of substance.
In a well-received speech on Wednesday, Mrs Palin attacked Mr Obama as having talked of change, but done nothing of substance. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers - and then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change Alaska Governor Sarah Palin class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7597238.stm">Full text: Sarah Palin class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7597351.stm">Analysis: Palin hits back President George W Bush has also strongly endorsed John McCain as the best man to succeed him in the White House.
She accused him of being more interested in high flown speech-making than acting for real Americans, while she would challenge the status quo and work for the common good.
With memories of Mr Obama's well-received address before 80,000 people at INVESCO Field still fresh, Mr McCain will face inevitable comparisons, commentators say.
Mr McCain has never been considered a great speaker, said one of his closest aides, Mark Salter, who added that his goal for Mr McCain was simply a smooth delivery.
President George W Bush has already strongly endorsed John McCain as the best man to succeed him in the White House.
What did you think of McCain's speech? Have you been following all of the Republican convention? What is your reaction as a whole? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below.What did you think of McCain's speech? Have you been following all of the Republican convention? What is your reaction as a whole? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below.
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