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McCain to offer vision of change McCain to offer vision of change
(40 minutes later)
John McCain will promise "change is coming", as he sets out his vision for the US presidency at the Republican convention in St Paul, Minnesota.John McCain will promise "change is coming", as he sets out his vision for the US presidency at the Republican convention in St Paul, Minnesota.
Mr McCain is to take the stage to formally accept his party's candidacy for November's presidential election.Mr McCain is to take the stage to formally accept his party's candidacy for November's presidential election.
He will pledge to reach out to anyone "to get this country moving again", according to advance speech excerpts. He will pledge to end partisan politics "to get this country moving again", according to advance speech excerpts.
His running mate, Sarah Palin, has been formally nominated as the party's first female vice-presidential candidate. Mr McCain's wife, Cindy, in her speech praised his family values, strength of character, war service and leadership.
She becomes only the second woman, the first being Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, to run for the US vice-presidency. "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 his running mate, Sarah 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.
She mixed praise for Mr McCain with stinging attacks against Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in a speech on Wednesday night that energised the convention.She mixed praise for Mr McCain with stinging attacks against Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in a speech on Wednesday night that energised the convention.
Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed John McCainAdvance excerpts of speech In pictures: Convention - Day FourBBC World Service - live blogSend us your comments Mr McCain, in his speech, will promise change and a bipartisan approach to governing that overcomes the "constant partisan rancour" that prevents politicians resolving problems. Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed John McCainAdvance excerpts of speech In pictures: Convention - Day FourBBC World Service - live blogSend us your comments
Mr McCain, in his speech, will promise change and a bipartisan approach to governing that overcomes the "constant partisan rancour" that prevents politicians resolving problems.
"Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming," he will say."Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming," he will say.
"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.""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."
He will continue: "I have that record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not."He will continue: "I have that record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not."
The much-anticipated speech, scheduled for 2030 (0230 GMT), will bring to a close the party's four-day event.The much-anticipated speech, scheduled for 2030 (0230 GMT), will bring to a close the party's four-day event.
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 in his speech, 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 in his speech, 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 Mrs Palin as a "maverick" moose-hunter from Alaska who was joining "the original maverick" Mr McCain to bring change to Washington politics.
VindicatedVindicated
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 Full text: Sarah PalinAnalysis: Palin hits backIn 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 Full text: Sarah PalinAnalysis: Palin hits back
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.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.
Discussing his speech in an interview on US television earlier on Wednesday, Mr McCain suggested he would use it to flesh out his policy proposals.Discussing his speech in an interview on US television earlier on Wednesday, Mr McCain suggested he would use it to flesh out his policy proposals.
"The important thing right now is to tell Americans why I can restore our economy, get them affordable and available health care, a decent education, get these jobs back... and keep our nation secure," he told ABC News."The important thing right now is to tell Americans why I can restore our economy, get them affordable and available health care, a decent education, get these jobs back... and keep our nation secure," he told ABC News.
He also said he would refrain from much direct criticism of Mr Obama, despite some harsh put-downs from his rival when addressing his own party convention in Denver last week.He also said he would refrain from much direct criticism of Mr Obama, despite some harsh put-downs from his rival when addressing his own party convention in Denver last week.
With memories of Mr Obama's well-received address before 80,000 people at Invesco Field still fresh, Mr McCain will face inevitable comparisons. With memories of Mr Obama's well-received address before 80,000 people at INVESCO Field still fresh, Mr McCain will face inevitable comparisons.
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.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.President George W Bush has already strongly endorsed John McCain as the best man to succeed him in the White House.
What are your expectations for 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 are your expectations for 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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