RNC - McCain says he, Palin will fight to improve America

Senator becomes the 2nd Arizonan to accept a presidential nomination

By Katie Evans
Herald/Review

Published on Friday, September 05, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. — John McCain didn’t have to defend himself as protesters yelled out during his acceptance speech Thursday night.

He left that to his supporters.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain is joined by his wife, Cindy, on stage after his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday. The Associated Press The thousands of delegates and alternates at the Republican National Convention promptly began chanting “U.S.A.” at the slightest sound of protests until McCain spoke up.

“My friends, please don’t be diverted by the ground noise and the static,” McCain said, a smile on his face.

With the loud cheers, and only one more attempt from a protester, McCain went into a speech that discussed his personal fight to Thursday night’s podium as the Republican presidential nominee, what he would do as president and what his opponents won’t do if elected.

He became the second Arizonan to accept a nomination for president. Barry Goldwater was the first in 1964, also accepting the Republican nomination.

“My heartfelt thanks to all of you, who helped me win this nomination, and stood by me when the odds were long. I won’t let you down,” McCain said amidst cheers and applause. “To Americans who have yet to decide who to vote for: Thank you for your consideration and the opportunity to win your trust.

“I intend to earn it.”

McCain addressed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama directly during the early portion of his speech, telling the U.S. senator from Illinois that he has his “respect and admiration.”

“Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us,” McCain said. “We are fellow Americans, an association that means more to me than any other.”

“But let there be no doubt, my friends, we’re going to win this election,” McCain continued, turning his attention back to his supporters.

He acknowledged the tough economic times America is facing, and promised as president to stand on the side of the citizens.

“You know, I’ve been called a maverick; someone who marches to the beat of his own drum. Sometimes it’s meant as a compliment and sometimes it’s not,” he continued. “What it really means is I understand who I work for. I don’t work for a party, I don’t work for a special interest, I don’t work for myself: I work for you.”

McCain said he fights for America, fights against corruption across partisan boundaries and fights for every citizen.

“I fight to restore the pride and principles of our party: We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us,” he said.

“We lost the trust of the American people when some Republicans gave in to the temptations of corruption.”

“We’re going to change that,” he added. “The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics.”

McCain said he wants to keep taxes low and cut them where he can, while he argued Obama wants to raise them.

He said his tax cuts will create jobs, while Obama’s increases will eliminate them.

McCain spoke of reforming education, saying he wants to shake up “failed school bureaucracies with competition.”

He said he wants to empower parents by allowing them to choose where they send their children to school.

“Sen. Obama wants our schools to answer to unions and entrenched bureaucracies,” McCain said. “I want schools to answer to parents and students.

“And when I’m president, they will.”

His plans for making America energy independent drew people to their feet cheering, applauding and whistling.

“When I’m president, we’re going to embark on the most ambitious national project in decades. We are going to stop sending $700 billion a year to countries that don’t like us very much,” he said.

“We will attack the problem on every front. We will produce more energy at home. We will drill new wells offshore, and we’ll drill them now.”

To this, the crowd began chanting “Drill, baby, drill.”

He talked about his vice presidential pick, Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin, describing her as the “right partner to help me shake up Washington.”

He described a woman who has tackled tough problems such as energy independence and corruption, has balanced budgets, run a small business, worked with her hands and “knows what it’s like to worry about mortgage payments and health care and the cost of gasoline and groceries.”

“She knows where she comes from and she knows who she works for. She stands up for what’s right, and she doesn’t let anyone tell her to sit down,” he said to a roaring crowd.

“I’m very proud to have introduced our next vice president to the country,” he continued. “But I can’t wait until I introduce her to Washington.

“And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: Change is coming.”

McCain discussed his time as a prisoner of war in the Vietnam War and what it did for him, changing him from a self-serving, independent person into a man who put America first.

“I’m not running for president because I think I’m blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need,” McCain said to laughs.

“My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.”

Building up to perhaps the most powerful moment in the evening, McCain continued to say he will fight every day as the president.

“I’m going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank him,” he said.

“That I’m an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on earth, and with hard work, strong faith and a little courage, great things are always within our reach.”

Then he encouraged everybody to fight with him, and the crowd immediately stood up and begin cheering.

Rather than pausing, McCain provoked them more by speaking over their cheers, telling them what they should be fighting    for.

“Fight for what’s right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people. Fight for our children’s future,” McCain said, the yells of the audience growing with each sentence.

“Stand up for each other. For beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.”

“Stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history,” McCain said. “We make history.”

KATIE EVANS reporter Katie Evans can be reached at  515-4611 or katie.evans @svherald.com

WHAT THEY SAID

“It’s not about building a record, it’s about having one. ... It’s not about talking pretty, it’s about talking straight.”

— Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge.

“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.”

— Cindy McCain

“She stands up for what’s right and she doesn’t let anyone tell her to sit down.”

— McCain, on his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.