ST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) — John McCain accepted the Republican presidential nomination, echoing Democratic rival Barack Obama’s campaign theme of change while vowing an end to partisan attacks, as he looked ahead to the final stretch in the historic race for the White House.
Ending an eight-year quest for the party’s nomination, and marking the climax of a stunning comeback for a man who almost saw his prize elude him again last year, McCain told supporters on the final day of the Republican National Convention that “change is coming” after George W. Bush’s presidency. He — not Obama — would be the one to deliver that change, the veteran Arizona senator vowed.
McCain’s speech took a very different tone from that of his vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin the day before.
She electrified the party faithful with a sarcastic attack on Obama and by lashing out at those who consider her too inexperienced to be vice president.
In calling for an end to the “constant partisan rancor,” McCain looked to win over support of independents and moderate Democrats whose votes can be decisive in the presidential race. McCain must persuade Americans dissatisfied with Bush to elect another Republican to the White House with only two months remaining before the election.
Within hours of accepting the nomination, McCain sent an e-mail appeal for donations arguing that he and Palin stood for reform in Washington. He also denounced “Democratic operatives” whom he said “have stooped lower than anyone could have imagined.”
The dig appeared to be a reference to Palin’s announcement earlier this week that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter was five months’ pregnant. Palin, Alaska’s governor, said Internet rumors about her family had led her to reveal her daughter’s pregnancy. Palin has stayed out of reach of reporters and was expected to begin campaigning on her own this weekend.
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