World | USA
John McCain promises huge change
John McCain, casting himself as an independent consensus-builder, took on Washington and his own party Thursday, promising Americans that "change is coming."
- Agencies
- Published: 23:12 September 5, 2008
- Image Credit: AP
- John McCain is joined by his wife Cindy on stage after his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday.
St Paul: John McCain, casting himself as an independent consensus-builder, took on Washington and his own party Thursday, promising Americans that "change is coming."
"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, receiving a standing ovation from cheering delegates on the last night of the Republican National Convention.
"And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first, country-second Washington crowd: Change is coming."
Weaving his military background, public-service record and maverick style throughout his presidential nomination acceptance speech, the Arizona senator sought to portray himself as the candidate best prepared to take on the challenges facing the country.
And while he stressed national-security issues, the backbone of his campaign, he also reached out to middle-class voters of all political persuasions, promising job training for a changing economy and strides in public education.
"These are tough times for many of you. You're worried about keeping your job or finding a new one, and are struggling to put food on the table and stay in your home," he said. "All you ever asked of government is to stand on your side, not in your way. And that's just what I intend to do: stand on your side and fight for your future."
Soft shots at Obama
McCain, who at 72 would be the oldest first-term US president in history, took some swipes at Democrat Barack Obama, although they were based on policy differences: taxes, energy, education.
"I wouldn't be an American worthy of the name if I didn't honour Barack Obama and his supporters for their achievement," McCain said. "But let there be no doubt, my friends, we're going to win this election."
The soft shots at Obama were a stark contrast to the third day of the convention, when McCain's running mate Sarah Palin energised the delegates by slamming Obama on his policies and level of experience.
McCain was greeted by the delegates with a thunderous roar that continued through much of his speech.
But when he talked about where the Republicans had gone off track, there was a light applause, and some delegates looked unsure of where his speech was going.
"We lost the trust of the American people when some Republicans gave in to the temptations of corruption. We lost their trust when rather than reform government, both parties made it bigger," he said. "We lost their trust when we valued our power over our principles."
McCain, however, quickly brought the delegates back to roars when he said: "The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics."
The riled-up crowd, sporting red, white and blue hats, waved signs reading "real American hero," "the maverick" and "new direction."
McCain, who has represented Arizona since 1983, walked out to the stage and waved stiff-armed to the crowd, the result of injuries and torture he suffered as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. All the while, the crowd chanted "USA."
McCain appeared to deftly navigate some choppy political waters, touting his reformer credentials and distancing himself from President Bush while keeping the party base on his side. He did briefly mention the president, hailing him for "leading us in those dark days following the worst attack on American soil in our history and keeping us safe from another attack many thought was inevitable."
But like nearly every speaker over the four-day convention, he stayed away from specifically talking about Bush and his policies, and painted himself as an nonpartisan maverick.
"Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed," he said. "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. Senator Obama does not."
His country's man
He also told delegates that the five years he spent in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp had changed his life.
"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's," he said. "I loved it for its decency, for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's."
McCain was introduced by his wife, Cindy, who called him a man "who always speaks the truth."
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
