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McCain: We've got to fight to be great again
Paul Thompson5 Sep 2008
John McCain issued a rallying call to the American people to join him in the fight to make the country great once again.
The Republican presidential nominee promised to bring sweeping change to Washington and set out his credentials as a "man of the people".
Vowing to cut taxes, create jobs, solve the energy crisis and defend America's freedom he used his acceptance speech for the Republican nomination to deliver his impassioned vision of the United States under his presidency.
To thunderous applause he said he would unleash his "lipstick pitbull", vice-presidential choice Sarah Palin, to slash wasteful government spending - although his speech failed to have the electric effect on the Republican convention which she had.
"I'm very proud to have introducedour next vice-president to the country," he said.
"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."
The line stole his rival Barack Obama's election mantra of "change" in a move designed to underline Mr McCain's credentials as a maverick who will break the party divisions of Washington and offer a fresh start after the George W Bush years.
Mr McCain, who at 72 will be the oldest president if he wins the November election, repeatedly used the word "fight".
As many in the crowd wept, Mr McCain said the beatings and depravation during his time as a prisoner of war at the "Hanoi Hilton" in North Vietnam taught him how much he loved his country.
"I'm going to fight for my cause every day as your president," he said. "I'm going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank Him: 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.
"Fight with me. Fight with me.
Fight for what's right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people. Fight for our children's future. Fight for justice and opportunity for all.
Mr McCain said his presidency would cut taxes and improve education standards but the biggest cheer came when said he would embark on the "biggest national project in decades" - a reduction in reliance on imported oil that costs £400billion a year.
"Drill here, drill now" has become a mantra among Republicans convinced it can revive the economy and loosen ties with the Middle East.
Time magazine's blogger Jay Carney said: "A mixed performance. The ending worked, though I doubt anyone could hear him through the crowd's applause. The final peroration - - 'We're Americans. We don't hide from history. We make history' - - was strong stuff."
