Ready to fight

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sen. John McCain urged Americans to fight with him Thursday night as he accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for president of the United States.

In a speech calling for unity between parties and for voters to put aside differences, McCain assured voters that he was in it for them.

“I don’t work for a party,” McCain said. “I don’t work for a special interest. I don’t work for myself. I work for you.”

McCain delivered his speech on a stage that was specially designed for the convention’s finale – jutting into the delegate floor in an attempt to create the town hall atmosphere McCain favors.  

The Arizona senator vowed to work with all parties to solve problems. He pledged to “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.”

McCain emphasized that his goal was to unify the political parties.

“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.”

At least one Hoosier said he left the convention feeling much different about McCain than when he came in. Richard Mourdock, Indiana State Treasurer and an Indiana delegate, said he almost did not attend the convention because he was not a McCain supporter. After Thursday’s speech Mourdock said, “I’m leaving here a John McCain fan.”  

“He struck me as a compassionate warrior,” Mourdock said. “Someone who is very soft-spoken, who has seen the worst of life and wants to make sure no one else every experiences that ever again.”

McCain also applauded his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, for helping him “shake up Washington,” he said. McCain applauded her for standing up for what was right and not being willing to sit down.  

“I’m very proud to have introduced our next vice president to the country,” McCain 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.”

A couple protesters disrupted the speech; some almost made it to the delegate floor toward the beginning of McCain’s speech, screaming and causing disruption until officials dragged them up the stairs and out of the building.  

McCain also spoke of his time as a prisoner of war when he was held in Vietnam for six years.  

“I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s,” McCain said. “I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency, its faith, 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.”

Preceding McCain’s speech was his wife, Cindy McCain, who emphasized his experience and strong character that has proven he’ll be faithful in office, she said.

“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 never wavered in his devotion to our country,” Cindy McCain said. “A man who’s served in Washington without ever becoming a Washington insider, and who always speaks the truth no matter what the cost. ... This is a good man. A worthy man. I know. I humbly recommend him to you tonight for nominee for the next president of the United States.”

Cindy McCain also ushered strong praise on Palin and her qualification for vice president, saying she was proud that John had “shaken things up as he usually does.”

“I know John. You can trust his hand at the wheel,” Cindy McCain said. “But you know what I’ve always thought? It’s a good idea to have a woman’s hand on the wheel as well. So how about that Gov. Sarah Palin?”

Other speakers of the night included Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, both who were on McCain’s short list for running mate. Both said McCain’s life would be an example of how he would serve.

“John McCain’s whole life is a testimony to service, duty, courage and common sense,” Pawlenty said. “John McCain has walked the walk, and he has always put our country first.”

Ridge echoed Pawlenty’s comments on McCain’s life experiences, asking Republicans “Who but John McCain” would lead the country?

“It’s about who has answered the call throughout his entire life,” Ridge said. “(McCain) refuses to think in terms of red vs. blue but can only think in terms of red, white and blue.”

As the Republican National Convention comes to a close, Mourdock said he believed McCain was “not a typical politician.”

“Frankly I was tired of hearing everyone talk about John McCain. I wanted to hear from John McCain,” he said. “And the message he gave tonight using his life experiences tell me that this guy is gonna do what he always says is best for America.”