McCain Accepts Republican Pres. Nomination

U.S. Senator John McCain officially accepted Thursday the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Republican Party also named Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as McCain’s running mate.

At the Xcel Energy Center surrounded by thousands of Republican delegates, McCain said, “I`m an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on earth. 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.”

“Let me just offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first-country-second crowd: change is coming.”

He asked moderate-independent voters for their support given their crucial role in the upcoming November election, saying, “After we`ve won, we`re going to reach out our hand to any willing patriot, make this government start working for you again, and get this country back on the road to prosperity and peace.”

With the national conventions of the two major parties concluded, the final stretch of their campaigns will continue over the next 60 days. McCain will hold rallies Friday in Wisconsin and Michigan, and Democratic Party rival Barack Obama will do so in Pennsylvania.

triplets@donga.com