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 Posts: 37195Timestamp: Thu Sep 04, 08 11:25 PM
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| Post URL: John McCain to Declare Change Is Coming In Acceptance Speech
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foxnews: John McCain plans to cast himself as the proven reformer in the presidential race when he accepts the Republican nomination Thursday night, in an attempt to build on the impassioned case Sarah Palin made for the GOP ticket the night before.
“Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first, country-second Washington crowd. Change is coming,” McCain is expected to say — echoing Barack Obama’s “change” mantra — according to prepared remarks released Thursday evening.
McCain plans to condemn the “constant partisan rancor” and self-interest in Washington that he says is clogging up the government.
“Again and again, I’ve worked with members of both parties to fix what needs to be fixed,” McCain plans to say. “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.”
Though McCain is not attempting to match the size and spectacle of Barack Obama’s historic acceptance speech a week ago, McCain had the stage at the Xcel Energy Center rebuilt to fit his “town hall” approach.
A catwalk that juts into the center of the arena has been built so McCain can walk out into the crowd.
McCain, who was formally nominated Wednesday night, is expected to offer tough contrasts between himself and Obama, while laying out his vision for the country as president.
McCain also plans to address the five years he spent as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, claiming, “I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s.”
Other McCain allies, including former Sen. Fred Thompson and Palin, pointed over the past three days to McCain’s time in captivity as evidence of his commitment to his country.
“I think what everyone can expect from the speech tonight is a wrap-up, a close, a summary of the message of the convention, which has been a reflection back on John McCain’s record of reforming Washington, his experiences and his commitment to serve this country,” McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds told FOX News.
McCain adviser Mark Salter, who was the lead author of the speech, told reporters that McCain will talk about “where, how and why he will lead the country.” Salter said he will point out policy and issue differences with Barack Obama, and talk about his “record of reform and his plans to change the status quo.”
Several speakers will warm up the crowd including Cindy McCain, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
In prepared remarks, Cindy McCain describes her husband as “tested and true,” and a man “who’s never wavered in his devotion to our country … a man who’s served in Washington without ever becoming a Washington insider.”
His running mate Palin wowed convention-goers with her address the night before, in which she wagged the finger at critics who downplay her experience as a governor and former small-town mayor and touted McCain as the real “change” candidate.
But Democrats and Obama say the Republicans at the convention have so far steered clear of issues like the economy in favor of attacking him and his running mate Joe Biden.
Obama has held a steady lead in national polls over McCain since accepting the Democratic nomination.
However, most polls have not yet taken into account voters’ reaction to Palin’s speech on Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: foxnews.com
John-McCain, Politics
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