McCain: I'm prepared for the threats of this 'dangerous world'

Accepting the Republican presidential nomination, Arizona senator says he's the one who can bring back a peaceful and prosperous America.

By HILARY LEILA KRIEGER, AP
McCain makes acceptance speech 224.88 (photo credit: AP)
McCain makes acceptance speech 224.88
(photo credit: AP)
John McCain strode forcefully into Barack Obama's territory while accepting the Republican presidential nomination Thursday night, arguing that he was actually the change candidate in these elections and the only one who could bring back a peaceful and prosperous America. Recalling the military service of generations of his family before becoming a POW in Vietnam himself, he told a packed Xcel Energy Center, "I hate war. It's terrible beyond imagination. I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe, and prevent other families from risking their loved ones in war as my family has." McCain stressed his experience in contrast to Obama, his Democratic rival, to make the case that he was the candidate that could achieve that goal. He reminded the audience of the threats that that America faced, including the danger a resurgent al-Qaida poses and that "Iran remains the chief state sponsor of terrorism and on the path to acquiring nuclear weapons." He then told them that "we face many threats in this dangerous world, but I'm not afraid of them. I'm prepared for them." He declared, "I know how the world works. I know the good and the evil in it. I know how to work with leaders who share our dreams of a freer, safer and more prosperous world and how to stand up to those who don't." Four decades after he was a prisoner of war in Vietnam and eight years after he lost a bitter primary fight to Bush, McCain closed out the Republican National Convention basking in cheers from thousands of party leaders, many of whom have not always been enamored of his independent ways. For most of his speech, McCain's understated delivery contrasted with the forceful address a day earlier by his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. She electrified the party faithful with a sarcasm-laced attack on Obama and by lashing out at Washington insiders who consider her too inexperienced to be vice president. But he won cheers as he closed out his remarks with a personal touch, recalling how his five years in captivity ended his cocky, self-absorbed ways and taught him that "no man can always stand alone." "I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's," he said. He called on Americans to join him in defending the country's ideals. "Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight," he said. "Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history." McCain said he had worked with Democrats before - often to the chagrin of Republicans - and, if elected, would continue to do so. "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," he said. In calling for an end to the "constant partisan rancor," McCain looked to win over support of independents and moderate Democrats whose votes can be decisive in the presidential race. McCain has had to strike a difficult balance distancing himself from Bush's unpopular presidency, while not alienating the Republican Party base that remains loyal to the president. Only once did McCain refer to Bush directly - though not by name - when he said he was "grateful to the president for leading us" after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. But he also took an indirect swipe at Bush, saying Republicans had lost Americans' trust "when we valued our power over our principles. We're going to change that." Bush, in a remarkable break with tradition, did not attend his party's convention. Instead, he delivered a brief speech Tuesday via satellite in which he stressed McCain's independence. McCain made only limited references to Obama. He opened his speech with a bow to Obama saying, "You have my respect and admiration. Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us." But he made it clear he would not let that stop a vigorous campaign. "Let there be no doubt, my friends, we're going to win this election." McCain's path to the nomination was long and tortuous. He was the early front-runner, but his candidacy collapsed when his stands on immigration and campaign financing angered the party's conservative base. Also, his recommendations for more U.S. troops in Iraq were rejected by most Americans. Recalling those difficult days, McCain said: "I fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq, when it wasn't a popular thing to do. And when the pundits said my campaign was finished, I said I'd rather lose an election than see my country lose a war." McCain was interrupted by a protester about 10 minutes into his address. The partisan audience chanted "USA, USA" in unison to drown out the man's message. McCain stopped speaking briefly, laughed and said "please ignore the brown noise and static."