September 5, 2008
Posted: 08:15 AM ET
Sen. McCain said Thursday that the 'do-nothing' Washington crowd is in for a change.
Sen. McCain said Thursday that the 'do-nothing' Washington crowd is in for a change.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – John McCain accepted the Republican nomination for president Thursday night "with gratitude, humility and confidence" as thousands of delegates chanted his name.

"Let there be no doubt, my friends, we're going to win this election," he said.

In a speech before a giant screen showing an American flag waving against a blue background, McCain promised to put the people first.

"I understand who I work for. I don't work for a party. I don't work for a special interest. I don't work for myself. I work for you," he said, to cheers from the crowd.

McCain portrayed himself as a fighter, saying he had fought corruption and big spenders, regardless of which party they came from.

"I've fought to get million dollar checks out of our elections. I've fought lobbyists who stole from Indian tribes. I fought crooked deals in the Pentagon. I fought tobacco companies and trial lawyers, drug companies and union bosses."

But, he said, he had learned through a lifetime of fighting "it matters less that you can fight. What you fight for is the real test."

"I fight for Americans. I fight for you," he said.

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Filed under: John McCain • Republican National Convention


Luis   September 5th, 2008 11:19 am ET

Ya'll hear that sucking sound…………everytime one of these Left Wingers opens their mouth, they subtract from the sum of human intelligence……………….
I am still waiting for one of you to point out what makes the Messiah qualified to be POTUS. And please…no smoke and mirrors, diversionary tactics or regurgitated CNN, Main Stream Media sound bites. I won't hold my breath……….and remember, we are talking about your boy, not Bush, McCain, Palin……got it?
Ready….go.

Annette   September 5th, 2008 11:13 am ET

If McCain was sincere he would have said, I have worked for you and I am working for you and for us all. So for the 25 + years who were you working for? There are millions that have given their lives to serve in our military and thousands captured as POWs, so fight? who are you fighting?

D&D   September 5th, 2008 11:12 am ET

That looked like Obama's line speech when he said "this election has never been about me, it's about YOU".
He just kind of twisted words, huh!

Frank   September 5th, 2008 11:11 am ET

McCain is the ONLY candidate running in this election that can bring Chage to our system. He straight out said that we will know the names of those lawmakers who choose to add pork barrel spending to bills. That is HUGE! And the Democrats are shaking in their sandals! Take your blinders off Obama backers! See the light of truth! Barak is demanding the presidency. John McCain has chosen to earn it!

Republican for Obama, Winter Park, FL   September 5th, 2008 11:11 am ET

Experience is highly overrated; look where "experience" has gotten us for the last eight years…

Hip   September 5th, 2008 11:11 am ET

I am Impressed with John McCain. He claims to work for me! Oddly enough though, I am one of the millions who have lost their job under the Bush administration. Funny that John McCain works for me, since I don't work. Hmmm. I actually believe this one! VOTE OBAMA! VOTE CHANGE! VOTE JOBS! VOTE AGAINST THE REPUBLICANS!

Yinka   September 5th, 2008 11:11 am ET

You fight for the same old crew that you have been working for for the last couple of decades. Change (sen. Obama) is coming. If you work for me, then support Sen Obama

Linda31   September 5th, 2008 11:09 am ET

After 26 years, NOW he will fight for me???? Too little too late!

Rich   September 5th, 2008 11:08 am ET

Well I'm glad you will work for me but how about those who have no jobs?

Darryl Miller   September 5th, 2008 11:05 am ET

1.2 million homes in foreclosure

This does not effect the McCains, He said his family feels your pain?????

All the Kings Horses and All the Kings Men Couldn't Put Fallen Little Miss Ice Chip Together Again!   September 5th, 2008 11:04 am ET

I wouldn't hire you if you were the only applicant.

james , fla   September 5th, 2008 11:02 am ET

This is a joke. John Mccain will continue to work for those that President Bush works for. I really don't believe that he can do anything different that Bush because he believes the same things that Bush does. He hasn't mentioned his solution to the economic crisis this country faces. There are serious social issues still facing this country that divide us and the Republicans want to keep it that way. They attack Obama on character issues and on his patriotism and on all things of being a community organzier. Pastors and PTA moms are community organziers and Gov. Palin and others have made light of this public service. Obama and Biden and the democratic party have morals and they stay away from talkin about the families of their rivals, while the Republicans continue to bash Michelle Obama.

Jeff   September 5th, 2008 11:01 am ET

Well, however you work for needs to come up with some ORIGINAL ideas, because you don't seem to have any.

j   September 5th, 2008 11:00 am ET

i already have obama working for me sorry

Doug in Seattle   September 5th, 2008 10:57 am ET

The McCain/Palin campaign jet is made in Brazil. Obama/Biden uses a Boeing 757 – made in the USA. Fitting, given McCain's understanding of economics.

MD FOR OBAMA   September 5th, 2008 10:57 am ET

Breaking News.. Jobless rate just went up by thousands. Work for me? Yeah right McCain. You are a liar.

No Hill then McCain   September 5th, 2008 10:54 am ET

You got my vote!

William Spivey   September 5th, 2008 10:52 am ET

"My Friends" do we really need this idiot?

Stevik   September 5th, 2008 10:51 am ET

Out with the old, in with the new!

Shrill for Hill   September 5th, 2008 10:48 am ET

"I work for you" – McBush wasn't speaking to America, he was speaking to the Kool-Aid drinking repugs in the room with him.

Don't be a Stupid American !!!   September 5th, 2008 10:46 am ET

On the upside I never had a Billion dollar man with 7 count them 7 house's work for me. Its all ways the other way a round. Wake up people your slepp walking into one sour party.

Old Fart   September 5th, 2008 10:44 am ET

Thanks just the same, but I don't want your help, Moneybags.
Unless you want to drop out of the race. I'd be okay with that.

Don't be a Stupid American !!!   September 5th, 2008 10:44 am ET

Interpretation: There's a sucker born every election. The he snickers under his breath.

JONES   September 5th, 2008 10:43 am ET

I work for you. Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha Thats really funny John. Hahahahahahahaha. God, I can't stop laughing.

Don't be a Stupid American !!!   September 5th, 2008 10:42 am ET

What is really sad is that there are people who belive this guy. I mean talk about short on good judgement.

Canada supports Obama   September 5th, 2008 10:41 am ET

IF John McCain truly worked for AMERICANS he would listen to the will of the people and GET THE HECK OUT OF IRAQ ASAP.

This man will say anything to get his own way. I couldn't help but think during that video tribute about Cindy McCain last night when she met John McCain in Hawaii that he was still married to his first wife. I liked Fred Thompson's story of how John McCain fooled around with a stripper in Florida. Then there was the Keating 5 and his many free trips to the Keating Island mansion all expenses paid. The man is not who he claims to be.

Pittbulls Against Palin   September 5th, 2008 10:41 am ET

Didn't you get the memo? Your job has been outsourced to a company overseas…..which you voted for. Don't let the door hit you in the behind.

Maggie VT   September 5th, 2008 10:41 am ET

I see no change in 26 years, Why would I believe you would change now? I don't have a bridge to sell you, but maybe you could donate those $500 shoes when you get sick of them?????

Steve   September 5th, 2008 10:40 am ET

What? Now! After 26 years of doing so little and flipping on all your issues you want to work for us NOW????? Why? So we can all have 8 houses and wives that wear $300,000 dress and jewelry and spend $800,000 a month on credit cards..

Thanks but no thanks. I'll take my $27.50 an hours and be happy as long as this country goes in the right direction. And McWar. You're not the one to take us there.

Doris,Memphis, TN   September 5th, 2008 10:40 am ET

Sir,you work for big oil companies. You don't even count little people
like me.

Vincent   September 5th, 2008 10:40 am ET

You WILL work for me???

Who were you working for the last twenty something years??

ralph   September 5th, 2008 10:39 am ET

"I fought my own Vice Presidential candidtes egregious earmarks….oh wait!"

McCain has a Puppy neck   September 5th, 2008 10:38 am ET

If I recall correctly that was pretty close to a line Obama used in his acceptance speech

Veterans 4 Obama   September 5th, 2008 10:37 am ET

Whatever! John fights for whomever lines his pockets the most!

MIKE   September 5th, 2008 10:36 am ET

What exactly are you doing for me? ….Giving my money to big oil, dont want to give me tax breaks because i dont make $5million a year, dont care about my healthcare, dollar value plunged and you not interested…Pls tell me what you are doing for me…well i know your answer. you are a POW…and will like to make me or my son and daughter POW…Thanks but no thanks. I dont need you McPain.

Emma   September 5th, 2008 10:36 am ET

McCain has never worked a day in his life. He is from money, married into money and keeps his money.

Steve, Madison WI   September 5th, 2008 10:36 am ET

I doubt you will work for me as I can't pay you as much as the lobbyists and corporations will.

NoMcSame No ReThuglicans   September 5th, 2008 10:34 am ET

You don't know what work is PAL.

Foreign observer   September 5th, 2008 9:24 am ET

You have to hire the best you can get: your offers are a brilliant and dynamic advocate or a grandpa ready to enjoy his high pension.
Whom you would take for your company ?

jason, tx   September 5th, 2008 9:23 am ET

interpretation: "i fight for myself, i work for my next house!"

ct   September 5th, 2008 9:22 am ET

With his 500 dollar loafers he works for you.

S. Boatman   September 5th, 2008 9:22 am ET

If You Work For Me Mccain Then You Are Fired!

Obama Hockey Mom   September 5th, 2008 9:19 am ET

So does this mean that McCain is also working for the war protesters outside that far outnumbered the interior crowd?

HOPE IS COMING   September 5th, 2008 9:18 am ET

IF YOU IN FACT WORK FOR ME ……………………YOUR FIRED!!!

SECURITY……………………………………

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Frank   September 5th, 2008 9:18 am ET

I know .. Monday-Friday, 9-5pm. Thanks.

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