Sen. McCain said Thursday that he's ready to lead the Republican ticket.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – John McCain vowed Thursday to "shake up Washington" and said he's prepared to reach across the aisle to get the country "back on the road to prosperity and peace."

"We need to change the way government does almost everything," he told the Republican National Convention.

"Fight with me. Fight for what's right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people."

He said his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is "just the right partner" to help lead the change.

"She's tackled tough problems like energy independence and corruption," he said. "She stands up for what's right and she doesn't let anyone tell her to sit down."

He added, "Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first, country-second Washington crowd: Change is coming."

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Schneider: McCain's tribute to Bush was risky.

Bill Schneider has covered political conventions for more than 30 years and has covered them for CNN since the 1992 election.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) — It's odd to present yourself as a maverick to the most partisan audience imaginable, as John McCain did Thursday night.

But the real audience wasn't sitting in the Xcel Center this evening to watch the Arizona senator accept the Republican Party's presidential nomination; it was the independents at home looking for a reason to vote for him.

It wasn't that long ago that McCain was the Republican most admired among Democrats. He retains some residual popularity with Democrats and particularly independents.

But some of that glow has faded.

He's certainly doing his best to regain some of that luster. He didn't talk much at all about divisive social issues: a brief reference to his support for life, no talk of gay issues, a brief reference to judges that don't legislate from the bench but no extended focus on social issues. That's not the core of his agenda.

But in a moment sure to be featured in campaign ads from now to November, he paid tribute to the sitting Republican president, George W. Bush. A risky move.

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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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John McCain and Sarha Palin are the 2008 Republican presidential ticket. (Photo: Mike Roselli/CNN)

A few thoughts as John McCain takes his bows: one cannot leave that speech without having enormous respect for him as a war hero and patriot. His retelling of his story tonight was extremely moving. I have long been a fan of John McCain the human being and I came away even more impressed tonight. It is worth remembering that a McCain has fought in every American war since 1776.

In terms of addressing America's big challenges, however, I found the speech much less compelling. It was a very general recitation of fairly standard Republican approaches (how is he really different from Bush on policy?), and it did not address many issues such as getting us out of an economic ditch, heading off the worst financial crisis since the Depression, exploding health care costs, and more. Overall, I thought that part of the speech was thin.

Kudos to McCain for leaving personal partisan rancor out of the speech. Personally, I wish that he had curbed some of that earlier in the convention.

Overall, I came away believing that the McCain-Palin ticket will be very formidable this fall. And even though the speech was long, I thought that when one judges its political impact, I would give it an A.

Cindy McCain spoke about her husband at the GOP convention Thursday night.

St. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) — Cindy McCain praised her husband, Republican presidential nominee John McCain, as "someone of unusual strength and character" in a speech to the Republican National Convention on Thursday.

"You can trust his hand at the wheel," she said, adding: "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 Gov. Sarah Palin!" Delegates erupted in cheers at the mention of McCain's running mate, the governor of Alaska.

Cindy McCain said her husband's run for the White House "is not about us. It's about our special and exceptional country."

She called Americans the most generous people in history, and said "our hearts are still alive with hope and belief in our individual ability to make things right if only the federal government would get itself under control and out of our way," prompting cheers from the delegates.

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ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – Two protesters tried to disrupt Republican presidential nominee John McCain's speech behind and to the right of the podium.

One took off an outer garment to reveal a pink garment underneath and held a banner in front of her.

The banner was snatched away by a man nearby who threw it to the floor and the protester tried to pick it up and struggled with several people for it.

One of the protesters flashed a peace sign while being led away by a single man. The other struggled with several men before being carried up the stairs and out of the auditorium.

ST. PAUL (CNN) — When McCain talks about change, he talks about changing Washington – when the Democrats talk about change, they’re talking about changing the way things are going in the country.

It’s amazing how much animus there is against public education in this audience. That’s a controversial position – popular with this crowd, but not necessarily the country at large.

He follows that with a universally popular theme: stop giving money to countries that don’t like us. This is something that goes way beyond partisanship.

Finally, an oblique reference to his stand on an issue that’s popular outside the convention hall: global warming, where he parts ways with his party.

One thing interesting about this speech – he’s not talking much at all about social issues – a brief reference to his support for life, no talk of gay issues, a brief reference to judges that don’t legislate from the bench, but no extended focus on social issues. It’s not the core of his agenda.

McCain’s very aggressive response to the war in Georgia worried a lot of people; now he’s going out of his way to say he doesn’t want another Cold War. The worry: McCain is a neocon, with neocon advisers. He’s trying to address that now.

There’s a debate in the foreign policy community about whether he’s a realist, a neocon – or a bit of both.

McCain worked to calm the crowd after protestors interupted Thursday night.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – In response to early rumors that demonstrators might try to interrupt Republican presidential nominee John McCain's acceptance speech Thursday night, a number of delegations agreed to chant "U.S.A." in order to quell the sound of protesters.

"There's word of a possible demonstration coming. If it does, the chant is 'USA, USA'," a floor whip was overheard telling members in the New York delegation.

Similar whispers were heard from the Alaska delegation clear across to the Louisiana delegation on the other side of the hall only moments before McCain began speaking.

On at least three occasions during the early part of his speech, members of the audience began chanting "U.S.A." in response to protesters, who were then escorted out of the hall.

In one such case, McCain weighed in telling the crowd not to be distracted “by the static…Americans want us to stop yelling at each other.”

Police were on guard Thursday at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – Police arrested about 200 people after using tear gas and percussion grenades Thursday night to disperse a crowd of protesters who had gathered near the State Capitol, about a mile from the site of the Republican National Convention.

Minnesota State Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion said the arrests were made at an Interstate overpass that separated the marchers from the Xcel Center, where Sen. John McCain was preparing to address the GOP faithful.

He said the objective was to contain the protestors and keep them from reaching the convention hall.
Police fire gas when dozens of marchers — most of them in their 20s, some chanting "F…… the police! F…… the police! F…… 'em!" — tried to cross the overpass after being warned not to.

As a line of police clad in riot gear and walking with bicycles approached a woman who refused to get out of their way, several sprayed her with a liquid. She covered her eyes with one hand and raised two fingers of the other hand in both hands in a vee.

A man standing nearby yelled, "I love you! Why are you doing this?" as the woman was shoved to the pavement.

Each time the protesters attempted to cross the highway that separated them from the convention center by about a mile, police attempted to stop them.

At one point, police on horses, motorcycles and bicycles followed marchers on a street-to-street chase that led through a shopping mall parking lot.

Cindy McCain spoke Thursday night in St. Paul.

(CNN)–Cindy McCain is giving a long, personal speech — as did Michelle Obama. And she's doing a fine job, as did Michelle.

I don't think even Hillary Clinton gave such a long and substantial speech on behalf of her husband in 1992. We have entered a new era in politics, and Michelle and Cindy are a big part of it.

Watch: Cindy McCain's entire speech Thursday

I will note that Democrats have not attacked Cindy the way Republicans have attacked Michelle. Even mild-mannered Mitt Romney bitterly and unfairly attacked Michelle last night.

Attacking the wife is clearly a Republican thing — recall how Bush supporters smeared Cindy McCain during the 2000 South Carolina primary, then how they bitterly attacked Teresa Heinz Kerry in 2004. It's a classic double standard and a typical Republican philosophy: do as I say, not as I do.

Cindy McCain's sons joined her on stage Thursday night.

CINDY MCCAIN: Thank you everyone.

John and I are so proud of them and so happy to have them here with us tonight.

Nothing has made me happier or more fulfilled in my life than being a mother.

But while John and I take great joy in having been able to spend time together this week as a family, our hearts go out to the thousands of families who have had to leave their homes once again due to devastating weather.

It is not only our natural instinct to rally to them, to lift them up with our prayers and come to their aid, it is also our duty to our country.

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The crowd cheered for Cindy McCain and her family Thursday night.

ST. PAUL (CNN) — The people closest to John McCain are beginning to appear on the podium as we approach prime time and the Arizona senator's acceptance speech. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has been there since the beginning, turns the subject to Iraq and the surge. The Iraq war overwhelmingly unpopular in the country — but largely supported in this room of GOP activists.

Tom Ridge spoke Thursday night at the Republican National Convention.

FORMER PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR TOM RIDGE: Thank you. Tonight I speak to you with a grateful heart and enormous pride.

I speak to you as one friend about another.

About a proven leader… a world statesman… an untiring and effective public servant. I speak to you about a warrior…who has sometimes stood alone… or shown the way… in fighting for the most vulnerable of our citizens… for the country he so dearly loves… and for the founding principles we all so deeply cherish.

I speak to you about a friend - who was first pointed out to me - in the same way he is proudly pointed out wherever he goes today - "That's John McCain."

John and I have been friends for 26 years.

Both of us got elected to Congress in 1982 and both of us are Vietnam veterans.

Some might say that is our common bond. For certainly the Vietnam experience is a uniting one.

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Eugene Mirman and friends visit the CNN Grill.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – Comedian Eugene Mirman would have arrived at the “CNN Grill” earlier had he not been detained by the U.S. Secret Service for his pants – apparently puffs of smoke were pouring out of one of his pockets.

“I was wearing a helmet and some goggles, and then I had some instant food that when you pulled the cord, the food heated up. What I didn’t know about the food I bought, which is my fault, is that it starts smoking,” he explained.

Mirman is at the Republican convention producing a series of funny, original videos for a Web site. If you’re trying to place the face: think the landlord in HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords.”

The comedian had rave reviews for the Secret Service, however, who he described as “extremely polite.”

The helmet and goggles are still a mystery.

Sen. Graham spoke Thursday night in St. Paul.

(CNN)– I'm trying so hard to care about what Lindsey Graham has to say.

"Thank God," he said, "for Joe Lieberman." Well, okay. Sure, Lindsey. You can have him. But I love the notion that the Republicans would cheer for a pro-choice (including supporting so-called "partial birth abortion"), pro-gay-rights, anti-tax cut member of the eastern elite.

Graham is a pleasant man, but he should leave the rough stuff to folks like Governor Palin. Poor Lindsey is miscast as an attack dog, more like a pit puppy. Even McCain calls him "Lindsey-boy." But nice try Senator Graham.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty addressed the Republican convention Thursday night, but it was a far cry from the VP address that many once thought he would give.

His address Thursday came early — around 7 p.m. local time. Delegates were still filing in as he was speaking, and many inside the Xcel Center talked throughout his speech.

The delegations seated close to the stage were paying attention and chanting "John McCain," but in other parts of the room, it was hard to hear what he was saying over all of the chatter.

Pawlenty was considered one of the top contenders for John McCain's VP slot on the GOP ticket.

Gov. Sarah Palin's speech Wednesday night fired up Republican delegates.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin came out swinging Wednesday night, but it's going to take more than just fighting words to win over the independent and undecided voters who hold the election in their hands.

Palin's speech at the Republican National Convention marked her first major address as the Republican vice presidential candidate.

The Alaska governor tore into Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama as two-faced, arrogant and unable to lead while she painted Republican candidate John McCain as courageous reformer who is ready to take charge.

Her prime time address was full of humor and sarcasm. Her tone was a hit with delegates watching in St. Paul, Minnesota, but it didn't resonate well with everyone outside of the Republican circle.

"She came across as angry and overconfident," said Kuntal Warwick, an independent voter from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Palin had little to say about policy, and her speech was full "of smugness and mockery," Warwick said.

Independents like Warwick, combined with voters who have yet to make up their mind, are the ones who could decide who ends up in the White House.

"The base of the Democratic and Republican parties — their votes are predictable," said John Avlon, author of "Independent Nation: How Centrists Can Change American Politics." "It's the swing voters who decide who's going to carry the balance of power, who will ultimately win that election state-by-state and even nationwide."

Avlon didn't have a problem with Palin's tone. He said her humor and confidence will probably appeal to the independents, but it's the lack of substance that will leave that group in search of something more.

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Watch: Sen. Graham's entire speech.

U.S. SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM: By every measure, the surge of troops into Iraq has worked.

Sectarian violence and coalition casualties are at record lows.

15 of the 18 political benchmarks have been met.

The Iraqi's have a larger, more capable Army. Oil production is dramatically increasing.

This week, Anbar Province, once an Al Qaeda stronghold, was turned over to the Iraqis. And all American combat brigades who made up the surge have returned home.

We know the surge has worked. Our men and women in uniform know it has worked.

I promise you — above all others — Al Qaeda knows it has worked.

The only people who deny it are Barack Obama and his buddies at MoveOn.org.

Why won't they admit it?

Because Barack Obama's campaign is built around us losing in Iraq. Without John McCain's courageous leadership there would be no surge.

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Gov. Palin waved to the crowd, that greeted her with a long standing ovation, before she spoke at the GOP convention Wednesday. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) — Republicans nominated Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be their vice-presidential candidate, making her the first woman ever to run for the office as a Republican.

Palin was nominated on a voice vote which Sen. Mitch McConnell recognized as unanimous approval, prompting chants of "Sarah! Sarah!"

Watch: The GOP officially nominates Palin as VP

Palin thrilled the convention Wednesday night with a barnstorming speech attacking Democratic nominee Barack Obama, touting her credentials as a reformer, and praising her running mate, Sen. John McCain.

Outside the convention hall, reactions to her speech have been mixed, if generally powerful.

The Republican National Committee said Thursday it had raised $1 million since the speech. The Obama campaign said it had raised $8 million in the same period.

Cindy McCain will speak Thursday.

(CNN) – The Republican National committee has released excperts of Cindy McCain's speech Thursday night:

On Americans' duty to their country:
"That duty is what brings me before you tonight. And it's much larger and more important than just me or John or any of us: It's the work of this great country calling us together - and there is no greater duty than that, no more essential task for our generation — right now."

On John McCain's character:
"It's going to take someone of unusual strength and character - someone exactly like my husband - to lead us through the reefs and currents that lie ahead. I know John. You can trust his hand at the wheel."

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