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." Watch "We're going to win this election" »
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McCain: "We need to change the way government does almost everything"
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McCain says he and Sarah Palin will "shake up Washington"
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Cindy McCain says her husband has "shown the value of self-sacrifice"
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Lindsey Graham says Barack Obama is bent on "losing in Iraq"
John McCain
McCain
McCain
He said there would be Democrats and independents in a @placeholder presidential administration.
Iraq
His remarks on @placeholder were brief, reminding delegates that he fought for the "right strategy and more troops ... when it wasn't a popular thing to do."
Alaska
Republicans nominated the @placeholder governor Thursday to be their vice presidential candidate, making her the first woman to run for the office as a Republican.
John McCain
McCain
McCain
I'm just saying he doesn't get it," he said, echoing Obama's dig at @placeholder during Obama's acceptance speech last week.
Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
As governor of Alaska, @placeholder has won praise for backing tough ethical standards for politicians.
Washington
Washington
"She's a hockey mom -- a hunter, a hard-hitting reformer -- and quite frankly, she's not afraid to raise a little hell amidst the @placeholder elite.
John McCain
McCain
McCain
He said @placeholder "understands the concerns of everyday Americans like you and me."