By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer 
(ST.PAUl, MINN.) The newly minted Republican presidential nominee – Sen. John McCain – touted his presidency Thursday night, saying he is the candidate to bring about change and elevate America above the bipartisanship and disunity of the past several years.

Almost sounding apologetic for the past eight years, McCain told the 18,000 Republican Party faithfuls, gathered at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, “These are tough times for many of you. You’re worried about keeping your job or finding a new one, and you are struggling to put food on the table and stay in your home. All you ever asked of government is to stand on your side, not in your way. And that’s just what I intend to do: stand on your side and fight for your future.”

McCain reminded supporters that he was a “maverick” in the party and that he is ready to unify the nation and “fight” for change.  “Let’s use the best ideas from both sides,” he said.

The video introducing McCain’s life journey focused a great deal on his military service and his years as a prisoner of war.  The presentation was serious, somber and filled with black-and-white photographs and footage that reminded everyone that his life story couldn’t be told in color. 

There was no mention of his first marriage or photographs of his three children from his first marriage; his 96-year-old mother was the interview of record for the piece.

But McCain’s age is something C.T. Wright, a 65-year-old African-American delegate from Arizona, told me appeals to him.  “He’s experienced; he knows what he’s doing,” Wright said. “He has courage in life, and he’s overcome even being a prisoner of war.”   

Wright, a retired former president of Cheney College in Pennsylvania, moved to Arizona 18 years ago. He was the only Black delegate in the Arizona delegation.  “He’s not a rock start but a solid rock,” Wright said. 

McCain told the crowd he wasn’t going to abandon his reputation as a maverick.  “What it really means is 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.

Lula Bridges, an African-American delegate from Macon County, Ala., told me, “His experience counts.”  Bridges, 51, is a social worker. She said his stance on issues, like abortion and gay marriage, are also important.

McCain may have to do more to woo those conservatives who are still doubtful he’s one of them. 

“Again and again, I’ve worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed. That’s how I will govern as president,” McCain said.

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