McCain accepts party's nomination, promises to create jobs

ST. PAUL, Sept 5 (Reuters) Republican John McCain cast himself as an independent-minded reformer Thursday, vowed change is coming if he is elected president and promised to create millions of jobs by developing new energy sources.brMcCain accepted his party's presidential nomination in a packed convention hall, insisting he can pull off the kind of change that Democrat Barack Obama talks about in a year Americans are hungry for new leadership.brIn a rousing conclusion to his 48-minute address, McCain was nearly drowned out by cheers from the crowd when he vowed to fight for Americans if they elect him over Obama on November 4brConfetti and balloons rained down from the ceiling in celebration as McCain was joined on stage by his wife Cindy and his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who wowed Republicans by tossing zingers at Obama on Wednesday.brThe 72-year-old Arizona senator, who bears the scars of 5-12 years as a Vietnam prisoner of war, launched a two-month campaign to win the White House, entering the push to Election Day as the underdog with most polls showing Obama ahead.brHe said he admired Obama but that they had big differences and told his supporters, We're going to win this election.brMcCain, portrayed as no different than unpopular President George W. Bush by Obama and the Democrats, tried to reclaim his image as a Republican maverick in hopes of attracting independent voters likely to be key to the election.brHe promised he would bring Democrats and independents into his government if he won.brUnder attack from Democrats for not having focused on the weak U.S. economy at his convention this week, McCain outlined an energy plan that he said would wean the United States from its dependence on foreign oil.brThis great national cause will create millions of new jobs, many in industries that will be the engine of our future prosperity -- jobs that will be there when your children enter the workforce, he said.