ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- With the Republican National Convention
now behind him, John McCain is looking ahead to the final weeks
leading up to the November election.

McCain and his ticketmate, Sarah Palin, will be meeting with
voters today in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, before holding a rally in
Sterling Heights, Michigan.

McCain styled himself as a POW turned political rebel in his
acceptance speech last night. He vowed to vanquish what he termed
the "constant partisan rancor" that grips Washington. The Arizona
senator promised the roaring Republican crowd that "change is
coming."

McCain made only passing reference to an unpopular President
Bush and criticized fellow Republicans as well as Democratic rival
Barack Obama in reaching out to independents and swing voters who
will pick the next president.

The polls indicate a close race between McCain and Obama, with
the outcome likely to be decided in scattered swing states in the
industrial Midwest and the Southwest.