By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent
ST. PAUL (Reuters) - Republicans John McCain and SarahPalin kicked off a two-month battle for the White House onFriday with a promise that "change is coming," a theme co-optedfrom their Democratic rivals.
McCain touted his credentials as a reformer and portrayedhimself as the real agent of change in the race against BarackObama as he accepted his party's presidential nomination in anarena filled with supporters waving blue "Country First" signs.
"I don't work for a party. I don't work for a specialinterest. I don't work for myself. I work for you," McCain saidin a speech that included only passing criticisms of Obamaafter a four-day convention marked by scathing attacks on theDemocrat.
"I've fought corruption, and it didn't matter if theculprits were Democrats or Republicans," McCain said as Palin,his surprise running mate, watched from the stands.
The reception for McCain's remarks was more muted than forPalin's fiery acceptance speech on Wednesday, which directedrepeated barbs at Obama and drew roars from the crowd,energizing the party's conservative base.
McCain trails Obama slightly in most national opinion pollsas they head into the November 4 presidential election, but hepromised the Republican faithful he would win.
"And after we've won, we're going to reach out our hand toany willing patriot, make this government start working for youagain, and get this country back on the road to prosperity andpeace," McCain said.
McCain and Palin joined their families on stage after thespeech as balloons and confetti drifted over the arena.
Outside, police arrested 250 anti-war protesters marchingto the venue after using flash grenades and teargas to herdthem onto a bridge. Inside, McCain was interrupted severaltimes by anti-war protesters. Police hauled two women out ofthe arena.
McCain has been one of the most outspoken supporters ofU.S. military involvement in Iraq.
'DON'T BE DIVERTED'
"Please don't be diverted by the ground noise and thestatic," McCain said as the protesters were forced out."Americans want us to stop yelling at each other."
The Obama campaign said McCain had offered more of the samepolicies of the last eight years under President George W. Bushand the other Republicans.
"He admonished the 'old, do-nothing crowd' in Washington,but ignored the fact that he's been part of that crowd for 26years, opposing solutions on health care, energy andeducation," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said.
"He talked about bipartisanship, but didn't mention thathe's been a Bush partisan 90 percent of the time," he said.
With the conventions and the selections of running matesout of the way, the next big campaign milestone is the first ofthree debates, on September 26 in Oxford, Mississippi.
Palin, the Alaska governor, meets Obama's No. 2, DelawareSen. Joe Biden, in a debate of vice presidential candidates onOctober 2 in St. Louis.
During his speech, McCain said he had a record of workingacross party lines on issues. He said Obama had not shown thesame ability.
"I've worked with members of both parties to fix problemsthat need to be fixed," he said. "I will reach out my hand toanyone to help me get this country moving again. I have thatrecord and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not."
McCain also recounted his experience as a prisoner of warin Vietnam, where he was beaten and tortured during 5 1/2 yearsof captivity, and said it taught him to put America first inhis priorities.
"I hate war. It is terrible beyond imagination," saidMcCain. "I'm running for president to keep the country I lovesafe, and prevent other families from risking their loved onesin war as my family has."
McCain said he recognized that many families had been leftbehind by the faltering U.S. economy.
"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 onyour side and fight for your future," he said.
McCain and Palin flew out of Minnesota immediately afterthe convention ended on Thursday night, heading to Wisconsinfor a morning campaign event and later in the day to Michiganand Colorado and on Saturday to New Mexico.
Palin, who has been shielded from most public events andhas not done interviews with news reporters since she waspicked for the job, heads out on her own on the campaign trailnext week.
Obama will campaign in Pennsylvania on Friday.
