John McCain accepted the GOP nomination Thursday with a speech that reflected his maverick reputation and promised that "change is coming" to Washington. You can use this video and compare his speech to that of Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Quotes (These are just some suggestions-- you can choose your own from the transcript -please add them to the discussion in the comments section below): "I'm grateful to the president for leading us in those dark days following the worst attack on American soil in our history, and keeping us safe from another attack many thought was inevitable." "When we tell you we're going to change Washington, and stop leaving our country's problems for some unluckier generation to fix, you can count on it. We've got a record of doing just that, and the strength, experience, judgment and backbone to keep our word to you." "I fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq, when it wasn't a popular thing to do. And when the pundits said my campaign was finished, I said I'd rather lose an election than see my country lose a war." "I fight to restore the pride and principles of our party. We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us. We lost the trust of the American people when some Republicans gave in to the temptations of corruption." "I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can. My opponent will raise them. I will open new markets to our goods and services. My opponent will close them. I will cut government spending. He will increase it." "Education is the civil rights issue of this century. Equal access to public education has been gained. But what is the value of access to a failing school? We need to shake up failed school bureaucracies with competition, empower parents with choice, remove barriers to qualified instructors, attract and reward good teachers, and help bad teachers find another line of work." "I hate war. It is terrible beyond imagination. I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe, and prevent other families from risking their loved ones in war as my family has." Warm Up Questions 1. Who is John McCain and what do you know about him? 2. Did you watch any of the Republican or Democratic conventions - how do you think it went? 3. John McCain has chosen the governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, as his running mate, what do you think of her and their campaign? Discussion Questions 1. What did you think of this speech? 2. What were the best parts, what were the worst? 3. John McCain is trying to convince voters that he represents change even though a Republican has been in the White House for 8 years, how did he try to make that point? 4. Do you think McCain's speech would change the minds of undecided voters? 5. Who watches the conventions? Do you think more people will watch this year? Why or why not? 6. Do you think people who don't want to vote for McCain will ever see the speech? If you were an McCain adviser, what would you tell him to do to communicate with voters who did not watch the convention? Additional Resources Transcript of John McCain's Speech Sarah Palin's Acceptance Speech Coverage of Vote 2008 Speeches from the Republican Convention