Before 20,000 cheering supporters, John McCain promised decreased taxes and government and strong leadership as he accepted the Republican presidential nomination Thursday night in the final night of his party’s convention in Saint Paul.

“We're going to recover the people's trust by standing up again for the values Americans admire. The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics,” said McCain, who eight years before lost a shot at his party's nomination.

Casting his vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and himself as political reformers that have always worked independently of Washington, McCain delivered a wide-ranging speech that promised tax cuts, more jobs, stronger educational standards and increased oil drilling. He also sought to tamp down criticism by the Democrats that the Republicans hadn't addressed the battered economy at the convention, saying he recognized tough times for many.

“I've fought corruption, and it didn't matter if the culprits were Democrats or Republicans. They violated their public trust, and had to be held accountable,” said McCain. “I've fought big spenders in both parties, who waste your money on things you neither need nor want, while you struggle to buy groceries, fill your gas tank and make your mortgage payment.”

Early on during McCain’s speech, several protesters held up signs objecting to his voting record, which the crowd shouted down with chants of "USA, USA." At least one sign was ripped away by delegates and a woman wearing a pink shirt bearing pro-choice slogans was led away by security.

Delayed by the protests and the chanting, McCain laughed and shrugged off the dissent.

“Please don’t be diverted by the ground noise and the static,” said McCain. “Americans want us to stop yelling at each other.”

In the emotional center of his speech, McCain said that he had the war experience to serve as commander-in-chief, and directly attacked Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama for lacking such service.

"I have that record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not," said McCain.

He also explained his foreign policy, which would mix diplomacy with the option of retaliation against international threats.

“I know the good and the evil in it,” said McCain. “I know how to work with leaders who share our dreams of a freer, safer and more prosperous world, and how to stand up to those who don't. I know how to secure the peace.”

McCain strove to distance himself from the current White House, and call for a new era of post-partisanship, while not alienating the party faithful with whom Bush remains popular.

"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. I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again," said McCain.

Evoking his campaign slogan, "Country First," he also recalled his five-and-a-half-year ordeal as a prisoner of war, and called on Americans to serve their country as soldiers, teachers, ministers and civil servants.

“My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God,” said the Arizona senator.

While the Democratic National Convention ended with an outdoor fireworks display, the Republican National Convention ended with a more traditional indoors balloon and confetti drop.

The Brooks and Dunn song "Only In America" played over the loudspeakers, in response to Obama's playing the same song at the end of his convention. The Democrat played the song since President George Bush had originally used it during his 2004 convention.

Earlier in the night, McCain’s wife Cindy introduced her husband and family by speaking about their moral outlook and values, to present them as a potential First Family.

"I was born and raised in the American West, and I will always see the world through the prism of its values,” said Cindy McCain, describing her upbringing, her marriage, her husband’s war experience and their adoption of a Bangladeshi daughter.

She also praised Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as a good match for what she called her husband’s politically-independent spirit.

“It’s a good idea to have a woman’s hand on the wheel as well,” joked Cindy McCain.

She also said her husband would uphold traditional values and lead the country in wartime.

“John McCain is a steadfast man who will not break with our heritage,” said the candidate’s wife.

The Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota was made over to resemble a town hall. Workers removed the podium and added a platform to allow the candidate to walk out and interact more closely with the audience.

Several big name Republicans addressed the crowd before the McCains, including Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Kansas Senator Sam Brownback.

GOP officials also added more speakers to tonight's lineup, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge.

Excitement in the party has been growing, with support among conservatives increasing dramatically following the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as running mate. Palin formally accepted the nomination Wednesday night, and the duo will campaign together in Wisconsin on Friday.

Speakers throughout the convention highlighted McCain's military past and his reputation as a tough decision maker unafraid of taking on the establishment.

If elected, the 72-year-old would become the oldest man ever elected to a first term as president.

Wednesday night, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin made history as the first female republican vice presidential nominee.

"Mr. Chairman, delegates and fellow citizens, I will be honored to accept your nomination for vice president of the United States," said Palin.

In her acceptance speech, Palin called herself an outsider who will help McCain bring change to Washington. She took aim at the criticism that as a former mayor of a small town and a first-term governor, she is not qualified to be vice president – contrasting her experience with that of Barack Obama.

"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer' except that you have actual responsibilities," she said.

Palin relished the attack dog role – saying McCain would be the only president who could protect America from terrorism, a role for which she says Obama is unqualified.

"Terrorist states are seeking nuclear weapons without delay. [Obama] wants to meet them without preconditions," said Palin. "Al-Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America; he's worried that someone won't read them their rights?"

Earlier Wednesday, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani took the podium – declaring McCain the man Americans should trust to lead the country through difficult times.

Giuliani, who had hoped to be the one accepting the Republican nomination in St. Paul, went to bat for his friend McCain, attacking his opponent's leadership credentials.

"[Obama's] never run a city, he's never run a state, he's never run a business," said Giuliani. "He's never run a military unit. He's never had to lead people in crisis."

While Republicans went on the attack against him in Minnesota, Barack Obama said Thursday that the GOP was avoiding the real campaign issues.

Obama campaigned in York and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and said the GOP convention focused too much on personalities and not enough on the issues.

"What'd you guys expect? I anticipated this last Thursday in my acceptance speech. This is what they do," said Obama. "They don't have agenda to run on, they haven't offered a single concrete idea so far in two nights on how to make the lives better. They've spent the entire two nights attacking me or extolling John McCain's biography."

Obama heads to New Jersey Friday for two fundraisers. Rocker Jon Bon Jovi is hosting one of the events at his Jersey Shore mansion, where tickets are said to cost nearly $31,000.