September 5, 2008 McCain Part 1: Accepts GOP nomination with confidence Play video

(NECN: St. Paul, MN) - Sen. John McCain has accepted the Republican presidential nomination. "I accept it with gratitude, humility and confidence."

He said that in his life, nothing has come without a good fight, and his nomination was no different. He then acknowledged his opponents and their supporters.

TO SEE PART TWO OF McCAIN'S SPEECH, CLICK HERE TO SEE PART THREE OF McCAIN'S SPEECH, CLICK HERE TO SEE PART FOUR OF McCAIN'S SPEECH, CLICK HERE TO SEE PART FIVE OF McCAIN'S SPEECH, CLICK HERE TO SEE PART SIX OF McCAIN'S SPEECH, CLICK HERE TO SEE PART SEVEN OF McCAIN'S SPEECH, CLICK HERE

He thanked his wife, and seven children, saying "the pleasures of family life can seem like a brief holiday from the crowded calendar of our nation's business. But I have treasured them all the more."

Than he acknowledged Barack Obama, saying the two will "go at it" but assured him that he has his respect and admiration.

BELOW ARE PREPARED REMARKS FROM PART 1 OF SEN. MCCAIN'S SPEECH AT RNC:

Thank you all very much. Tonight, I have a privilege given few Americans -- the privilege of accepting our party's nomination for President of the United

In my life, no success has come without a good fight, and this nomination wasn't any different. That's a tribute to the candidates who opposed me and their supporters. They're leaders of great ability, who love our country, and wished to lead it to better days. Their support is an honor I won't forget.

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; and to the First Lady, Laura Bush, a model of grace and kindness in public and in private. And I'm grateful to the 41st President and his bride of 63 years, and for their outstanding example of honorable service to our country.

As always, I'm indebted to my wife, Cindy, and my seven children. The pleasures of family life can seem like a brief holiday from the crowded calendar of our nation's business. But I have treasured them all the more, and can't imagine a life without the happiness you give me. Cindy said a lot of nice things about me tonight. But, in truth, she's more my inspiration than I am hers. Her concern for those less blessed than we are - victims of land mines, children born in poverty and with birth defects - shows the measure of her humanity. I know she will make a great First Lady.

When I was growing up, my father was often at sea, and the job of raising my brother, sister and me would fall to my mother alone. Roberta McCain gave us her love of life, her deep interest in the world, her strength, and her belief we are all meant to use our opportunities to make ourselves useful to our country. I wouldn't be here tonight but for the strength of her character.

My heartfelt thanks to all of you, who helped me win this nomination, and stood by me when the odds were long. I won't let you down. To Americans who have yet to decide who to vote for, thank you for your consideration and the opportunity to win your trust. I intend to earn it.

Finally, a word to Senator Obama and his supporters. We'll go at it over the next two months. That's the nature of these contests, and there are big differences between us. But you have my respect and admiration. Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us. We are fellow Americans, an association that means more to me than any other. We're dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal and endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights. No country ever had a greater cause than that. And I wouldn't be an American worthy of the name if I didn't honor Senator Obama and his supporters for their achievement.

But let there be no doubt, my friends, we're going to win this election.