McCain acceptance speech draft circulating

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- John McCain's speechwriter has written a draft of the likely U.S. presidential nominee's address to the Republican National Convention, campaign officials say.

The Washington Post reported Friday that McCain speechwriter Mark Salter is circulating the draft of the 21-minute speech to a group of McCain's aides. Salter is expected to deliver the speech draft to the Arizona senator by Aug. 18.

At a fundraiser Friday in Des Moines, Iowa, McCain sought to lower expectations, saying his speech will pale in comparison to the one likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama will deliver to his party's nominating convention in August.

"I know, by the way, and you know, that Senator Obama will give a great speech at their convention before 75,000 people in Denver," McCain said. "And I don't expect to match up to that. ... He's very, very good. But I think its going to be substance that matters. And I think it's going to be vision for America and I think it's going to be concrete plans of action."