Republicans believe in a government "that doesn't makes your choices for you, but works to make sure you have more choices to make for yourself," McCain said when accepting the party's presidential nomination during the Republican National Convention's final session.

The Arizona senator pledged to keep taxes low and cut taxes when possible, as well as seek out new markets for U.S. goods and services. His healthcare plan would make it easier for more people to find and keep healthcare insurance, McCain said.

The jobs program in a McCain administration would "help workers who've lost a job that won't come back, find a new one that won't go away."

Calling education "the civil rights issue of this century," McCain pledged to "shake up" the public school system, and attract and reward good teachers.

He vowed that the United States would produce more energy at home under his administration.

"We will drill new wells offshore, and we'll drill them now," he said, adding that he would also build more nuclear power plants, develop clean coal energy and increase alternate energy sources.

McCain said he wasn't afraid of threats the United States faces, but prepared for them.

"I know how the military works," he said. "I know how the world works. ... 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."