RNC becomes love fest for McCain, Palin

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Confetti and balloons fell from the rafters onto Republican presidential nominee John McCain Thursday at the conclusion of the party convention in St. Paul.

After McCain urged listeners to "Fight for what's right for our country," a recording of country singer John Rich's "Raising McCain" played as 100,000 balloons and 200 pounds of confetti floated onto the convention floor at the Xcel Energy Center, and onto McCain and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on stage.

Speakers throughout the evening stressed McCain's experience in foreign and domestic policy matters, and took shots at Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on issues such as the Iraq war and his Senate record.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, considered to be on the short list of vice presidential candidates until McCain tapped Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, said the world will know "where America stands" with McCain as president.

"And when John McCain is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America," Pawlenty said, "we know he will always put our country first."

During McCain's acceptance speech, a few protesters stood on the steps looking down on the arena carrying a sign "McCain votes against vets" were greeted by shouts of "USA! USA! USA!" from those on the convention floor, normally the home for the Minnesota Wild hockey team.

"My friends, please don't be diverted by the ground noise and the static," he said as one protester in a separate incident was led up a stairwell.