McCain vows to bring change to Washington

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Republican presidential nominee John McCain Sunday told supporters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that if elected he will change Washington.

McCain told those attending a campaign rally that Democratic nominee Barack Obama offers more of the same, CNN reported.

"I'm going to give you a little straight talk today ... with your help we're going to win here and we're going to bring change to Washington, D.C. We're going to bring change," McCain said.

McCain criticized attacks on his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

"I don't defend her. I praise her," McCain said. "She has more executive experience than Senator (Joe) Biden and Senator Obama together."

McCain said although he and Palin disagree on some issues, it was "because we are both mavericks," CNN reported.

"But we share the same goal of cleaning up Washington. We will clean up and reform Washington together, and she has the credentials, and the vision, and the dynamism and the strength to do that," he said.