By JACK PALMER

palmer@crescent-news.com

On a day when the Dow Jones Industrials plunged more than 340 points, an assertive John McCain told Americans to keep fighting for change and "what's right for our country."

"I think he did a great job," said Ted Penner, chairman of the Defiance County Republican Party central committee, who watched the speech on television. "He showed he had the character, judgment and values to lead the country on security, taxes, energy and empowerment."

McCain, a long shot candidate 12 months ago, accepted the GOP nomination for president Thursday at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minn. In doing so, he essentially declared his independence from the Bush administration.

"John McCain talked to the whole country," said Penner. "His whole campaign has not been focused on the base, so why start now? But he still did an excellent job reassuring the base while reaching out to swing voters, whether you call them Reagan Democrats or Clinton Democrats or independent-minded."

Penner said he was pleased McCain laid out specifics on such issues as energy, education and job retraining. The GOP nominee called education "the civil rights issue of the century," reprising identical words used by candidate George W. Bush in 2000.

McCain stated that the country "should stop sending money to countries who don't like us" and encouraged citizens toward community or national service. He advocated reaching out to Democrats and fighting corruption, even within his own party.

"It was about as much populism as you're going to see out of a Republican ticket," said Penner. "It sort of reminded me of Ronald Reagan, although that's a high bar. It's the attitude that we're all Americans and we can accomplish anything."

Early in the speech, McCain honored Barack Obama for his achievement in capturing the Democratic nomination, despite their clear differences in policy.

"As Americans, there is more that unites us than divides us," said McCain.

Penner also praised the speech of vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on Wednesday.

"Her job was to fire up the base and she did that in great style," said Penner. "She delivered great one-liners. These last two nights were very different speeches, but they (McCain and Palin) are very different people."

The most emotional part of McCain's speech came at the very end, when he recounted the horrific trials he endured while held as an enemy prisoner during the Vietnam War.

"I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need," said McCain. "My country saved me and I cannot forget it."

"I thought it was a great week for Republicans," Penner concluded. "America got a good look at our ticket. That was the goal of the convention."