McCain, during the evening session of the first day of the Republican
National Convention
Republicans hope to show voters a softer side on the second day of their convention today, with first lady Mrs Laura Bush and movie star turned California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger taking centre stage.
Mrs Bush will share personal insights about President George W. Bush and his leadership, while Mr Schwarzenegger steps into his biggest national spotlight since taking on his new role as a substantive political leader last year.
Both speeches, and most of the night's "People of Compassion" theme, are part of a Republican push to appeal to swing voters by featuring their most moderate voices.
Mrs Bush said she would focus on telling delegates why her husband should be re-elected and not on attacking his Democratic opponent, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.
"What you are going to hear tonight is about George Bush ... and how important it is to re-elect him," Mrs Bush told ABC's Good Morning Americashow.
Recent polls show Mr Bush, who will accept the nomination for another White House term in a televised speech on Thursday, gaining ground and in some cases moving ahead of Mr Kerry nationally and in key states.
A new Washington Post/ABC poll released today had the two candidates in a virtual dead heat, with the president holding a clear advantage on national security issues.
Among registered voters, the poll found 48 per cent would vote for Mr Bush while 47 per cent said they would choose his opponent. The margin of error was plus or minus three percentage points.
More than half - 53 per cent - said Mr Bush was more qualified than Mr Kerry to be commander in chief while 43 per cent of respondents preferred the Democrat. On August 1st, 52 per cent of respondents thought Mr Kerry was better qualified versus 44 per cent who trusted Mr Bush more with the job.
On opening night at the convention former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain, who both have strong appeal for moderates and swing voters, lead an impassioned salute to Mr Bush's leadership after the September 11th, attacks and his tough response in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Mr Bush will visit Iowa and Pennsylvania after a morning stop in Nashville, Tennessee, where he will speak to the annual convention of the American Legion veterans' group.
Mr Kerry will speak to the veterans' group tomorrow. Mr Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, has been embroiled for weeks in a battle with a pro-Bush group of Vietnam veterans who have questioned his war record and medals.
Democrats have accused Mr Bush of abandoning the "compassionate conservative" principles he espoused during the 2000 presidential campaign with his push for huge tax cuts and his record of about 1.8 million lost jobs.