MINNESOTA - REPUBLICAN John McCain accepted the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday, warning Washington politicians that 'change is coming' and denouncing the 'partisan rancour' he said was gripping the country's ruling establishment that he has been a part of for more than two decades.

The four-term Arizona senator was met with extended applause from delegates to the Republican National Convention and guests crammed into the Excel Energy Centre and declared himself the only choice for voters who want an end to gridlock in Washington and the tradition of politicians 'who work for themselves and not you.'

Mr McCain was seriously horning in on Democratic candidate Barack Obama's message of change, apparently hoping to blunt the Democratic assertion that a McCain victory on November 4 would mean four more years of the polices of unpopular President George W. Bush.

The Republican standard-bearer was taking on a precarious task to present his credentials as a reformer willing to challenge his own party and stressing his independence from Bush without alienating his base.

'Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming,' Mr McCain said.

Mr McCain was interrupted by a protester about 10 minutes into his address. The partisan audience chanted 'USA, USA' in unison to drown out the man's message.

Mr McCain stopped speaking briefly, laughed, and said 'please ignore the brown noise and static.' He opened his speech with a bow to Mr Obama, saying, 'You have my respect and admiration. Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us.'

But he made it clear he would not let that stop a vigorous campaign. 'Let there be no doubt, my friends, we're going to win this election.' -- AP