John McCain accepted the Republican nomination for president in Saint Paul Thursday night, after becoming the nominee-in-waiting in March.

His wife Cindy warmed up the crowd by first introducing the couple's seven children.

Then, after an introductory video, Senator McCain took the stage.

He started by formally accepting the nomination before several anti-war protesters tried to disrupt his speech.

McCain went on to send a message to his Democratic rival, and his supporters.

"We'll go at it over the next two months, you know that's the nature of this business," McCain said. "And there are big differences between us. But you have my respect and my admiration. Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us. We are fellow Americans, and that's an association that means more to me than any other."

Mccain also said his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, was a great choice for a vice-president.

With McCain's acceptance, Palin officially became the first woman Republican vice-presidential nominee.