Domestically, McCain said, he would reduce corporate and capital gains taxes, reform the tax code, end budgetary earmarks, retrain laid-off workers, and make healthcare more accessible and more affordable.
McCain also signaled a change in relations with Congress with a swipe at Bush, who has described himself as "the decider" and who has overseen a shift in the balance of power toward the executive branch. One of his controversial acts has been to append "signing statements" to bills he signs into law in order to limit their scope.
"I am presumptuous enough to think I would be a good president, but not so much that I believe I can govern by command," McCain said, adding later: "I will not subvert the purpose of legislation I have signed by making statements that indicate I will enforce only the parts of it I like."
McCain's speech drew immediate fire from Clinton, who said his vision of Iraq was an extension of Bush administration policies but who let pass the other elements of his speech. An Obama spokesman said McCain would continue Bush's policies.
Spokesman Hari Sevugan said: "While Sen. Obama agrees with many of the sentiments Sen. McCain expressed today, he believes you cannot embrace the destructive policies and divisive political tactics of George Bush and still offer yourself as a candidate of healing and change. That's simply not straight talk."
McCain, trying to seize some ground from Obama -- whose rhetoric of change has given him a commanding lead in the Democratic delegate count -- said he was the best choice for forging a new sense of bipartisan politics in Washington.
"Washington has been consumed by a hyper-partisanship that treats every serious challenge facing us as an opportunity to trade insults, disparage each other's motives and fight about the next election," McCain said. "I will work with anyone who sincerely wants to get this country moving again."
McCain mentioned illegal immigration -- a flash point during the Republican nomination fight -- far into his speech, after comments about federal judgeships and before a call to national service.
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scott.martelle@latimes.com
