Ladies and Gentlemen, I remember a few months back, when I said we had entered political silly season. This summer, though, we were treated to promises that John McCain would run an honorable campaign. That word is one that I often associate with John for his heroic service.

But ladies and gentlemen, "Honorable" is hardly the word to describe what kinds of ads my opponent is running. Instead of talking about gas prices, he bringing up Britney Spears. Instead of talking about American security, he's airing ads of Paris Hilton. And worst of all, he's not telling you the truth.

And let's be clear, it's not just me who is saying this. If this was football, there would be flags bring thrown all over the place for a penalty. And not just from one official - we've got flags from the referee, the line judge, the umpire, the field judge, the side judge, the back judge, and the head linesman.

John McCain keeps saying I would raise taxes on everyone, when my tax plan decreases taxes for anyone making under 250 THOUSAND dollars. How many of you make that much?

John McCain keeps saying that I don't pay attention to conditions on the ground in Iraq, when he was the person who said General Petraeus rode around in an unarmed Humvee, something that wasn't remotely true! I actually got flak in the primaries for refusing to commit to a position, because the Commander in Chief should never box himself into a strategy. That's just foolish.

John McCain keeps calling me presumptuous, when he's the guy who called himself "President McCain" in an ad a few months back!

But the point it, none of this nonsense really matters. It won't help our diplomacy, it won't help gas prices, and it won't change the economy. I called John McCain honorable, ladies and gentlemen, and his service was extraordinary, but this kind of politics cannot stand.

Losing millions and millions in Iraq cannot stand.

Keeping the fiscally irresponsible Bush tax cuts cannot stand.

Gigantic profits for Exxon-Mobil while Americans can't fill the tank cannot stand.

So I call on you to stand with me for change today. This is our time to stand up and say no to the politics of the past. This is our time to say no to the attacks and the excuses. This is our time to demand a government that will work for the citizens instead of the special interests. That's why I'm running for President.