The presumptive GOP nominee kicks off his general election campaign in Kenner, Louisiana speech, recognizing Obama as the nominee and praising Clinton's "tenacity."
Uses harsh words to discredit Obama's characterization of him as representing a third Bush term.
"He tries to drum it into your minds by constantly repeating it rather than debate honestly the very different directions he and I would take the country. But the American people didn't get to know me yesterday, as they are just getting to know Senator Obama."
Watch video above. Read full transcript here.
Read Jay Carney's take on Time.com.
McCain later repeated his remarks to an overflow crowd.
