Presidential candidate John McCain and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin declared "We must win New Mexico" at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Saturday.
More than 6,000 people, including UNM students, packed the stands to get a glimpse of McCain and Palin, the self-proclaimed mavericks in this year's presidential race.
McCain said he is the voice of the people and will take care of issues without party interference.
"I don't work for a party, a special-interest group or even myself," McCain said. "I work for you all."
McCain said he is willing to fight for his country rather than his party and that he will do what is right for America.
"Sen. Obama has never stood up to his party," McCain said. "I have, I can and I will in order to do what is right for the country."
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He said one of his first goals is addressing the energy crisis.
"We need to stop sending billions of dollars to countries that don't like us very much," McCain said. "And yes, folks, we will drill now."
McCain championed his "all of the above" energy proposal, advocating oil, wind, electric and nuclear power.
He said Americans also need immediate action on housing and health care issues.
"We need to keep people in their homes but do it without bailing out Wall Street executives," McCain said. "I intend to stand by your side, not in your way. The Democrats won't even talk about health care for everyone, and I can tell you folks that I will never stand in between you and your doctor."
Palin said she and McCain will shake up the system when they get to Washington, D.C.
"We are going to drill and find our own energy, and I am going to help John McCain end the energy struggles for America," Palin said.
She said this is one of many reasons to choose McCain over Obama.
"There are some other candidates who use change as a way to promote their careers, and then there are those, like John McCain, that use their careers to promote change," Palin said, reworking a line from her acceptance speech last week.
She said McCain's military experience will help him make decisions for the U.S.
"There is only one man who has ever really fought for you. He is the only great man in this race. And that is John McCain," Palin said.
Sophomore David Conway said he will vote for McCain because he is more experienced.
"I believe that he is right for this country," Conway said. "Sen. Obama has less experience, as he voted 135 times 'present' instead of making any real decisions or standing up for what he believes in."
Junior Noell Saver said she volunteered for the McCain campaign because it brings energy to the Grand Old Party.
She said she was excited McCain chose Palin as his running mate because she can relate to the governor.
"I believe that she stands up for what she believes in, and that is important and different from the Democrats," Saver said.
Conway said Palin may have fewer years' experience than Obama, but she has been more active in that time.
"Being governor gave her a lot more executive experience than being a senator who doesn't vote one way or the other does," Conway said.
