ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- With the Republican National Convention now behind him, John McCain is looking ahead to the final weeks leading up to the November election.

McCain and his ticketmate, Sarah Palin, will be meeting with voters today in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, before holding a rally in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

McCain styled himself as a POW turned political rebel in his acceptance speech last night. He vowed to vanquish what he termed the "constant partisan rancor" that grips Washington. The Arizona senator promised the roaring Republican crowd that "change is coming."

McCain made only passing reference to an unpopular President Bush and criticized fellow Republicans as well as Democratic rival Barack Obama in reaching out to independents and swing voters who will pick the next president.

The polls indicate a close race between McCain and Obama, with the outcome likely to be decided in scattered swing states in the industrial Midwest and the Southwest.