John McCain will unveil a new speech with the kind of strong, clear "straight talk" that we believe will begin a turnaround for the campaign and encourage voters to take a new look at John McCain's plans to help our economy and his long record of reform.

Senator McCain will offer a frank assessment of the state of the election and the state of affairs for our country. The theme is the new direction that John McCain will take the country through his specific plans for creating jobs, keeping people in their homes, curbing spending and cutting taxes.

He will talk about how he, not Senator Obama, has the experience, judgment and courage to fight for every American in this time of national crisis. He will speak directly to people's fears and worries about the state of our economy, and he will assure Americans that, like many times before, our country will emerge stronger than before.

Full speech to be released two hours prior to deliver. Excerpts below:

"Let me give you the state of the race today. We have 22 days to go. We’re 6 points down. The national media has written us off. Senator Obama is measuring the drapes, and planning with Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid to raise taxes, increase spending, take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections, and concede defeat in Iraq. But they forgot to let you decide. My friends, we’ve got them just where we want them.

"What America needs in this hour is a fighter; someone who puts all his cards on the table and trusts the judgment of the American people. I come from a long line of McCain’s who believed that to love America is to fight for her. I have fought for you most of my life. There are other ways to love this country, but I’ve never been the kind to do it from the sidelines." --John McCain