McCain promises to keep America safe

Republican John McCain's first major TV ad after knowing for sure that Barack Obama will be his competition is a stark, personal pitch to voters that he knows about war -- and knows how to keep America secure.

"Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war," McCain says in the 30-second spot. "When I was five years old, my father left for war. My grandfather came home from war and died the next day."

"I was shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a POW," he continues as historical images appear on the screen and sober music plays in the background. "Some of the friends I served with never came home. I hate war. And I know how terrible its costs are."

"I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe," McCain concludes.

The ad will start running today and Saturday in the battleground states of Iowa, Michigan, Colorado, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, Wisconsin, and West Virginia, the Associated Press reported.

McCain is relying heavily on his personal narrative and on his expertise in national security against Obama, and has already questioned Obama's lack of military service.

But Obama is counterpunching with his opposition to the very unpopular war in Iraq and his advocacy of better benefits for veterans.