McCain attacks Obama, distances himself from Bush

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain said he would bring "the right kind of change" to the U.S. presidency as he launched a general election campaign on Tuesday against likely Democratic opponent Barack Obama.

McCain, an Arizona senator who has wrapped up his party's White House nomination, also sought to distance himself from President George W. Bush by promising a new energy policy and a plan to curb global warming.

"He is an impressive man, who makes a great first impression," McCain says of Obama, according to a copy of prepared remarks he will deliver later on Tuesday.

"But he hasn't been willing to make the tough calls, to challenge his party, to risk criticism from his supporters to bring real change to Washington. I have."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason, editing by David Alexander)