John McCain focused on public education and school vouchers during his speech today to the national gathering of the NAACP in Cincinnati.

From Fox News:

... the presumptive GOP nominee began his full-throated case for school voucher programs and greater accountability, also returning fire at Obama for accusing him so using "tired rhetoric."

"Senator Obama dismissed public support for private school vouchers for low-income Americans as, 'tired rhetoric about vouchers and school choice.' All of that went over well with the teachers union, but where does it leave families and their children who are stuck in failing schools?," McCain asked. "When a public system fails, repeatedly, to meet these minimal objectives, parents ask only for a choice in the education of their children. Some parents, some parents may choose a better public school. Some may choose a private school. Many will choose a charter school. No entrenched bureaucracy or union should deny parents that choice and children that opportunity."

McCain also attacked Obama for opposing the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship, a federal voucher program, and committed to expanding similar programs if he wins the White House.

"If I am elected president, school choice for all who want it, an expansion of Opportunity Scholarships, and alternative certification for teachers will be part of a serious agenda of education reform," he said to scattered applause.

The Cleveland Plain-Dealer's political blog said McCain was generally well-received: "McCain was welcomed with a standing ovation from about half the audience of several thousand. He earned frequent applause during the 30-minute speech. And the audience gasped in surprise when he stayed to field questions."

The Toledo Blade reported that McCain "received the strongest responses from the crowd when he broke from his script to take questions from the audience, something Mr. Obama did not do Monday."

He criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency's response to Hurricane Katrina and promised to fix and then fully fund No Child Left Behind education programs that he characterized as "a good start." ... If nothing else, Mr. McCain won respect by making the appearance in front of an organization whose members lean heavily in support of his Democratic opponent.

McCain also had praise for his rival, according to the Plain-Dealer: "Whatever the outcome in November, Senator Obama has achieved a great thing -- for himself and for his country -- and I thank him for it."