BOSTON -- With a salute to Democratic National Convention delegates, John Kerry said he is "reporting for duty." It was his greeting as he arrived onstage for his acceptance speech at the convention in Boston.

His words and his salute continued the theme of his introduction to the convention. A dozen of his former crewmates from the vessel he commanded in Vietnam were on stage, paying tribute to his war service.

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Kerry walked through the convention hall to make his way to the podium. Delegates cheered and waved white-and-blue Kerry signs and those who were within reach shook his hand.

To the cheering audience, Kerry vowed to "restore trust and credibility to the White House."

"I know there are those who criticize me for seeing complexities and I do because some issues just aren't all that simple," he said. "Saying there are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq doesn't make it so. Saying we can fight a war on the cheap doesn't make it so. And proclaiming mission accomplished certainly doesn't make it so."

As president, Kerry said he would fight a "smarter, more effective war on terror," deploying economic as well as military might and principles as well as our firepower.

"In these dangerous days, there is a right way and a wrong way to be strong," he said to cheers. "Strength is more than tough words. After decades of experience in national security, I know the reach of our power and I know the power of our ideals.

"We need to make America once again a beacon in the world. We need to be looked up to and not just feared."

Kerry directed some of his comments to people who he said "question the patriotism of Americans who offer a better direction for our country."

"Before wrapping themselves in the flag and shutting their eyes and ears to the truth, they should remember what America is really all about. They should remember the great idea of freedom for which so many have given their lives.

"Our purpose now is to reclaim democracy itself. We are here to affirm that when Americans stand up and speak their minds and say America can do better, that is not a challenge to patriotism; it is the heart and soul of patriotism," Kerry said.

The junior senator from Massachussetts promised to work on behalf of "the middle class who deserve a champion and those struggling to join it." Wages are falling as health care costs are on the rise and that the middle class is shrinking, he said.

Kerry says he believes the country can do what it did in the 1990s -- balance the budget, create millions of new jobs, and lift millions out of poverty.

His economic program will include new incentives to revitalize manufacturing, investment in technology and innovation that will create the jobs, close close the tax loopholes that reward companies for shipping our jobs overseas and reward companies that create and keep well-paying jobs in the United States.

"We will trade and compete in the world. But our plan calls for a fair playing field because if you give the American worker a fair playing field, there's nobody in the world the American worker can't compete against," he said.

Kerry said he would roll back some of the tax cuts passed by President George W. Bush, but not those targeted at the middle class.

"You've heard a lot of false charges about this in recent months. So, let me say straight out what I will do as president: I will cut middle class taxes. I will reduce the tax burden on small business. And I will roll back the tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals who make over $200,000 a year, so we can invest in job creation, health care and education," he said.

Kerry wrapped up his address with a challenge to Bush.

"In the weeks ahead, let's be optimists, not just opponents. Let's build unity in the American family, not angry division. Let's honor this nation's diversity; let's respect one another; and let's never misuse for political purposes the most precious document in American history -- the Constitution of the United States," he said.