Obama, McCain Rally Support With Patriotic Spirit

President Barack Obama during his 07/04/09 radio address. In this Wednesday, June 17, 2009 file photo, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington.

(ABC News/AP Photo)

In dueling holiday addresses, President Barack Obama appealed for public support of his domestic programs and Sen. John McCain said Americans should side with Iranian election protesters.

The 2008 rivals for the White House both cited the spirit of the nation's founders in their Fourth of July radio and Internet broadcasts on Saturday.

Obama said an "unyielding spirit is what defines us as Americans" and led people during the nation's history to explore the West, persevere during the Depression and build a robust industrial economy.

"That is the spirit we are called to show once more," Obama said. "We are facing an array of challenges on a scale unseen in our time. We are waging two wars. We are battling a deep recession. And our economy — and our nation itself — are endangered by festering problems we have kicked down the road for far too long: spiraling health care costs; inadequate schools; and a dependence on foreign oil."

He said the same spirit will be needed to deal with problems "we cannot defer any longer," citing several areas:

—Revamping the education system, demand more from teachers, parents and students and "build schools that prepare every child in America to outcompete any worker in the world."

—Overhauling the health care system "that is imposing crushing costs on families, businesses, large and small, and state and federal budgets."

—Making clean energy "the profitable kind of energy so that we can end our dependence on foreign oil and reclaim America's future."

The House narrowly passed Obama's energy bill, and Congress is developing legislation to overhaul the health care system, making care more affordable and providing coverage for millions of the uninsured.

McCain, R-Ariz., said the U.S. has a moral obligation to publicly denounce the Iranian government and support Iranians who feel cheated by the election.