The race is on. With the official selection of Arizona Sen. John McCain as the GOP contender on the November ballot, the campaign to be the next president of the United States gets down to business. With less than two months to go before the election, the two parties' strategy and tactics are clear, and, incredibly, they appear to be flogging the same message: Change the way business is done in Washington. The question is whether voters will turn to a relative newcomer who looks — literally — nothing like the face of traditional American politics or a veteran politician with a quarter century of experience in Washington.

Mr. McCain claimed the nomination in front of a rapturous crowd of the party faithful last week in St. Paul, Minnesota. The convention narrative painted the Republican nominee as a war hero who has throughout his life put his country before his own interests; he's a maverick who sticks to his guns, even if that means defying his party and entrenched interests in Washington. Those are the pillars of the McCain campaign: He is a man whose patriotism is above challenge, whose judgment can be trusted, and who will fight for the interests of the ordinary citizen rather than the "elite" that GOP convention speakers slammed at every opportunity.

It promises to be an uphill battle for Mr. McCain. Some 80 percent of U.S. voters think the country is on the wrong track, and the Democrats are doing their best to paint Mr. McCain as "more of the same" by tying him to U.S. President George W. Bush. Indeed, the incumbent was conspicuous by his absence during the convention. His wife got a thunderous greeting but the president himself only appeared by video. Mr. McCain's acceptance speech referred only to "the president" once and he never mentioned Mr. Bush by name. And yet, although the Republicans controlled the White House for the last eight years and Congress for six of the last eight years, Mr. McCain and his strategists have decided to run against "Washington." They take solace from polls that show Congress' standing is lower than that of Mr. Bush.

It will be a delicate balancing act. The Republicans argue that his opponent, Democratic nominee Barack Obama, is an empty suit who mouths only platitudes, while Mr. McCain is both committed to change and an experienced leader who knows how to get things done. In short, the Republicans want this to be a referendum on the two men's character.

Republican strategists admit as much. One of Mr. McCain's closest advisers argued that the election will not be about issues, but about each candidate's judgment. Exhibit A for both parties is likely to be Ms. Sarah Palin, Mr. McCain's surprise pick to be his running mate.

Ms. Palin, the governor of Alaska, was a stunning choice. She was a virtual unknown, who instantly invigorated a ticket that badly needed energy. A "hockey mom" with five kids, Ms. Palin built her career on challenging the Alaskan Republican Party machine, a record that fits neatly into Mr. McCain's call for change. Her speech to the convention was a fiery success, with sarcastic attacks on Mr. Obama that roused the party faithful — especially the religious base that seeks her as a kindred spirit. Her selection was also a tactical move designed to win over disaffected Democrats still angry over their party's treatment of Sen. Hillary Clinton. It also allows GOP backers to dismiss criticism of Ms. Palin as "sexism," a charge they have not been shy about making.

But if the choice of Ms. Palin confirmed that Mr. McCain is indeed a maverick, it also raises questions about his judgment. There is considerable evidence that the selection was rushed and not properly vetted. Since his choice was announced, there have been several revelations about Ms. Palin's personal and professional conduct. While she is a fresh face, many see her as untested and inexperienced. Democrats are not the only ones asking if she is truly the best person to be "a heartbeat away from the presidency."

The key to victory in November is winning undecided voters. Democrats have the edge. The base is angry and energized. The Denver convention went a long way toward healing a party deeply divided over the treatment of Ms. Clinton. The GOP convention also energized the faithful and raised hopes that Mr. McCain, with a good campaign, can win over women voters and independents. The problem is that Mr. McCain must run away from his party. He tried to do that in his convention speech, which blamed the GOP for abandoning its principles. Those lines got a tepid response. The question now is whether that message will resonate more widely throughout the U.S. or whether voters will opt for a genuinely "new" face as it embraces change.