Washington, July 17: Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain has already begun scoring points in the run-up to the November presidential poll.

On Wednesday, while addressing the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil rights organisation that represents ethnic minorities in the United States, McCain spoke glowingly about his Democratic presidential rival Barack Obama.

"Don''t tell him I said this, but he (Obama) is an impressive fellow in many ways. He has inspired a great many Americans," McCain told NAACP members in Chicago.

"His success should make Americans - all Americans – proud. Senator Obama talks about making history, and he''s made quite a bit of it already," McCain added.

"Whatever the outcome in November, Senator Obama has achieved a great thing, for himself and for his country, and I thank him for it," he said.

"Whether or not I win your support, I need your goodwill and counsel," McCain said. "And should I succeed, I''ll need it all the more," he added. (ANI)