CINCINNATI — John McCain won plaudits if not support yesterday for addressing some of opponent Barack Obama's strongest supporters.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee spoke to the NAACP, the nation's oldest civil rights organization, spotlighting his support for school vouchers to help low-income families send children to private or charter schools — a popular program among many African Americans dealing with struggling public schools.

He also heaped rare praise on Obama, who addressed the group Monday.

"Don't tell him I said this, but he is an impressive fellow in many ways," McCain said to laughter and applause.

"His success should make Americans, all Americans, proud. Of course, I would prefer his success not continue quite as long as he hopes. But it does make you and me proud to know the country I've loved and served all my life is still a work in progress, and always improving."

The audience of about 3,000 people welcomed McCain with applause, listened to him politely and gave him a brief standing ovation when he finished.

Still, there was little of the thunderous enthusiasm that had greeted Obama, and empty seats were scattered throughout the hall.

"It's good that he is appearing and willing to reach out," said C. Frederick Robinson, a lawyer from Flint, Mich. So which candidate will he vote for in November? "Obama," he replied quickly. "That's a given."

McCain faces a Herculean task in appealing to black voters, a group that overwhelmingly supports Obama, the first African American to clinch a major party's presidential nomination. In a USA Today/Gallup Poll last month, McCain led Obama among whites, 48 percent to 42 percent. Among blacks, Obama swamped McCain, 90 percent to 2 percent.

McCain made a relatively low-key bid for support, talking about the need for fiscal discipline, expanded energy exploration and education reform.

He also provided more details than before on his proposals to expand a voucher program in the District of Columbia and offer merit pay to teachers.

On Monday, Obama had offered a preview of McCain's expected comments to the group. "Now, I understand that Sen. McCain is going to be coming here in a couple of days and talking about education, and I'm glad to hear it," Obama said. "But the fact is, what he's offering amounts to little more than the same tired rhetoric about vouchers."

McCain told the same group, "Over the years, Americans have heard a lot of 'tired rhetoric' about education," including "endless excuses" for the failures of some public schools.

"When a public system fails, repeatedly, to meet minimal objectives, parents ask only for a choice in the education of their children," McCain said.

"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."