Washington: President George W Bush endorsed Senator John McCain for president on Wednesday, saying the presumptive Republican nominee has the 'character, courage and perseverance' to lead the country. McCain thanked the President for his support and the work he has done in the Oval Office.
"I appreciate his endorsement, and I appreciate his service to our country," McCain said, adding that he wanted Bush at his side as much as possible on the campaign trail.
"Whatever he wants me to do, I want him to win," Bush said, who was challenged by McCain for the GOP nomination in 2000. But he said the 2008 run for the Oval Office was not his battle. "It's not about me. I've done my bit," Bush said.
Addressing the calls for change in the presidential campaign, Bush said McCain would be steadfast to one of his administration's policies. "He's not gonna change when it comes to taking on the enemy," Bush said of the senator from Arizona.
Protecting the American people was the No. 1 job of a president and McCain understood that, Bush said. "He's gonna be a president who will bring determination to defeat an enemy," Bush said.
McCain clinched the GOP presidential nomination with victories Tuesday in Ohio, Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island. McCain needed 1,191 delegates to secure the nomination and had 1,226 after Tuesday's voting, according to CNN estimates.
McCain said with the nomination secured, he would begin exploring possible running mates. He also said he called both Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and pledged 'a respectful campaign' no matter who wins the Democratic nomination.
Before Wednesday's event at the White House, both Republicans and their Democratic opponents expressed excitement about the possibilities of Bush endorsing McCain.
Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas said McCain can now focus on solidifying support among conservative Republicans, the majority of whom backed candidates other than the Arizona lawmaker in the primaries, according to exit polls.
"I think the endorsement of President Bush will certainly go a long ways toward that," Hutchison said on Wednesday. "John McCain is going to be very focused on our base and the people that he wants to have in full force behind him."
Despite overall approval ratings hovering just above 30 per cent, Bush receives far higher marks from conservatives, and the McCain campaign thinks the push from Bush will bring the party in line behind their presumptive nominee.
"He'll have the [Republican National Committee] behind him. He'll have a broad base of financial support. It's a big step," said Alex Castellanos, a GOP strategist and CNN contributor. A senior administration official concurred on Wednesday, saying Bush will raise 'a lot of money' for McCain.
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