Bush endorses McCain as Republican presidential nominee

Source: Xinhua | 03-06-2008 07:51

WASHINGTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush endorsed John McCain on Wednesday as the Republican presidential nominee after he garnered more than 1,191 delegates required for a nominee the previous day.

U.S. President George W. Bush welcomes Republican Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain (L) and his  wife Cindy to the White House in Washington March  5, 2008. McCain scored victories in Texas, Ohio,  Vermont and Rhode Island on Tuesday to complete  his improbable comeback from the political graveyard last summer to become his party's standard-bearer.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"He's a president -- and he's going to be the president who will bring determination to defeat an enemy and a heart big enough to love those who hurt," Bush said at a press conference in the White House with McCain standing beside him.

He described the 71-year-old Arizona Senator as "somebody who can handle the tough decisions, and somebody who won't flinch in the face of danger."

The president made the announcement one day after McCain swept four more primaries and secured his candidacy by accumulating more than 1,191 delegates that are needed to win the nomination.

McCain expressed his gratitude to Bush, "a man who I have great admiration, respect and affection," and said he looked forward to campaigning with the president at his side, especially in the states like Texas, Bush's home state.

According to the White House, Bush has also sent his congratulations through phone calls to defeated Republican candidates Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani.