Bush endorses John McCain for president

updated 1:51 p.m. ET March 5, 2008

WASHINGTON - President Bush endorsed Republican nominee-in-waiting John McCain on Wednesday, two bitter rivals from the 2000 presidential race joining together now in hopes of preventing Democrats from winning the White House this fall.

"John showed incredible courage, strength of character and perseverance in order to get to this moment and that's exactly what we need in a president — somebody who can handle the tough decisions, somebody who won't flinch in the face of danger," Bush said, appearing with McCain in the Rose Garden.

Bush's embrace of the Arizona senator as the party's next standard-bearer comes a day after McCain clinched the GOP nomination by getting the requisite 1,191 convention delegates. Republicans won't officially nominate McCain until early September at the GOP's national convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

"A while back I don't think many people would have thought that John McCain would be here as the nominee of the Republican Party," Bush said. "Except he knew he'd be here and so did his wife, Cindy."

With his low poll ratings and an unpopular war on his shoulders, Bush could hurt McCain with some groups, while helping with others.

"They're not going to be voting for me," the president said. "I've had my time in the Oval Office."

"It's not about me," Bush said. "I've done my bit."

McCain said he looked forward to campaigning with Bush at his side and said the president could be helpful in states such as Texas. Bush pledged to do whatever he could — even getting out of the way when that would help.

"I got a lot to do, but I'm going to find ample time to help," Bush said. "I can help raise him money, and if he wants my pretty face standing by his side at one of these rallies, I'd be glad to show up."

"But they're going to be looking at him. I'm going to be in Crawford with my feet up," Bush said. "He's going to be sitting in behind that desk making decisions on war and peace."

Video Anti-McCain ad: McSame March 5: The liberal group Campaign to Defend America, released this ad in Ohio and Pennsylvania, likening John McCain to President Bush, on the same day McCain received the president's endorsement. NBC News Web Extra

McCain's Washington visit amounted to a victory lap of sorts after a bruising 16-month Republican presidential primary. He was visiting not only the White House he hopes to occupy but also the Republican National Committee headquarters that he essentially assumes control of now that he's the expected GOP nominee.

He was essentially laying claim to the entire force of the Republican Party apparatus as he plots his general election strategy and sets in motion his campaign — and that of the party — to keep a Republican at the White House helm.

For McCain, the general election campaign starts now even though Democrats still haven't chosen a candidate. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton continue a protracted battle for their party's nod, leaving McCain an opportunity to unify his party.

To that end, Bush's support sends a strong signal to GOP critics of McCain to fall in line.

The GOP's conservative base has resisted rallying around McCain, long viewing him skeptically for working across the aisle with Democrats on issues that the right flank detest.

Bush is the head of the Republican Party and he remains a well-liked figure with GOP rank-and-file. Thus, he could be an asset in raising money and rallying the GOP base for McCain.

However, his job performance rating is at a low point and he is unpopular with the general public.

Picking the president: The candidates Click to visit that candidate's MSNBC page or click the XML symbol for an RSS feed. John McCain                Barack Obama

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