Bush, reluctant to give up the spotlight, endorses McCain

SrRojo · Guest

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/?last_story=/politics/war_room/2008/03/05/bush_mccain/

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 13:57 EST

Bush, reluctant to give up the spotlight, endorses McCain

--"Huh? Nuh hym nod."--L'il Jak

In a press conference in the White House Rose Garden Wednesday,
President George W. Bush was supposed to pass the baton, after a
fashion, to presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain.
But instead Bush looked very much like a man not quite ready to give
up that baton and its attendant spotlight; on more than one occasion,
he interrupted McCain, who could only stand and look awkward.

But Bush did manage to deliver his endorsement to McCain. "It's been
my honor to welcome my friend John McCain as the nominee of the
Republican Party," Bush said. "John showed incredible courage and
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... [H[e's going to be the president who will bring
determination to defeat an enemy and a heart big enough to love those
who hurt."

In thanking Bush for the endorsement, McCain was similarly full of
praise. "I'm very honored and humbled to have the opportunity to
receive the endorsement of the president of the United States, a man
who (sic) I have great admiration, respect and affection," McCain
said. "I appreciate his endorsement. I appreciate his service to our
country. I intend to have as much possible (sic) campaigning events
and -- together, in keeping with the president's heavy schedule. And I
look forward to that opportunity... I hope that the president will
find time from his busy schedule to be out on the campaign trail with
me."

Things broke down a bit when it came time for questions from the
press, as an animated Bush barely let McCain get a word in edgewise.

That was especially true for the last question of the press
conference, when one reporter asked Bush where his campaigning on
McCain's behalf might be most helpful to the Republican nominee. Bush
made a few brief remarks, and McCain tried to answer the question, but
Bush interrupted and went off on a rant, gesticulating
enthusiastically as McCain stood off to the side. "I'm focusing on,
you know, protecting America and succeeding in Iraq and dealing with
the North Korean (sic) and dealing with the Iranian (sic) and dealing
with the issues around the world where we're making a difference in
terms of keeping peace," Bush said. "I want to get this as good a
position as possible so that when John McCain's the president -- and
he will be -- he can deal with these issues in a way that yields
peace." McCain broke in, saying, "Could I say, one state springs to
mind? Texas," and then Bush jumped right back in. At the end of a
couple more responses, as McCain appeared to be pausing, Bush abruptly
brought the press conference to an end.

Bush focused many of his remarks on McCain's "determination,"
especially in the war on terror, speaking often about the looming
enemy and McCain's fitness for the presidency because of his
understanding of the threat. "John McCain will find out when he takes
the oath of office his most important responsibility is to protect the
American people from harm. And there's still an enemy that lurks, an
enemy that wants to strike us. And this country better have somebody
in that Oval Office who understands the stakes. And John McCain
understands those stakes." (For the record, the oath of office taken
by the president has no references to protecting the American people
-- the only thing the president is sworn to protect is the
Constitution.)
-- Alex Koppelman

Google · Sponsor