WESLEY JOHNSON
US President George Bush endorsed John McCain's presidential bid in a symbolic White House press conference yesterday.
The two bitter rivals from the 2000 race stood side by side in the Rose Garden as Mr Bush said the former Vietnam prisoner of war would be a strong, courageous president who would not "flinch in the face of danger".
Mr McCain's sweep of last night's Republican contests in Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island completed the transformation of a campaign which was seen as virtually over last summer after weeks of poor fundraising, significant staff departures, and falling poll numbers.
Yesterday's press conference marked the start of Mr McCain's general election campaign, giving him time to unify his party and garner the support of its conservative base while the two Democrats continue a protracted battle between themselves.
Even in January, Mr McCain was carrying his own suitcase and taking commercial flights between events while his campaign was low on funds. But all that changed when he won New Hampshire after holding more than 100 events in the state.
Yesterday, Mr Bush, who was waiting outside the White House for Mr McCain to arrive for lunch for several minutes, took the unusual step of walking up to the car to greet the arriving Republican nominee-to-be.
The two men both said the president would support Mr McCain as much as his schedule would allow and refuted reporters' suggestions that being seen with Mr Bush, whose public opinion ratings are low, would harm Mr McCain's chances.
"They're not going to be voting for me," Mr Bush said. "I've had my time in the Oval Office. I've done my bit."
In the candid press conference, Mr Bush said he would do whatever he could to help, even getting out of the way when needed. "I've got a lot to do, but I'm going to find ample time to help," he said.
"I can help him raise 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."
Earlier, the president said: "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."
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