Former President Bush Endorses McCain
HOUSTON -- If it's Monday, it must mean a Bush is endorsing John McCain. Today, former President George H.W. Bush came out in support of McCain, one week after Bush's son, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush announced his backing.
"I've watched with great interest the spirited battle that is raging for the leadership of our great party," the former president said.
He talked about his failed 1992 re-election campaign and hinted about Mike Huckabee's insistence on remaining in the race by noting that it can take a while to realize your campaign is over.
"It can take a while for any candidate to read the writing on the wall and that was certainly true of me," he said.
In announcing his support for McCain, the former president said, "His character was forged in the crucible of war. His commitment to America is beyond any doubt. But most importantly, he has the right values and experience to guide our nation forward at this historic moment... Few men have sacrificed so much in the cause of human freedom."
After his remarks, former President Bush was asked about McCain's critics within the party who have painted him not conservative enough.
Saying Ronald Reagan had been criticized the same way by ultra-conservatives he said, "You know if you've been around the track you hear these criticisms and think they grossly unfair."
"He's got a record that everybody can analyze in the Senate. A sound conservative record and yet he's not above reaching out to the other side."
"I hear all these criticisms and Barbara knows I get a little bit annoyed by them frankly," he said. "I just don't know like when I see a friend come under unfair attack ... and that's what this is. And it's not that big, it's not that broad in my view so. He'll do just fine with the base of the Republican party."