Bush Plays Pundit-In-Chief, Embraces McCain
EmailABC News’ Tahman Bradley Reports: President Bush shared more analysis of the Republican presidential race than usual in a broadcast interview that aired Sunday, saying he would be comfortable if the party choose to nominate John McCain but that the Arizona senator may still need to convince conservatives he’s with them.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he is a true conservative,” said Bush on Fox News Sunday. “I think that if John’s the nominee, he’s got some convincing to do to convince people’s he’s a solid conservative and I’m glad to help him.”
The president touted McCain’s conservative credentials saying, “He’s very strong on national defense. He’s tough fiscally. He believes the tax cuts ought to be permanent. He’s pro-life. His principals are sound and solid as far as I’m concerned.”
As for the Democrats, Mr. Bush said he’s not sure who the party will nominate for president, seeming to back off his prediction a few months ago that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., would win the Democratic primaries.
The president went on the attack, sharply criticizing Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., on foreign policy. “I certainly don’t know what he believes in,” said Bush. “He said he would attack Pakistan and endorse (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinezhad.” Bush was referring to comments Obama made in August when he said the U.S. must be willing to strike Al Qaeda targets inside Pakistan.
Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton responded to President Bush in a statement. "Of course President Bush would attack the one candidate in this race who opposed his disastrous war in Iraq from the start. But Barack Obama doesn’t need any foreign policy advice from the architect of the worst foreign policy decision in a generation," he said.
Asked if former President Bill Clinton has acted appropriately while campaigning for his wife against Sen. Obama, Bush said he understands why the former president wants to campaign hard for his wife, while adding that he doesn’t think Bill Clinton is racist.
Republicans will win in the general election, predicted Bush, because the race will come down to national security — which will benefit McCain. "People understand that this is a dangerous world and that we’re going to need steady strong leadership in the Oval office to deal with the dangers of this world. And if Sen. McCain is the nominee, he will have brought those credentials to the White House."
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McCain may as well as Charley Manson to promote him or some other TOTAL IDIOT. If McCain had a lick o sense he would steer clear of GW…
Posted by: RW | February 10, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
National Security is the reality. Are people going to take a shot in the dark and put that handily into the wrong candidate. President Bush understands what this could do to our nation, so wake America! Like Bush or not the question is do you like America?
Posted by: callenfallen | February 10, 2008, 12:16 pm 12:16 pm
That settles it, IF Bush endorses McCain, then McCain is the enemy.
Posted by: Patriot2008 | February 10, 2008, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
Give me a break. President Bush, himself, claims to be a conservative but as his record shows, he is absolutely not a conservative. He, like his Father, abandoned conservative principles. Bush allowed spending to escalate beyond any liberal’s dreams and he did nothing to protect the American people from the invasion from the south. Conservative—I think not! Business suck up, you betcha!
Posted by: rockychance | February 10, 2008, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
What is a true conservative???
GW’s administration and his propaganda machine (Foxnews/Rush) have have destroyed what a true conservative really is.
A true conservative is “FINANCIALLY CONSERVATIVE”…. The Republicans haven’t been that since the Reagan Revolution destroyed it.
They’re isolationists as in “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” GW changed that with the political belief that war presidents get re-elected and he started wars just for that purpose.
There’s nothing honorable with what GW’s vision of a conservative is.
Posted by: roy | February 10, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
Imagine applying for a job, and using Bush as your reference.
Posted by: Nelly | February 10, 2008, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
Bush is not conservative himself. Borrow and spend the country into bankrupty – Open borders and the US taxpayer pays the cost of illegal immigration. Nothing conservative there. Maybe Ted Kennedy could endorse them both. What a bad joke.
Posted by: AM | February 10, 2008, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm
He is all to aware of the difficulties facing America and he is known for saying exactly what he thinks, even if it goes against the popular vote. I myself respect him for that.
Posted by: american2 | February 10, 2008, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
Well, it takes one to know one! BUSH – MCCAIN – TWO PEAS IN A POD!
Posted by: Allan J Krueger | February 10, 2008, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
I wondered how long it would be before the “fear factor” came out. Will we be having those red alerts again just before election time? McCain needs to tell some lies so he can appear more conservative. Hasn’t he gotten enough hints already? Problem is the poor old guy is too set in his ways and just can’t help being himself.
Posted by: jon sid | February 10, 2008, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
National security vs International profile. If citizens of the world didn’t hate us and question our intentions so much wouldn’t we be safer? If the people of the world didn’t feel like we were bullies wouldn’t they be more likely to extend the hand of peace and acceptance? Bush’s statements prove what most of us already know.GW doesn’t have a clue whats happening inside of his own country. McCain should be very careful about who appears to be HIS ally.
Posted by: Andre Floyd | February 10, 2008, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm
Oh great, McCain gets the endorsement of one of the most unpopular presidents in recent history. That should do wonders for his campaign.
Posted by: Louis | February 10, 2008, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
Conservatism is a relativistic term used to describe political philosophies that favor traditional values, where “tradition” refers to religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs. The term derives from the Latin, conservāre, to conserve; “to keep, guard, observe”. … McCain is a lib in sheep’s clothing. Proof? McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy, etc He favors NAFTA, his open border stance is unAmerican, and his unwillingess to make English our official language is despicable. He does not believe in term limits. He’s more of the same problem that we’ve endured for too long.
Posted by: john | February 10, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
I just heard Huckabee while speaking in-front of an audience say “…surmond of Peter walking on water.” What? I thought you conservative Republicans claim to know everything about scripture. It Was JESUS Who Walked On Water!! The same way you try to rewrite scripture is the same way you try to rewrite American history and alter facts.
Posted by: Angela | February 10, 2008, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
This brings back memories of the days following hurricane Katrina, and the endorsement Bush gave to “Browny” for the GREAT job he was doing handling the disaster. — And it brings back the memories of the likes of Rumsfeld, and Libby, and Gonzales, and Rove, and Cheney, et.al.
A Bush endorsement is the last thing McCaine needs.
Posted by: Babushka | February 10, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
Ahh… Bush speaks kindly of Clinton yet slams Obama…Now we know that the Republicans want Clinton to win the nomination because she will be easier to beat in November.
Posted by: mv | February 10, 2008, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
Actually, Peter did too walk on water. He walked on water in attempt to reach Jesus who was also on water. It’s in the scripture.
Anyway, Bush keeps his principles on doing what’s right and I hope McCain will do the same.
Posted by: Jen | February 10, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
So Bush thinks McCain is a “true conservative?” Bush has no conservative credentials. He is as much of a conservative as I am the Queen of Sheba!
Posted by: Brent | February 10, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
Is Darth Cheney next in his endorsement of McCain? I hope so. Bush and Cheneys’ endorsement should doom Mcains bid for President.
Posted by: AJ | February 10, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
McCain is Bush’s rubber stamp. And bankrupting the country by spending on the Bush occupation of Iraq is not being conservative. Bush and McCain will say anything, it just depends on which way the wind is blowing. And to think we pay these two? Incredible!
Posted by: Crusher | February 10, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
What the heck does George Bush know about conservative principles? He has never applied them. Defending the country against terrorists in not a conservative principle, its a generic principle. On the other hand spending the country into a mind bending level of debt and offering Keynesian economics-inspired checks from the government to citizens is decidedly liberal even socialist. George Bush is the biggest fraud in the history of the country. At least Hillary admits she wants to take out money and give it to others as the big socialist hero. In this respect she is more honest than George.
Posted by: jon | February 10, 2008, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
“bush lauds mccain as true conservative” AMERICA BEWARE!!!!!
Posted by: chris | February 10, 2008, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
dumbya is as much a true Christian as the ayatollah is
Posted by: chris | February 10, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
Well, that sinks McCain’s nomination. Bush has the lowest approval rating of any president, ever. Even McCain probably flinched over this endorsement.
Posted by: soose | February 10, 2008, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
I’m glad McCain is all those things but Huckabee seems like he is not ashamed of his faith in Messiah Jesus. We have nothing to hide. Yes, we do believe the historical documentation which has been proven to be true time after time. The best that we can do is to take what we have and base our conclusions on the information that we have. Unlike other secular beliefs or pagan religions, we do not believe things without a basis. Our basis for our belief is historical documentation. Once something is “written”, it cannot be changed. What was written is a moment in time that has been recorded and it it an accurate piece of information that allows us to know what actually happened. The same Spirit of truth that caused the writers of Scripture to predict what would happen in the future, namely the coming of Messiah, is the same Spirit of truth who will lead us into all truth bringing to mind all of the things that have been written, causing us to have true peace of mind and a clear conscience.
Posted by: Daleri | February 10, 2008, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
To get an endorsement from the biggest nitwit ever to occupy ANY office, let alone the Oval Office, is SUCH a compliment! John McCain must be in full-swing spin control on this one. “How do I appear grateful when I’m really quivering at the reality that this moron thinks I’m capable???”
Posted by: Scott | February 10, 2008, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (1980) established the ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge). But someone forgot to tell GWBush before he stood infront of the cameras during a speech he made and spoke these words:”I think it is a good idea to start and build ANWR in the Artic, it’s beautiful country up there. You can all visit and see how beautiful the Artic country is.”
Posted by: Angela | February 10, 2008, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
Gee, McCain gets the stamp of approval for his conservatism from an avowed unconservative. Thanks for fiscal irresponsibility and big government, Georgie.
Posted by: Jake von HW | February 10, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Cowards
Posted by: Daleri | February 10, 2008, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
Bush is not a ‘true conservative’ and neither is McCain. Just like how Bush is NOT a real cowboy or from Texas! Both are real ‘Neo-Conservatives’ or Neo-Con Men though
Posted by: Bill Hicks | February 10, 2008, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
How is our dilemma worse than it was with the Depression, WWII, etc? As far as needing someone that can handle the issues of country’s security, what has the conservative regime have to do with it? And if that does make the difference, based on the past 7 years, I would rather the office be filled with 20 yards of concrete instead.
Posted by: ibedawon | February 10, 2008, 8:27 pm 8:27 pm
How quickly we forgot the deaths of our innocent loved ones during the attack in New York City. Shame on us. America needs a strong Commander-In-Chief with honest integrity and conviction to protect us from further attacks. Healthcare reform, political party affliliation, gay marriages, and the budget deficit won’t mean a hill of beans if we undergo another brutal surprise attack and lose our families and our neighborhoods. US has plenty of enemies. Don’t think it could ever happen again? Bet you never thought it would happen on 9/11 either.
Prioritize! Be sensible!
It’s refreshing to have politician who stands by his word. Thank God for Bush!
Middleclass workers, prepare for higher taxes if the Democrats take office…. they’re already screwing us over in the State of Maryland.
Posted by: joe | February 10, 2008, 9:12 pm 9:12 pm
I am eihty years old and have been part of many, many elections. Unfortunately, this one is like many, many of the others…..Not one canditate, on either side, that’s worth a damned.
Posted by: don | February 11, 2008, 2:19 am 2:19 am
The “mantle” has been passed and McCain is the approved Bush-clone going into the fall election.
The Chimp is secure in knowing that McCain would continue his failures. This is the chimp’s stamp of approval and it tells me all I need to know about McCain.
Posted by: JL | February 11, 2008, 8:42 am 8:42 am
Bush’s endorsement of McCain is the Kiss of Death.
America is waking up to the fact McCain (and Hillary) are a seamless continuation of the status quo and four more years of non-representative government by Special Interests.
Posted by: x32792 | February 11, 2008, 9:32 am 9:32 am
Sen McCain, fire Juan Hernandez.
Posted by: We the Sheeple | February 11, 2008, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
QUESTION: the people have voted for McCain – Millions – because of what he stands for yet we have a snall group of people who claim they know better than the people – I have never heard such crap in my life – Delay – etc. — since when does our selection have to bow down to these creeps and their adjendas?
I hope McCain hangs in there if he changes for these bums I will not vote for him.
John where were these guys when you were losing – did they come to you and say let me help you (NO) Now that the PEOPLE VOTED they are tryiong to change what got you here.
JOHN tell them all to get lost – that what is wrong with our country — theses bums
Posted by: a citizen | February 11, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm
McCain will win the Republican nomination you can bet on that and he will win the election with vote rigging firmly in place now. Then all the dissidents like me will be rounded up for the detention camps if they can get me alive, I doubt that. Weapons trained is an advantage!
Posted by: Richard Neva | March 3, 2008, 6:01 am 6:01 am