Washington - President George W Bush called Republican
presidential hopeful John McCain the candidate who 'understands the
lessons' of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, according to
excerpts released ahead of his address to the party convention
Tuesday.
Bush was set to speak later Tuesday by satellite to convention
delegates gathered in St Paul, Minnesota. He was originally to appear
in person on Monday but cancelled the visit due to Hurricane Gustav's
arrival on the Gulf Coast.
Bush will make the case that McCain is an independent thinker who
is best able to lead the country in a time of war, according to
excerpts of the speech released by the White House.
'We live in a dangerous world. And we need a president who
understands the lessons of September 11, 2001: that to protect
America, we must stay on the offense, stop attacks before they
happen, and not wait to be hit again,' Bush said.
'John McCain's life has prepared him to make those choices. He is
ready to lead this nation,' he said.
Republicans have hammered Democratic presidential nominee Barack
Obama, who was elected to the Senate in 2004, for being unprepared to
lead the country. Bush makes no specific references to Obama in the
excerpts provided.
With Bush's approval ratings hovering below 30 per cent, the
McCain campaign has been keeping the president at arms-length in the
campaign. McCain has appeared publicly with Bush only once - at a
private fundraiser - since the president endorsed him in March.
Hurricane Gustav forced Bush to cancel his appearance Monday at
the convention, but his speech via satellite on Tuesday will still be
closely watched.
Bush was to headline a convention night that includes independent
Senator Joe Lieberman, a one-time Democratic vice presidential
candidate, and actor and former presidential candidate Fred Thompson.
Democrats used their own convention last week in Denver, Colorado,
to link McCain's policies to those of the Bush presidency, arguing
that McCain simply brings 'more of the same.'
'The man George Bush needs may be John McCain, but the change
America needs is Barack Obama,' Obama campaign manager David Plouffe
said in a statement Tuesday.
The McCain campaign has touted their candidate's long-held
reputation as a maverick unafraid to go against his own party, and
Bush alludes to that reputation in his speech.
'John is an independent man who thinks for himself. Hes not afraid
to tell you when he disagrees,' Bush said, according to the excerpts.
'No matter what the issue, this man is honest and speaks straight
from the heart.'
While Bush was unable to attend, his father and former president
George HW Bush received a long standing ovation as he entered the
convention hall with his wife, Barbara.
The former president did not address the convention, but the party
did run a video tribute of Bush, as well as of former Republican
presidents and icons Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald
Reagan.
McCain will accept the Republican Party's nomination on Thursday.
USA
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