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Bush Plays Pundit-In-Chief, Embraces McCain
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ShareFebruary 10, 2008 10:33 AM
ABC 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."
February 10, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan | Permalink | User Comments (38)
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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 | Feb 10, 2008 12:12:46 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 | Feb 10, 2008 12:16:43 PM
That settles it, IF Bush endorses McCain, then McCain is the enemy.
Posted by: Patriot2008 | Feb 10, 2008 12:21:37 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 | Feb 10, 2008 12:23:20 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 | Feb 10, 2008 12:25:00 PM
Imagine applying for a job, and using Bush as your reference.
Posted by: Nelly | Feb 10, 2008 12:29:54 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 | Feb 10, 2008 12:32:01 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 | Feb 10, 2008 12:39:28 PM
Well, it takes one to know one! BUSH - MCCAIN - TWO PEAS IN A POD!
Posted by: Allan J Krueger | Feb 10, 2008 12:46:37 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 | Feb 10, 2008 12:54:49 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 | Feb 10, 2008 1:06:24 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 | Feb 10, 2008 1:16:34 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 | Feb 10, 2008 1:23:29 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 | Feb 10, 2008 1:38:35 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 | Feb 10, 2008 1:42:55 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 | Feb 10, 2008 1:55:38 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 | Feb 10, 2008 1:57:33 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 | Feb 10, 2008 2:01:04 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 | Feb 10, 2008 2:01:52 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 | Feb 10, 2008 2:17:13 PM
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