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Bush: McCain needed to defend America

03/09/2008

George Bush has backed John McCain to replace him as president and defend the United States against its enemies.

In a video-link address to the Republican convention in St Paul, Minnesota, Mr Bush said Mr McCain was "ready to lead this nation".

Arizona senator Mr McCain, 72, is due to accept his party's nomination for the White House on Thursday.

On the presumptive nominee's orders the convention was scaled back at the beginning of the week due to uncertainty in Louisiana over the impact of Hurricane Gustav.

Mr Bush's own appearance at the convention had to be cancelled as he flew to the region.

Speaking from the White House last night he hailed Mr McCain as a "great American and the next president".

"I know the hard choices that fall solely to the president," Mr Bush continued.

"John McCain's life has prepared him to make those choices; he is ready to lead this nation."

Mr Bush added that Mr McCain's independent character had helped to 'change history' following his support of the president's troop surge strategy in Iraq.

"We live in a dangerous world," the president said.

"We need a president who understands the lessons of the attacks of September 11th 2001, that to protect America we must stay on the offensive to stop attacks before they happen and not wait to be hit again.

"The man we need is John McCain."

Also addressing the convention last night was former Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman.

Explaining away the presence of a Democrat at a Republican convention, the former running-mate of Al Gore said: "I'm here to support John McCain because country matters more than party."

On Democratic White House nominee Barack Obama, Mr Lieberman added that "eloquence is no substitute for a record".

Later today Mr McCain's running-mate Sarah Palin will address the convention to accept her nomination for VP.