McCain is 'ready to lead:' Bush

AFP, September, 2008

ST PAUL, Minnesota (AFP) — US President George W. Bush urged Republicans to rally around John McCain, anointing his chosen successor in a move which could prove both a blessing and curse.

Bush declared that McCain "understands the lessons" of the September 11, 2001 attacks, including the need to "stay on the offense" against terrorists, and called him "one senator above all" in his support for the war in Iraq.

"He is ready to lead this nation," Bush said in a message via a video link from the White House to the convention in St Paul, Minnesota.

Republicans had originally planned that the outgoing president would bid farewell at the end of his eight-year term in a 15-minute address from the convention floor on Monday.

But Hurricane Gustav, which hit...